The next generation of Filipino Honor of Kings esports stars has officially taken center stage.
Following weeks of intense competition involving more than 81,000 registered players from across the Philippines, Mitsura of House Kartelle emerged victorious at the Honor of Kings Rising Star Cup 2026, defeating 1-of-1 Nine Lives of House KierlArmy in a thrilling five-game championship series.
Held on June 27 at Lucky Chinatown Mall Cinema 1 in Manila, the Grand Finals celebrated not only the tournament’s new champion but also the continued growth of grassroots esports in the Philippines.
Honor of Kings Rising Star Cup 2026 Draws Over 81,000 Players
The Honor of Kings Rising Star Cup 2026 attracted an impressive 81,828 registered players during its registration period, highlighting the rapidly expanding Honor of Kings community in the country.
Designed as a creator-led grassroots competition, the tournament gave aspiring players from across the Philippines an opportunity to compete in a structured esports environment while representing their chosen House.
The event showcased Honor of Kings’ continued investment in developing local esports talent by providing a clear competitive pathway from amateur competition to a live championship stage.
Mitsura Claims the Championship in a Nail-Biting Grand Final
The tournament reached its climax with an exciting Best-of-5 Grand Final, where Mitsura of House Kartelle faced 1-of-1 Nine Lives of House KierlArmy.
After five closely contested games, Mitsura secured the championship with a 3-2 series victory, capping off an impressive tournament run and earning the title of Honor of Kings Rising Star Cup 2026 Champion.
The packed audience at Lucky Chinatown Mall witnessed an intense finale that showcased the high level of talent emerging from the Philippine Honor of Kings community.
A Unique House-Based Tournament Format
One of this year’s biggest highlights was the introduction of a House-based tournament system, giving players a fresh way to compete while rallying behind their favorite creators and communities.
Participants selected one of four Houses before entering the competition:
- House BuNo, led by Butters and Chano, represented by Team The Bayawak
- House Kartelle, led by Karl and Chantelle, represented by Team Mitsura
- House BooGie, led by Sh1nboo and Dogie, represented by Team CODE UNKNOWN X VALKYRA
- House KierlArmy, led by Oheb and Dlar, represented by Team 1OF1 NINE LIVES
The House system encouraged friendly rivalries while strengthening community engagement throughout the tournament.
From Open Trials to the Grand Finals
The Rising Star Cup followed a multi-stage competition format that tested teams throughout June.
The tournament began with the House Open Trial, held from June 8 to 14, where teams battled for a chance to represent their respective Houses.
The Top 4 teams from each House advanced to the House Breakout stage from June 18 to 21, competing in a Best-of-3 single-elimination bracket to determine each House Champion.
The four House Champions then advanced to the Semi-Finals, with the top two teams earning their place in the championship-deciding Best-of-5 Grand Final.
More Than a Tournament: A Celebration of the Honor of Kings Community
Beyond the competition itself, the live Grand Finals transformed Lucky Chinatown Mall into a gathering place for players, creators, and fans.
Supporters cheered for their respective Houses as online rivalries transitioned into an exciting offline event filled with community activities and live esports action.
By featuring popular gaming creators and professional esports personalities as House leaders, the Rising Star Cup strengthened connections between fans and the local Honor of Kings ecosystem while giving amateur players an opportunity to compete on a major stage.
Building the Future of Philippine Honor of Kings Esports
The Honor of Kings Rising Star Cup continues to demonstrate the game’s commitment to nurturing grassroots esports in the Philippines.
By offering an accessible competitive structure—from open qualifiers to an offline Grand Final—the tournament provides aspiring players with valuable tournament experience while helping identify future stars who may eventually compete at the highest levels of professional Honor of Kings esports.
With thousands of participants and growing community support, the Rising Star Cup has become an important stepping stone for the next generation of Filipino mobile esports talent.
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