The inaugural week of the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has concluded, with three championships decided across VALORANT, Apex Legends, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. The event saw teams and individual players secure the first trophies of the competition.

100 Thieves claimed the VALORANT title, while UNLIMIT emerged victorious in Apex Legends. In the individual fighting game category, NAVI’s Luis Guadalupe “DarkAngel” Castillo Gomez secured his first major Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves championship.

Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves Sees DarkAngel’s Breakthrough

The first trophy of EWC 2026 was awarded in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves to Luis Guadalupe “DarkAngel” Castillo Gomez. Following previous close calls, including a third-place finish at last year’s EWC, DarkAngel defeated Virtus.Pro’s Kenta “mi2ha4” Ichihara 4-1 in the grand final. The win marked his first major title in the game.

“I’m extremely happy and extremely grateful, thank you for my team NAVI, and everyone in Latin America that follows me and supports me,” said Castillo Gomez following his victory. He became the first player to have his name engraved on the EWC Totem, signifying the start of the 2026 championship race.

NLIMIT Secures Apex Legends Title After Late Surge

In Apex Legends, the Japanese squad UNLIMIT, comprising Yulariman, Xtsuvi, and Peace, secured the championship at the ALGS Year 6 Split 1 Playoffs held during the EWC. After failing to place above ninth in the first six games of the match point finals, UNLIMIT won three of the final four games.

The decisive game 10 saw UNLIMIT face off against ZETA DIVISION. Peace secured the final eliminations, clinching the victory for his team. Peace was subsequently recognized with the Sony MVP award for his performance throughout the tournament, recording 39 finishes, 35 assists, and 50 knockouts.

“I thought this was a dream at first, after winning the last game, but the dream came true,” stated Peace.

100 Thieves Claims VALORANT Championship

The opening week concluded with 100 Thieves winning the VALORANT title at EWC 2026, marking the organization’s first international trophy in the game. Veteran player Peter “Asuna” Mazuryk, a long-standing member of the club, achieved his first major trophy with the newly formed 2026 roster.

100 Thieves maintained an undefeated run through the competition, overcoming teams such as Rex Regum Queon, BBL Esports, MIBR.LOS, and Nongshim RedForce. In the final, they defeated regional rival and reigning world champions NRG with a 3-1 score, securing the final round in overtime.

Matthew “Cryocells” Panganiban received the Sony MVP award for his tournament performance, which included 65 kills and 25 assists in the finals against NRG. “It feels really good… never stop believing in yourself and the people around you,” Panganiban commented after receiving his award.

Ongoing Competition and Club Championship Standings

While three champions have been crowned, the Esports World Cup 2026 continues with Dota 2, where teams are progressing through group and survival stages. Top contenders like Team Falcons, PVISION, and Team Yandex have secured strong positions, while Nigma Galaxy advanced despite a challenging season.

The battle for the Club Championship has also commenced. Clubs must achieve a top-eight finish in at least two titles to qualify for standings. Following Week 1, Team Vitality is the sole club on the Club Championship table, earning 400 points from top-five finishes in both VALORANT and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves. Further victories in Week 2 could see clubs like NAVI and 100 Thieves ascend the standings.

For more information on the ongoing Esports World Cup, visit the official EWC website. For additional insights into competitive gaming and the latest industry developments, keep an eye on TechnoSports.