HOK Philippines kicks off 2026 with KIS4, Asian Games push, and PKL expansion

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HOK PH enters 2026 with KIS4, Asian Games national qualifiers, and the expansion of PKL Spring.

Honor of Kings Philippines has revealed its plans for 2026, including both local and international events. The game’s esports scene is getting bigger, expanding from the Kings Invitational League Season 4 to include the 2026 Asian Games and a more extensive Philippine Kings League. With this growth, the level of competition will also increase.

That said, here is a rundown of what HOK has in store for fans in the Philippines this 2026.

Blacklist International and BOOM Esports to represent PH at KIS4

Blacklist International and BOOM Esports will be competing for the Philippines at the KIS4 esports tournament in Jakarta, Indonesia, from January 31st to February 18th, 2026. They’ll be up against the best teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Major East League, all vying for the championship.

Because Blacklist and BOOM demonstrated strong teamwork and sportsmanship, they were allowed to choose which teams they’d face in their groups. The tournament will start with a group stage where each team plays every other team once, in a best-of-five match. The top two teams from each group will then move on to a knockout stage, where matches are best-of-seven. In this stage, teams can strategically pick who they want to compete against.

PKL Spring 2026 expands to 10 teams

On the domestic front, PKL Spring 2026 is undergoing a major expansion.

The league is expanding to include ten teams, an increase from the previous eight. This change is due to the rising popularity of Honor of Kings in the Philippines and a larger number of players.

The expanded lineup will consist of:

  • Six invited teams
  • Four teams qualifying through the HoK Open Series Split 5

The Open Series will be held from January 24th to February 1st, offering a direct route for new teams to qualify for the country’s premier HoK competition. HoK Esports Philippines will soon announce which teams and organizations have been invited through their official social media and website.

SIBOL National Qualifier determines PH representatives for Asian Games 2026

Earlier this month, the Philippines showcased its national pride during the SIBOL National Qualifier. This competition decided which team would represent the country at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Three strong teams – Blacklist International, BOOM Esports, and TNT Tropang Alab – competed for the chance to represent the Philippines on the world stage.

Blacklist International won the competition and earned a place in the Asian Games 2026. Following this win, Gerald “Tgee” Gelacio was appointed as the head coach for the Philippine Honor of Kings national team. He will now be in charge of selecting and training the team that will compete later this year.

A pivotal year ahead for HoK PH esports

2026 promises to be a landmark year for Honor of Kings in the Philippines, with major international competitions, a rapidly expanding local league, and the added attention from the Asian Games all on the horizon.

Filipino athletes will have many chances to compete and showcase their skills in both international events, like those in Jakarta and Aichi-Nagoya, and through the growing opportunities within the Philippines’ own PKL league, which is helping to develop the next generation of players.

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2026-02-02 20:43