Hello, Rivals fans! Welcome back to the Rivals Report, your bite-sized update on all things Marvel Rivals esports. I'm Diatonic, and this is episode 35 for the week of February 9th, 2026.
This week brings massive breaking news: the full lineup of 12 partner teams for the 2026 Ignite series has dropped! We also recap the inaugural Mega Monthly invitational, spotlight four elite Strategists in our Giantsized Scouting Spotlight, and look ahead to roster mania.
Ignite 2026 Partner Teams Revealed
NetEase officially announced the 12 partner teams for the Marvel Rivals Ignite 2026 season. These orgs get auto-invites to Ignite, limited relegation protection, in-game cosmetic bundles for fans, and revenue sharing from bundle sales.
The lineup spans regions:
- Americas: 100 Thieves (returning after pause), FlyQuest, NRG (with NRG Shock partnership), Sentinels (returning), Spacestation Gaming, Team Liquid (as Liquid Citadel), TSM.
- EMEA: Natus Vincere (NAVI), Team Heretics, Virtus.pro.
- Pacific: Gen.G, Reject.
This follows a wave of signing teases on social media, signaling roster shuffles as players lock in with these partners. Expect big moves as preseason approaches.
Mega Monthly: Racecar Claims $9K Crown
The first Mega Monthly, a $9,000 pro-focused invitational, ran over three days last weekend. 12 top teams competed in two groups of six, with top four advancing to double-elim playoffs. Broadcast on official Marvel Rivals Twitch and YouTube with casters including Vodible, CB, Shimmy, and Diatonic.
Group stage highlights:
- Racecar dominated undefeated (5-0, 10-0 maps) in Group B.
- Lunex crushed Group A (5-0, 10-2 maps), dropping a few but staying strong.
Surprises included Navi's early upper bracket exit and lower bracket struggles, Yeah We Lost's creative comps, and eliminations like The Beast/Merlin's Order and Shikigami.
Lunex battled through the lowers: beat Navi again, swept Extinction, then overcame Dreamland in lower finals.
Grand Finals: Racecar vs. Lunex (best-of-5)
| Map | Winner | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Krakoa | Lunex | Dominant start for Lunex |
| Central Park | Racecar | Racecar fights back |
| Midtown | Racecar | Racecar takes lead |
| Burning Trolla | Lunex | Lunex forces map 5 |
| Semitic Surface | Racecar | Racecar wins 3-2 overall |
Racecar took the title with a near-perfect run, earning $6,000. Lunex runner-up at $3,000. Shoutout to Mega Monthly for flawless production and BPL.
Scouting Spotlight: Giantsized Strategist Edition
Strategists often fly under the duelist hype, but these four backline masters control tempo, heal, and swing fights.
Kova (Americas, Lunex)
The undisputed king of Adam Warlock and triple-res comps. OW Contenders background with Ryzing. Nightmare -> Sentinels (MRC S1 champs, Ignite Stage 1 winners) -> Dark Zero (GF land) -> Lunex (Mega Monthly runner-up). Elite timing, clutch res plays, strong on Luna Snow and Cloak & Dagger.
Cooperastic (Americas, FlyQuest/Racecar)
Loki specialist with creative zoning. OW and Minecraft PvP roots. Rad -> FlyQuest (Invitational runner-up, MRC S1 top 6) -> Racecar (Mega Monthly winner, MRC S5 champ). Master of positioning, also shines on Invisible Woman and Luna Snow.
Fate (EMEA, NAVI)
Jeff the Land Shark legend who revived the hero at MSF with insane plays. OWCS vet. Exoblivion -> Team 1 -> Luminosity EU -> Rad (first LAN win) -> NAVI (GF runners-up, MRC S5 EMA champs). Resource master on Jeff, Cloak & Dagger, Luna. Also collegiate at Northwood.
Cipe (EMEA, Virtus.pro)
Multi-game beast: LoL Challenger, OW rank 1, Diablo hardcore max. War of the Realms/S0 MRC winner with Team Cats -> Virtus.pro (dominant EMA, MRC S1/S3, Ignite Stage 2/GF champs). Defines meta on Loki, Invisible Woman, Luna. Utility king who keeps VP alive.
More profiles coming soon...
That's Rivals Report #35! Follow on Diatonic Twitch, X, TikTok. Diatonic is a creator for High Tide Gaming and you can use code "Diatonic" for a discount on all High Tide orders. See you in-game!
