As a PUBG Esports fan in 2026, I still remember the January 2023 announcement that introduced the eight founding Global Partner Teams. The 2026 season is already in full swing, but the foundation laid by that first GPT class continues to shape every match I watch. The program opened applications in December 2022, and the response was overwhelming. A dedicated PUBG Esports evaluation committee reviewed every submission under three major categories: Governance, Fandom and History. Past performance in top-tier events also mattered. But the key factor was an organization's ability and will to join the PUBG Esports journey and help build a stronger ecosystem. That philosophy still feels relevant today.

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The Founding Eight: Legends on the Battleground

Here is how I remember the original eight, and why each one earned its place.

Team Tagline Legacy snapshot
Four Angry Men 'Four Angry Battle-Hardened Veterans' From 2017 G-star to 2019 PGC, 4AM built a shining legacy with three PCL championships and massive popularity in China and worldwide.
17Gaming 'Dedicated To The Cause' After a phenomenal second place at PGC 2022, this Chinese veteran squad made winning the PUBG Global Championship its sole objective.
FaZe CLAN 'Veterans Of The Scene' Embedded in PUBG Esports since the beginning, FaZe Clan brought a rich and storied history to the partner program.
Gen.G 'Pioneers Of The Scene' Winners of PUBG Global Invitational 2018 and the first PUBG Global Championship in 2019, Gen.G were a team to be reckoned with from the start.
Natus Vincere 'Reigning World Champions' The reigning PGC world champions returned in 2023, with all eyes on this EMEA squad as it attempted to defend its title.
Petrichor Road 'Paving The Road To Champions' Led by superstar Aixleft, Petrichor Road dominated PCS with first-place finishes in PCS4, PCS5 and PCS6 in Asia, never missing the special prizes.
Soniqs 'Americas' Powerhouse' Five-time PCS Americas champions and PGI.S trophy winners, Soniqs have been a mainstay since the inception of PUBG Esports.
Twisted Minds 'Titans Of EMEA' Twisted Minds broke onto the scene with a phenomenal third place at PGC 2022, and with one of PUBG's strongest squads, they became a force in EMEA.

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Why the 2023 Blueprint Still Matters in 2026

From my perspective as a fan, the GPT program was never just a list of privileged teams. It was a promise: stability for the biggest organizations, plus open regional pathways for everyone else. The original announcement was clear that regional events in Asia, Americas, APAC and EMEA would offer top squads from around the world the opportunity to qualify for the year's biggest events. That balance is still the heartbeat of PUBG Esports in 2026. If your favorite squad is not a partner team, I would not panic. The battlegrounds have always rewarded preparation, clutch decisions and a little bit of chaos.

My Takeaways for the 2026 Season

  • 🏆 Partner teams bring star power and legacy.

  • 🌍 Regional qualifiers keep the dream alive.

  • 🔥 PGS1 and the global championship remain the ultimate tests.

  • 🎮 The founding eight set a standard that new rosters still chase.

With so much talent across these rosters, I cannot wait to see them head to the battleground for PGS1 this year. But I also know that PUBG Esports is bigger than any eight teams. The founding Global Partner Teams gave the scene a spine, and the regional events gave it legs. As I look ahead to the rest of 2026, I am excited to see which veterans defend their legacies and which newcomers crash the party.

Congratulations to the new PUBG Esports 2023 Global Partner Teams, and my greatest thank you to all the teams that showed interest in the GPT program. That gratitude still stands. See you on the Battlegrounds!