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An updated format and higher expectations lead to a strong start to the HoK competitive season.
It’s time for the mightiest HoK teams in the world to clash anew as the 2026 competitive season kicks off with KIS S4. The HoK Invitational Series brings together eight star-studded teams to Jakarta, Indonesia, to see who can start the season strong and claim the first Major of the year.
Starting January 31, eight teams will be divided into two groups to play in a single round robin best-of-five matches. It’s not just a simple random draw however, as the two teams with the highest Star Value Ranking will be seeded into opposite groups. The two will then alternate picking teams into their group, adding a layer of strategy to the process.
No eliminations yet in this stage but it’s still important as it’ll determine the pairings for the Knockout Stage. The Knockouts will be a single elimination bracket where every match is a best-of-seven. The top two teams from each group will be seeded at the opposite ends of the bracket while the bottom two from each group will be up for selection. Teams that were in the same group cannot play against each other in the first round of Knockouts.
HoK’s tried and tested Global Ban-pick System and Ultimate Battle are in effect throughout the tournament. This means that adaptability and consistency are key if a team wants to become the KIS S4 champions.
A Fresh Start But With Higher Expectations
It should come as no surprise that the KIS S4 team with the highest Star Vale Ranking is the Philippines’ Blacklist International, with BOOM Esports at third. The two impressed everyone throughout the 2025 season, consistently proving that they are world class competitors. And although both teams fell short in reaching the podium in KIC 2025, their performance put the Philippines on the competitive HoK map.
Expectations are high for the two Filipino representatives, to say the least. More so for Blacklist as they finished third in KIS S3. With how much the Codebreakers leveled up throughout 2025, many feel that the KIS S4 championship is within reach.
Of course, they still have to contend with Malaysia’s Nova Esports, the KIC S3 champions. Malaysia continues to be the titans of HoK esports but they’re not invulnerable. We saw multiple times last year that Malaysian teams can bleed. It’s just a matter of whether Blacklist or BOOM have what it takes to go all the way this year.
Banner photo from Blacklist International.