PUBG Esports is transitioning to Shanghai, China, for the next phase of the 2026 competitive season. Circuit 3, which encompasses PGS 7, PGS 8, and PGS 9, will run from August 5 to August 23. This leg of the tour represents a critical shift in the race to qualify for PGC 2026, as every series from this point forward will award double the PGS Points compared to the first half of the year.
Quick Facts
- Dates: August 5–23, 2026
- Location: Shanghai, China
- Prize Pool: $500,000 total
- Teams: 24 (12 Global Partner Teams, 12 Regional Qualifiers)
- Points: Doubled PGS Points for all remaining series in 2026
Tournament Structure and Schedule
The circuit follows a progressive format where performance dictates seeding for subsequent stages. PGS 7 kicks off on August 5 with a Group Stage involving all 24 teams. From there, teams advance through Winners, Survival, and Final stages. PGS 8 skips the Group Stage, utilizing final standings from PGS 7 for initial seeding. The circuit concludes with PGS 9, where the top eight teams based on cumulative points from the previous two series earn a direct spot in the Grand Finals.
| Series | Dates | Key Stages |
|---|---|---|
| PGS 7 | August 5–9 | Group, Winners, Survival, Final |
| PGS 8 | August 13–16 | Winners, Survival, Final |
| PGS 9 | August 20–23 | Survival, Grand Finals |
Point System and PGC Qualification
With the second half of the season underway, the stakes for the PGC 2026 qualification race have increased. The champions of PGS 7 and PGS 8 will each earn 60 points, while the winner of the PGS 9 circuit final will secure 120 points. Because only the top 16 teams receive points in each series, consistency in Shanghai is essential for teams looking to climb the leaderboard.
For teams that established a lead earlier in the year, this circuit serves as a defensive test. Conversely, for those trailing in the standings, the doubled point allocation provides a path to catch up before the final PGC qualification cutoff at the end of PGS 12.
Map Pool
Matches across all stages of Circuit 3 will be contested on Erangel, Miramar, Taego, and Rondo. The map order varies by stage, with the Group Stage following a consistent Erangel-Miramar-Taego rotation, while later stages incorporate Rondo into the sequence.
Participating Teams
The field is divided between 12 Global Partner Teams—including organizations like Gen.G, 17Gaming, Twisted Minds, and Team Liquid—and 12 regional qualifiers. These squads will compete daily starting at 10:00 UTC, with the exception of the August 5 PGS 7 Group Stage opener, which begins at 05:00 UTC.