Arena of Valor’s 10th anniversary celebration reached a major milestone as the Arena of Valor Premier League (APL) 2026 concluded with unforgettable championship matches, record-breaking fan engagement, and a glimpse into the future of the iconic MOBA. Held across Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, Vietnam, the tournament delivered world-class esports competition while unveiling new collaborations, immersive experiences, and ambitious plans that will shape Arena of Valor’s next decade.
More than 5,000 fans gathered throughout the festivities, making APL 2026 one of the franchise’s largest celebrations to date and reinforcing Arena of Valor’s position as one of Southeast Asia’s premier mobile esports titles.
Relove Deep Cross Gaming Claims the Arena of Valor Premier League 2026 Championship
The biggest story of APL 2026 was the remarkable championship run of Relove Deep Cross Gaming (DCG) from the Garena Challenger Series (GCS), who defeated Thailand’s Bacon Time in a thrilling 4-2 Grand Finals victory.
The title marked an impressive turnaround for DCG after an inconsistent international campaign earlier in the year. Throughout the tournament, the squad steadily improved, eliminating several tournament favorites before capturing one of Arena of Valor’s most prestigious international championships.
Their road to victory included wins over:
- Saigon Phantom (Arena of Glory runner-up)
- Full Sense (RoV Premier League runner-up)
- Bacon Time in the Upper Bracket Finals
- Bacon Time once again in the Grand Finals
Although Bacon Time mounted a spirited comeback after falling behind in the championship series, DCG maintained its composure to close out the match and keep its hopes of completing a historic 2026 Grand Slam alive.
APL Queens Showdown Crowns Its First-Ever Champions
APL 2026 also introduced a landmark moment for women’s Arena of Valor esports with the debut of the APL Queens Showdown.
Following the launch of regional women’s leagues earlier this year, the inaugural international competition brought together the best female teams from the Arena of Glory (AOG), RoV Premier League (RPL), and Garena Challenger Series (GCS).
Thailand’s eArena emerged victorious after defeating One Star Esports by a score of 4-2, becoming the first-ever champions of the APL Queens Showdown.
The tournament highlighted the rapid growth of women’s Arena of Valor esports and demonstrated the increasing investment in competitive opportunities across Southeast Asia.
Finals MVPs Deliver Championship Performances
DCG’s championship run was led by XCEN, whose outstanding mechanical skill and clutch performances throughout the tournament earned him the APL 2026 Finals MVP award.
The recognition adds another major accolade to his growing resume after previously earning Finals MVP honors in both the AoV Campus Series and GCS Spring 2026.
Meanwhile, EA Miralyy was named the APL Queens Showdown Finals MVP, thanks to her versatility, extensive hero pool, and consistently impactful performances that powered eArena’s championship campaign.
APL 2026 Best Lineup
- DCG XCEN
- DCG Weiyu
- DCG Xinchen
- DCG YouLun
- DCG Yaooo
APL Queens Showdown Best Lineup
- EA Leonellus
- EA Miralyy
- EA WHATIF
- EA Pakkad
- EA knox
Arena of Valor’s 10th Anniversary Celebration Goes Beyond Esports
While the championship matches were the centerpiece, APL 2026 transformed into a full-scale gaming festival that celebrated Arena of Valor’s decade-long journey.
For the first time, the Grand Finals featured a free outdoor festival that welcomed both ticket holders and walk-in visitors.
Fans enjoyed:
- Interactive game booths
- Cosplay showcases
- Artist performances
- Exclusive merchandise and giveaways
- Outdoor live viewing areas
- Community activities celebrating Arena of Valor’s history
The event opened with a live performance of “Valor Rises,” the official APL 2026 theme song, performed by Vietnamese rookie group UPRIZE, setting the stage for the championship showdown.
Garena Reveals AOVision and New Dandadan Collaboration
Garena also used APL 2026 as the platform to unveil several exciting announcements for Arena of Valor’s anniversary celebrations.
Among the biggest reveals was AOVision, which made its debut during a mid-year Arena of Valor tournament for the very first time.
The publisher also announced an upcoming collaboration with the hit anime Dandadan, continuing Arena of Valor’s tradition of crossover events that introduce new content and experiences for players.
These announcements signal that the game’s 10th anniversary celebration is far from over, with additional campaigns and esports events expected throughout the remainder of 2026.
Kingdom of Valor Brings Arena of Valor to Life
Beyond the esports arena, Garena expanded the celebration into the real world through The Kingdom of Valor, Arena of Valor’s first-ever large-scale themed attraction.
Running from July 13 to July 26, the immersive collaboration with Sun World Ba Na Hills transforms one of Vietnam’s most famous tourist destinations into a fantasy world inspired by Arena of Valor.
Visitors can explore themed installations, interactive experiences, live performances, and exclusive anniversary activities while discovering hidden clues connected to AOVision and the ongoing anniversary campaign.
The attraction has also welcomed numerous professional players, esports personalities, content creators, artists, and casters from Vietnam and Thailand, turning the venue into a major gathering point for the Arena of Valor community.
Arena of Valor’s Biggest Anniversary Celebration Continues
As Arena of Valor celebrates a decade of competitive gaming, APL 2026 showcased how the franchise continues to evolve beyond traditional esports.
From crowning new international champions to launching women’s global competition, unveiling new collaborations, and creating immersive fan experiences, Garena demonstrated its commitment to growing the Arena of Valor ecosystem for both competitive players and casual fans alike.
With additional anniversary campaigns still on the horizon, Arena of Valor’s milestone year is only gaining momentum as the game enters its next chapter.
