Five games that could be huge for esports in 2026

The esports scene is an ever-changing, ever-growing industry, but without new games and new content for existing ones, it would quickly become stale. As games like Fortnite and League of Legends consistently reinvent themselves with new modes and fresh content, plenty of developers are currently creating new titles that could fit well in esports.

As we pass the halfway mark in 2025, new games have been announced that could make their mark in esports once they’re out on consoles and PC. With this in mind, we’ve picked five games that could be huge for esports in 2026.

Not every game is a good fit for esports, but some are developed with the scene in mind, such as Capcom’s Street Fighter 6. Here’s our list of criteria games need to meet to find success at esports events:

If a game meets the above criteria, there’s a good chance it will appear at esports events. However, there are other factors too, such as the gameplay being fun and interesting, as well as offering something different from other games. These factors are arguably essential for every game, but for tournaments where many players and millions of viewers are watching, new games must offer something fresh for esports to thrive.

In a surprise announcement at Sony’s State of Play event on June 4, developer Arc System Works revealed its next game, a 2.5D 4v4 fighting title called Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls. Some fans in the esports scene have unofficially called this game ‘Marvel vs Capcom 4’, as it’s very reminiscent of Capcom’s crossover brawler. From the trailer, Arc System Works looks to be drawing from its past titles of Dragon Ball FighterZ, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, and Guilty Gear Strive, with devastating attacks that take players from one stage to another, impressive artwork that draws on some anime influences, and much more.

Already, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls is drawing a lot of excitement from fans in esports, as it looks like it’s pulling the best of what Marvel vs. Capcom brought, such as its fighting styles and varied characters, with the developer’s fast-paced action and understanding of certain worlds. The game could be a smash hit for esports when it lands on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC next year.

Developed by Riot Games of VALORANT and League of Legends (LoL), 2XKO is a 2v2 tag-team fighting game set to launch later this year on Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and PC. The game will initially feature 10 characters from the LoL world, such as Ahri, Jinx, and more, all with their abilities to put the match in their favour. The game is an interesting move from Riot Games, leveraging the characters from LoL in a different genre entirely, all within an impressively looking comic-book art style.

There have been several playtests held over the past 18 months, with fans enjoying the fast-paced gameplay and the tag-team attacks. 2XKO feels like a shoo-in for esports events, especially with Riot Games at the wheel. You can see the game being featured at LoL events to start with, followed by having its tournaments, much like how LoL and VALORANT. It’s Riot Games essentially throwing down the gauntlet in the fighting-game genre, expanding the LoL brand into a fresh new space. Whether this move works in the long term, time will tell, but initially, 2XKO is a promising fighter that could be a match for Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 at several esports events worldwide.

VALORANT Mobile is again a title developed by Riot Games, a free-to-play 5v5 first-person shooter, a direct spin-off of its console counterpart, originally released in 2018. This mobile version was re-announced via X in April 2025, after falling silent since its original April 2021 reveal. Granted, VALORANT Mobile falls into the mobile esports category, but it’s a symbiotic category of esports. Every game benefits the industry as a whole, and with mobile esports reportedly bringing in $139.2 billion in 2024, it’s not an area to ignore.

Having a title that’s a direct port of its console and PC counterpart with no compromises could be a big draw for mobile players, as, similar to Fortnite, they could take their progress anywhere without being tethered to a console or PC. For esports players worldwide, this could also be appealing, saving them from having to bring these devices to several tournaments, and instead bringing their iPhone or Android phones. Overall, VALORANT Mobile could be the seismic push for mobile esports in 2026, further cementing it as a category that more players and organisers should consider.

Granted, developer Bungie recently announced its free-to-play first-person shooter, Marathon, has been delayed for the foreseeable future due to player feedback. But this could turn out to be a great opportunity for esports and Bungie in 2026. For those unaware, Marathon is one of the developer’s earliest titles, seen as a spiritual predecessor to Halo. First debuting in 1994 for Mac OS, it featured both a single-player campaign and multiplayer modes, with its narrative themes being timely in 2025, such as rampant AI technologies potentially taking over the world.

For this new entry, Bungie has players in a variety of PvE, PvP, and solo matches, where they must collect loot in extraction missions, while taking on a vast number of aliens and hazardous objects. Marathon’s delay was due to various factors, from art plagiarism, reports of Bungie’s leadership being rudderless on the game, and much more. For the coming months, the developer has a chance to re-do what Marathon can be, and draw on what made the original trilogy so successful in the mid-90s. On the surface, Marathon is a fun game to start with, but without something to make it different from others like VALORANT, Call of Duty, and even Halo, Marathon stands at the cliff-edge of being regarded as something fantastic or an eternal disappointment.

After being heavily rumoured and then leaked in 2024, developer Valve finally announced Deadlock, its early access 6v6 team-based MOBA third-person shooter, in April that year. Currently available by invitation, the game pits 12 players as one of 30 ‘heroes’ in each match with their unique abilities. The two teams are required to push computer-controlled ‘troopers’ down one of three lanes on the map, and destroy the other team’s stronghold called the ‘Patron’. The art style is reminiscent of Team Fortress 2, another of Valve’s titles, but with a touch of fantasy and comic book intertwined in the manic 6v6 team matches.

Deadlock could make a sizeable impact in the esports scene by the fresh gameplay tropes it offers that others don’t, such as the gameplay to ‘push’ troopers down these lanes, an unheard gameplay design trope that you won’t find in any popular esports games currently. Valve also has the funds to create a huge Deadlock community, with tournaments and social events that could eclipse its previous efforts for Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2. There’s also the matter of Steam Deck, Valve’s gaming handheld. They could have Deadlock as a pre-installed game for future Steam Deck models, as well as making the game tailor-made for the handheld, further broadening its appeal for new players. From this early stage that Deadlock is in with its positive reception already, we wouldn’t be surprised if the game is a huge success for esports events once it’s made available for everyone. 

The five games we’ve listed each have their potential to be massive successes for the esports industry. From the impressive Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls to the refocused Marathon, several esports tournaments this time next year could feature well over half of the above titles.

Having something fresh will be crucial for esports to grow further. While it’s great to have long-established franchises like Call of Duty and League of Legends, it’s always beneficial for players and viewers alike to try out games that offer something different in gameplay and graphics.