The 2026 Korea e-Sports League (KEL) PUBG Mobile event kicks off on Saturday, April 18, at the Gyeongnam e-Sports Permanent Stadium in Jinju. The league opener is scheduled for Sunday, the 19th, at 3:00 PM.

Entering its second year, the KEL was launched last year with a clear goal: to foster local talent and sharpen the competitive edge of regional e-sports. The tournament is split into a preliminary stage and a final round, featuring a total of 16 teams.

This year’s 2026 KEL PUBG Mobile roster includes 14 regional teams: Daegu Gaming, Incheon Wave, GJ Qx, Daejeon Game PT, FN Sejong, Gyeonggi Nongshim RedForce, Chungnam CNJ, Jeonnam e-Sports, Gyeongbuk Ascenders, G.N Revenant Nova, Goyang Mir, Suwon e-Sports, Jecheon Phalanx, and Super Star Jeonju. Joining them are two partner teams, Dplus KIA and Kiwoom DRX, making for a 16-team showdown. The KEL aims to be more than just a training ground; it’s a hub for professional development and job creation. Expect to see offline matches hosted in partnership with local e-sports arenas in Busan, Gwangju, Gyeongnam (Jinju), and Daejeon.

Each day of the preliminary stage consists of six matches, with the top three teams earning points toward the final. The top 10 teams based on cumulative points from the first and second days will punch their ticket to the 2026 e-Sports Championship Asia (ECA), running from Friday, April 24, to Sunday, the 26th. Once we hit the finals, the winner will be crowned by combining points from the six-day preliminary stretch and individual match performance. The top two teams in the finals will secure a seed for the International Cup (BMIC). A total prize pool of 3,000,000 KRW is up for grabs, along with prestigious awards: the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award for 1st place, the Korea Creative Content Agency President Award for 2nd, and the KeSPA President Award for 3rd.

Entry to the opening match is absolutely free, with no booking required. Lucky spectators in the audience might even walk away with Sidiz GX gaming chairs or power banks during the post-match raffle. Casters Shim Ji-soo and Park Dong-jin will be calling the action for the first two days of the preliminaries. You can catch the live broadcast on the official KEL Naver Chzzk, SOOP, and YouTube channels, as well as the official PUBG Mobile e-sports YouTube channel.