Riot Games Philippines has unveiled its Wild Rift 2026 Roadmap, adding creator showmatches to this year’s Wild Rounds: SMASH tournament and introducing two new creator-focused programs, the Wild Rift Partner Program and the Nexus Elite Program. Registration for Split 2 of the local qualifier, Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open, is now open.
SMASH 2026, now in its third edition, will feature two tracks: the Community Champions Cup and the Creator Showmatches. The Community Champions Cup will be headlined by top players from each participating market, while winners of the Wild Rounds’ Creator Track will compete in the Creator Showmatches.
In the lead-up to SMASH 2026, Riot Games is holding playoffs for gaming communities and content creators from Brazil, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Türkiye.
In the Philippines, the Road to SMASH 2026 is being run through the local qualifier Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open, which started on June 4. Teams are currently competing in Split 1, running until July, with registration for Split 2 beginning on July 6. Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open will conclude on September 25 to 27, when the top eight teams from both splits will compete for a total prize pool of Php 1,000,000.
From August to September 2026, Riot Games will also open a separate creator track for Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open, challenging gaming creators in Wild Rift game modes including AARAM and 2v2.
Winners from Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open’s community and creator tracks will travel to South Korea in November to represent the Philippines at SMASH 2026.
Riot Games is also rolling out its 6C and 6D patch updates. 6C: Growing Us and 6D: Rhythms of Memory follow 6A: Ionia Celebrations and 6B: Wild Circuit, which were released in February and April.
Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open’s Split 1 is running on 6B: Wild Circuit. In July, Riot Games will release 6C: Growing Us, which will serve as the main patch for the Wild Rounds: Pilipinas Open qualifiers and Wild Rift’s anniversary celebration. 6D: Rhythms of Memory will follow by the end of September, ahead of the SMASH 2026 finals in South Korea.
The Wild Rift Partner Program gives members early-access information on the game’s updates through private Discord access, along with invitations to exclusive events and workshops.
The Nexus Elite is a select group of creators who will lead Wild Rift’s ecosystem in the Philippines. The roster includes cosplayers, casters, community leaders, competitive players, and up-and-coming names in the mobile gaming community, including OHMYV33NUS, WISE, Yamada, Karma, Guiang Gaming, Vannybear, Raux TV, Kapitan Pugo, Rebengga, Kitz Cua, Razziebinx, Trio Pebbles, Manjean, and Coach Rec.
“Filipinos are some of our most passionate Wild Rift players in the world,” said Lara Antonio, Wild Rift APAC Regional Community Lead.
“Their love for the game has inspired us to continue growing our Philippine ecosystem and open more doors to anyone who wants to take part in it. By bolstering our community competitions and connecting with creators of all sizes, we are confident that we will put more Filipino gaming talent on the map during SMASH 2026 and beyond.”
