Marvel Rivals has kicked off 2026 with a chaotic bang as Season 6: Night at the Museum officially launches today, January 16, 2026, bringing Deadpool into the fray alongside a wave of new content, systems, and community-focused features.
Developed by NetEase Games in partnership with Marvel Games, Marvel Rivals continues to evolve as one of the most dynamic team-based superhero shooters on the market, blending destructible environments, iconic Marvel characters, and high-octane competitive play across the Marvel Multiverse.
With Season 6, the game expands both its competitive depth and social experience—adding a new hero, upgraded progression systems, a fresh map on January 29, and even a live dueling arena in Times Square.
Deadpool Joins Marvel Rivals as a Triple-Role Hero
The headline addition of Season 6 is none other than Deadpool, who arrives as a triple-role hero capable of adapting across Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist playstyles depending on team needs and skill upgrades.
This flexibility makes him one of the most versatile characters in Marvel Rivals to date. However, to preserve competitive balance, only one Deadpool is allowed per team in Quick Play and Competitive modes.
Deadpool’s kit emphasizes unpredictability, fast-paced combat, and signature fourth-wall-breaking flair—making him a natural fit for Marvel Rivals’ frenetic battlefield design.
New Museum of Contemplation Map Arrives January 29
While Season 6 launches today, a major content drop follows on January 29, 2026, introducing a brand-new convoy map: Museum of Contemplation.
This map is designed around tight corridors, destructible exhibits, and vertical choke points—encouraging strategic positioning, coordinated pushes, and creative use of Team-Up Abilities.
Players can expect the environment itself to feel like an active participant in every match, in line with Marvel Rivals’ signature interactive level design.
Hero Proficiency Overhaul: Bigger Grind, Better Rewards
Season 6 brings a major upgrade to the Hero Proficiency system, raising the progression cap and significantly expanding rewards.
Players can now earn:
- Units
- Unstable Molecules
- Nameplates
- Titles
- Nameplate Frames
- Badges
- Dynamic Avatars
- And more
This makes mastery feel more meaningful while giving dedicated players plenty to chase beyond ranked placement alone.
New Accessories and College Student Perks
A fresh wave of adorable accessories arrives for a wide range of heroes, including:
- Deadpool
- Rogue
- Doctor Strange
- Mister Fantastic
- Squirrel Girl
- Iron Man
- Captain America
- Daredevil
- Black Panther
- Storm
Additionally, verified college students gain access to a rotating selection of 10 exclusive costumes and MVP animations. Students can verify using their education email to unlock these benefits.
Photo Mode and the Clobberin’ Club in Times Square
Season 6 introduces Photo Mode in Times Square, letting players:
- Adjust camera angles
- Apply filters
- Frame cinematic shots
- Capture epic moments
Then, with the January 29 update, Times Square expands with The Clobberin’ Club—a dedicated duel arena where players can challenge others head-to-head.
For a small Unit fee, these duels can even be broadcast live on massive Times Square screens, adding a new social and spectator layer to Marvel Rivals.
Bigger Rewards for Marvel Rivals Championship Factions
Competitive factions receive a major upgrade in Season 6.
- Top factions still earn cash prizes
- All participating factions can now earn Units, shared among members
- Nameplates and Sprays will be awarded to factions reaching Open Qualifiers
- MRC Nameplate Emblems have been redesigned to reflect more rankings and are now permanently saved
This strengthens the sense of identity and prestige within the Marvel Rivals competitive scene.
What Marvel Rivals Does Best
At its core, Marvel Rivals continues to stand out through:
- Three distinct hero roles: Vanguard, Duelist, and Strategist
- Dynamic Team-Up Abilities that reshape battles
- Fully destructible maps across the Marvel Multiverse
- Fast-paced, objective-driven gameplay
- Deep synergy between heroes
With Season 6, NetEase Games further refines this foundation while expanding both competitive and social engagement.
What’s Next for Marvel Rivals?
Players can expect ongoing updates, balance patches, and new seasonal content as Marvel Rivals grows throughout 2026.
Full patch notes and hero balance changes are available through the in-game Game Update section.
