NAVI Debut and Day 1 Results at KML Fall 2026: Western Clubs Battle for KIC 2026 Slots

From October 27 to October 31, 2026, Malaysia is hosting the Honor of Kings Major League Fall 2026 tournament. Beyond regional competitions, the event serves as a crucial qualification stage for the marquee global championship, the Honor of Kings International Championship.

The primary storyline of the tournament is the official debut of Ukrainian organization Natus Vincere (NAVI) in Honor of Kings. To secure a strong run for a KIC 2026 berth, the club signed the reigning KML Spring 2026 champion roster. Alongside North American roster BloodThirstyKings and representatives from other regions (MENA, South Korea), Western clubs are looking to challenge the dominance of Asian teams.

Following the Day 1 matches, the initial group standings have taken shape:

• Group A: South Korean squad Team Stallions leads the group with a 2-0 record. Team MAX holds second place (1-0), while BTK (0-1) and CMF Esports (0-2) sit at the bottom.
• Group B: South Korean organization Nongshim RedForce captured top spot (2-0). Debutants NAVI started strong, holding second position at 1-0. R8 Esports (0-1) and Burmese Ghouls (0-2) round out the lower half.

A total of eight teams divided into two groups are competing in the tournament. By the conclusion of the event, the top three teams will secure direct slots for KIC 2026.

As a reminder, NAVI debuts in Honor of Kings: teams from around the world compete for slots at KIC 2026.