UAAP kickstarts Season 89 with eSports tweaks

c/o UAAP

The UAAP Esports Tournament formally set the stage for its 2026 season with the unveiling of the group-stage draw for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, VALORANT, and SBP eFIBA, while introducing several changes aimed at further elevating the league’s collegiate esports competition.

For the first time, the league conducted a recorded group-stage draw attended by team representatives and tournament officials in the same venue.

The tournament will also move to its new home at the MVP Studios by Cignal in Mandaluyong City.

"This year, we'll see a few changes in the UAAP Esports. First, both the teams and the Tournament Officials were in one room during the recorded, first-ever UAAP Esports Group Stage Draw. Second, UAAP Esports found its new home; the MVP Studios by Cignal. Third, we will expect teams to be extra competitive this year to claim a back-to-back or a 3-peat."

UAAP Esports Commissioner Cherry Uy said the developments are part of the league’s continuing effort to improve the tournament beyond the matches themselves.

"The vision goes beyond organizing matches. We want UAAP Esports to be the benchmark for collegiate esports in the Philippines, and every season is an opportunity to raise the bar," said Uy.

"This season, there's greater emphasis on team experience, everyone's safety and welfare, and tournament integrity."

The draw immediately produced several intriguing group-stage matchups across the tournament’s three titles, with defending champions and former finalists finding themselves on a collision course early in the competition.

In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, all eyes will be on Group A, where four finalists from the past two UAAP seasons will battle for just two semifinal berths.

Defending champion De La Salle University headlines the group alongside reigning runner-up National University, third-place University of Santo Tomas, and inaugural champion University of the East.

Group B, meanwhile, features Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, Adamson University, and last season’s fourth-place finisher Far Eastern University.

The VALORANT tournament also produced a loaded Group B, where reigning champion La Salle will face runner-up FEU, bronze medalist University of the Philippines, and NU.

Group A consists of Adamson, UST, UE, and Ateneo, with the latter looking to improve on its third-place finish from last season.

Meanwhile, SBP eFIBA ushers in a major change this season after shifting from a 1-on-1 to a 5-on-5 format, presenting a fresh challenge for all eight participating schools.

Group A is composed of UST, NU, FEU, and UP, while Group B features La Salle, Adamson, UE, and defending champion Ateneo.

The 2026 edition marks another step in the UAAP’s continued investment in collegiate esports, combining enhanced tournament operations with highly competitive group-stage matchups as schools begin their quest for championships across the three game titles.

The MLBB tournament opens the season on August 9-12, followed by VALORANT on August 16-19. SBP eFIBA will conclude this year’s UAAP Esports festivities on August 23-26.