introducing the six invitational 2026 last chance qualifiers

As Stage 2 of BLAST R6 has just begun and the Munich Major is coming this November, the season is heating up as teams prepare for a chance to get their SI points and earn a coveted spot at the upcoming Six Invitational 2026. The 16 best teams across all regions will qualify through various ways throughout the end of the season, while the remaining 4 spots will be up for grabs through a series of Open Qualifiers in December.

Open to all, the Six Invitational Open Qualifiers format is changing this year, going from 3 phases to 2. The Open Phase and the Playoff Phase across North America, South America, Europe & MENA, and finally APL with teams from North, Asia, OCE and for the first time teams from Chinese Mainland.

The top 3 teams from each region that did not qualify for SI are invited to go directly to the Playoffs, competing against Open Phase teams and the best T2 team in Tournaments Ranking. T2 are now just a few matches away from qualifying to SI.

Registrations will be shared at a later date, stay tuned!

north america

open phase

Dates:

1. December 6 and 7, 2025
2. December 20 and 21, 2025

Format:

• 2 Open Qualifiers BO1, Semifinals BO3
• Finalists of each Qualify, qualifies to Playoff Phase

playoff phase

Dates:

• January 9, 10 and 11, 2026

Format:

• Double Elimination 8 teams BO3

• 4 teams from Open Phase

• 1 team from T2 Tournaments Ranking

• 3 teams from T1 with the top SI points outside of the Top 16

• Winner will qualify for SI

Broadcast:

• Day 1: Co-stream - Starting 01:00 UTC / 21:00 ET

• Day 2: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 21:00 UTC / 17:00 ET

• Day 3: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 20:00 UTC / 16:00 ET

asia-pacific

open phase

Dates:

1. December 6 and 7, 2025
2. December 20 and 21, 2025

Format:

• 2 Open Qualifiers BO1, Semifinals BO3 in each subregion
• Winner of each Qualify in each subregion plays a final match to move to Playoff Phase

playoff phase

Dates:

• January 16, 17 and 18, 2026

Format:

• Double Elimination 8 teams BO3

• 1 OPEN team + 1 T1 team from North

• 1 OPEN team + 1 T1 team from Asia

• 1 OPEN teams + 1 T1 team from OCE

• /+ 2 teams from Chinese Mainland
• Winner Qualify for SI

Broadcast:

• Day 1: Co-stream - Starting 03:00 UTC / 12:00 JST
• Day 2: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 01:00 UTC / 10:00 JST
• Day 3: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 03:00 UTC / 12:00 JST

europe and mena

open phase

Dates:

1. December 13 and 14, 2025
2. December 20 and 21, 2025

Format:

• 2 Open Qualifiers BO1, Semifinals BO3
• Finalists of each Qualify, qualifies to Playoff Phase

playoff phase

Dates:

• January 9, 10 and 11, 2026

Format:

• Double Elimination 8 teams BO3
• 4 teams from Open Phase
• 1 team from T2 Tournaments Ranking

• 3 teams from T1 with the top SI points outside of the Top 16

• Winner Qualify for SI

Broadcast:

• Day 1: Co-stream - Starting 18:00 UTC / 20:00 CET
• Day 2: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 09:00 UTC / 11:00 CET
• Day 3: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 13:00 UTC / 15:00 CET

south america

open phase

Dates:

1. December 13 and 14, 2025
2. December 20 and 21, 2025

Format:

• 2 Open Qualifiers BO1, Semifinals BO3
• Finalists of each Qualify, qualifies to Playoff Phase

playoff phase

Dates:

• January 16,17 and 18, 2026

Format:

• Double Elimination 8 teams BO3.
• 4 teams from Open Phase
• 1 team from T2 Tournaments Ranking

• 3 teams from T1 (the best-ranked teams by SI points without an automatic spot)

• Winner Qualify for SI

Broadcast:

• Day 1: Co-stream - Starting 21:00 UTC / 18:00 BRT
• Day 2: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 13:00 UTC / 10:00 BRT
• Day 3: Ubisoft official Channel and Co-stream - Starting 16:00 UTC / 13:00 BRT

stay in touch

Don't miss anything about Rainbow Six Esports by following us on X at @R6esports and @Rainbow6Game, Instagram and on our website.

Subscribe on Twitch or YouTube and follow the competition.