- Four Filipino teams — Elevate, Alula Club, Team StarMagic, and SKAERI — secure half of Group Stage slots
- Top two finishers will qualify directly for the Group Stage of the 2026 Garena Qualifier (CODM WC Stage 4)
- Creator Support Programme opens sign-ups for aspiring talent
The stage is set for an intense regional showdown as Call of Duty: Mobile – Garena Summer Invitational (GSI) 2026 officially kicks off its Group Stage this Friday, April 24. Eight of Southeast Asia’s top teams—including four from the Philippines—are battling it out for a $60,000 prize pool and coveted slots in the 2026 Garena Qualifier (CODM World Championship Stage 4).
Philippines fields a powerhouse lineup
Carrying the Philippine flag into the Group Stage are Elevate, Alula Club, Team StarMagic, and SKAERI, all set to face off against regional contenders Rejects, XenonGang, Three Evil Dragons, and EL Tantrum.
Leading the charge is Elevate, the tournament’s defending champions and reigning Garena Masters X winners, who also secured the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2024 title—cementing their status as one of the region’s most dominant squads. Meanwhile, Team StarMagic and SKAERI earned their spots through the highly competitive Play-In Stage, rising above a 12-team field to join invited teams Elevate and Alula Club.
Road to global competition
GSI 2026 serves as a crucial proving ground ahead of the global qualifiers. The top two teams will secure direct entry into the Group Stage of the Garena Qualifier, bringing them one step closer to the world championship stage.
The Group Stage runs from April 24 and May 1–3, streaming live on official Garena CODM channels. Matches begin at 6 PM (GMT+8) on weekdays and 4 PM (GMT+8) on weekends. The top three teams will advance to the Playoffs, culminating in a highly anticipated Grand Finals on May 24 at the SMX Aura Convention Center—marking the first offline regional CODM tournament to be hosted in the Philippines.
Summer Festival 2026: More than just esports
Beyond the competition, Summer Festival 2026 promises a full weekend of gaming and community engagement. Headlined by the Garena Elite Philippines (GEP) Finals on May 23 and the GSI Grand Finals on May 24, the event will bring together fans, players, and creators for a celebration of esports culture.
Aspiring content creators can also step into the spotlight through the Creator Support Programme, sharing the stage with well-known personalities like Myrtle Sarrosa and Doc Z. Participants will gain access to the CODM Creator Launchpad, a platform that has helped develop over 200 creators, including rising names such as Kidlat Gaming and Imzone.
A defining moment for Philippine esports
With a strong roster, proven champions, and home-ground advantage for the finals, the Philippines is poised to make a major impact in GSI 2026. As the competition unfolds, all eyes are on whether local teams can once again dominate the regional stage—and push closer to global glory.
