Esports at Halo Fest 2026
Halo Fest is a celebration of Halo competition at every level.
Whether you're watching the world's best teams compete or signing up to battle alongside friends, you'll find everything you need to know about Halo Fest competitions right here!
Be sure to check back often for competition updates, and follow @HCS on socials for the latest info.
CONTENTS
$150,000 HCS INVITATIONAL
The HCS Invitational brings together 8 of the world's top Halo teams for an exclusive showcase at Halo Fest. Competing on the latest Halo Infinite HCS maps and modes, they'll battle through group stage and a double-elimination bracket for their share of the $150,000 prize pool!
Teams will be selected through a direct invitation process, with invitations expected to be sent in the late Summer / early Fall. It’s not an exact science, and we won’t be using a points criteria. Our goal is to create a competitive spectacle that delivers epic entertainment for fans both in attendance and watching around the world.
Here are some of the factors we’ll be considering for invitations:
- HCS partnered teams that are still actively involved in the community/ecosystem.
- Top pros or teams competing consistently (and performing well).
- Positive contributors to the Halo community and franchise.
$150K HALO INFINITE 4V4 INVITATIONAL - PRIZE BREAKDOWN
- 1st: $50,000
- 2nd: $25,000
- 3rd: $20,000
- 4th: $15,000
- 5-6: $12,000
- 7-8: $8,000
Follow @HCS on socials to stay up-to-date on the HCS Invitational.
OPEN COMPETITION
The competition doesn't stop with the HCS Invitational. Halo Fest will feature $50,000 in Open Competitions, giving attendees the chance to jump into the action across a variety of Halo titles and compete for cash prizes all weekend long.
Whether you're teaming up with friends for Halo Infinite or revisiting classic Halo experiences, the Open Competitions are your opportunity to test your skills, meet fellow competitors, and become part of the Halo Fest celebration.
Here are the featured Open Competitions taking place at Halo Fest:
Saturday - December 12
| Halo Infinite - Open 4v4 - Prize Pool: $20,000 - Team Cap: 16 - Grand Finals on Sunday | Halo: CE - 2v2 - Prize Pool: $2,500 - Team Cap: 16 | Halo Infinite - 2v2 - Prize Pool: $3,500 - Team Cap: 32 | Halo 3 - 4v4 - Prize Pool: $2,750 - Team Cap: 8 |
Sunday - December 13
| Halo Infinite - FFA - Prize Pool: $10,000 - Player Cap: 128 | Halo 2 - 4v4 - Prize Pool: $2,750 - Team Cap: 8 | Halo 3 - 2v2 - Prize Pool: $3,500 - Team Cap: 32 | Halo 5 - 2v2 - Prize Pool: $2,500 - Team Cap:16 | Halo 2 - 2v2 - Prize Pool: $2,500 - Team Cap:16 |
As with previous HCS events, the Halo Infinite 4v4 Open Tournament will require a Team Pass to compete. Because Halo Fest sold out before Team Pass details were announced, we're making 16 Team Passes available specifically for the competitive Halo community.
Each Team Pass includes admission to Halo Fest for (4) players and (1) coach, along with entry into the tournament. Team Passes will go on sale in November, and are intended for competitors looking to participate in the 4v4 - not as an alternative way to purchase general admission to Halo Fest.
Here’s how it will work:
- Team Passes will be sold in November, 4-6 weeks before the event.
- Closer to Halo Fest, there will be a sign-up page where teams can register for Halo Fest. Teams will be invited to purchase a team pass in order of most HCS Points earned.
- The team you sign up with will be considered your Halo Fest roster. Once a team purchases a Team Pass, that roster is considered locked.
- We will go down the points list, team by team until Team Passes are sold out.
- A Team Pass gives full access to Halo Fest, including competing in other open competitions in addition to the Halo Infinite 4v4.
- Team Passes are not transferable.
$20K HALO INFINITE OPEN 4V4 - PRIZE BREAKDOWN
- 1st: $6,000
- 2nd: $4,000
- 3rd: $3,000
- 4th: $2,200
- 5-6: $1,400
- 7-8: $1,000
$10K HALO INFINITE FFA - PRIZE BREAKDOWN
- 1st: $3,000
- 2nd: $2,000
- 3rd: $1,250
- 4th: $1,000
- 5th: $850
- 6th: $750
- 7th: $650
- 8th: $500
For more information, please keep it locked to @HCS on socials!
FAQ
Halo Infinite Open 4v4
| What events count toward Halo Fest Infinite Open 4v4 qualification? | DreamHack Birmingham & DreamHack Atlanta (decayed by 90%) Info on other point opportunities to be shared later. These tournaments will have heavy influence on your ability to qualify for the Open 4v4. |
| Will DreamHack Birmingham and Atlanta points be decayed? | Yes. We still want to reward participation and performances at Birmingham and Atlanta, but those events took place months before Halo Fest without any knowledge that they'd connect to Halo Fest in any way. The decay ensures they still have seeding impact, while making recent competitions the primary factor in Team Pass qualification. |
| How will the Halo Fest Open 4v4 Registration page work? | This page will be for roster declaration, seeded by most HCS points. The top 16 teams will be invited to purchase a Halo Fest Open 4v4 team pass. Registration does not guarantee a team pass - it simply determines invitation priority. All teams are encouraged to sign up as it is not guaranteed that the top 16 teams will purchase passes. |
| Where can I find the Halo Fest Open 4v4 Registration page? | FACEIT. More info on this will be shared later. |
| When will the Halo Fest Open 4v4 Registration be? | 4-6 weeks before Halo Fest. |
| Can I change my roster after registering? | No. If you purchase a team pass, the roster that you sign up with is considered locked and must be the roster you compete with at Halo Fest. |
| What happens if a team does not purchase a pass within its invitation window? | Once the top 16 teams have had the opportunity to purchase a team pass and there are still any available, an invitation to purchase will go to the next highest seeded team(s) on the registration page. |
| When will the Halo Fest Infinite Open 4v4 take place? | The tournament will begin on Saturday morning, December 12th and run throughout the entire day. The Grand Finals & Grand Finals Reset will be on Sunday morning, December 13th. |
| What is the tournament format? | 16 team bracket. Best of 3 until Winners Finals / Elim Round 5 (best of 5). |