Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- The SNK World Championship 2026 returns with a massive US$4.1 million prize pool, featuring popular titles like Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, The King of Fighters XV, Samurai Shodown, and Art of Fighting 3.
- Qualifying tournaments for the grand finals start on January 29, 2026, with points earned in qualifiers being convertible into cash prizes at a rate of 1 point to US$1.
- Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will have 32 slots for the Grand Final, while details on slot divisions for The King of Fighters XV and Samurai Shodown will be announced later.
- Art of Fighting 3 will follow the Open Tournament model from the previous year, with online qualifiers held across nine regions worldwide. More information about the scheduling, regions, and online rankings for The King of Fighters XV and Samurai Shodown is yet to be shared.
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SNK World Championship 2026 Returns with US$4.1 Million Prize Pool and Expanded Game Lineup
SNK announced today the SNK World Championship 2026 (SWC 2026), a global tournament featuring top players from its fighting game titles. As in the 2025 edition, SWC 2026 will include Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, The King of Fighters XV, Samurai Shodown, and Art of Fighting 3. Qualifying tournaments begin January 29, 2026, and will award slots in the grand finals. The total prize pool for the championship, including both qualifiers and finals, is US$4.1 million. All points earned in qualifying tournaments (excluding LCQ) will be converted into cash prizes at a rate of 1 point to US$1. Prize values are subject to change based on legal or regulatory requirements in host countries. Complete competition regulations are available on the official SWC 2026 website. The first official SWC 2026 event will be held on January 29 at Frosty Faustings XVIII 2026 in Illinois, USA. A complete list of participating events can also be found on the event page.
Expanded SNK World Championship 2026 Features Slots for Fatal Fury, Open Tournament for Art of Fighting 3, Details on The King of Fighters XV and Samurai Shodown Coming Soon
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will have 32 slots for the Grand Final. SNK will announce slot divisions for The King of Fighters XV and Samurai Shodown at a later date. Art of Fighting 3 will follow the Open Tournament model, as in 2025. Online qualifiers for Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves will be held across nine regions worldwide. Winners will receive slots and ranking points. SNK will share details regarding the scheduling, regions, and online rankings for The King of Fighters XV and Samurai Shodown at a later date. For more information about SWC 2026, visit the official event site.