Combo Breaker 2026 Dates Announced, Registration Opens Today
Combo Breaker 2026 has officially confirmed its return today, announcing May 22–24, 2026 as the dates for the next installment of the premier fighting game convention.
Key Takeaways:
- Dates Locked: The event returns to the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center over Memorial Day Weekend.
- Registration Live: Early Bird registration has opened immediately alongside the announcement.
- Community Focus: The "All In Together" program returns, allocating floor space for community-run tournaments.
The Midwest's Premier Event Returns
Combo Breaker 2026 will once again take over the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. Organizers confirmed the May 22–24 dates today, marking the event's continued tradition of anchoring the North American fighting game calendar during Memorial Day Weekend.
Registration for the event is now open on start.gg. The event has set an attendance cap of 8,500 attendees for 2026, encouraging players to register early. The "Early Bird" registration window begins today, offering a discounted rate for competitors and spectators who commit early.
The announcement also highlighted the return of the "All In Together" program. This initiative reserves dedicated floor space, stages, and stream resources for independent community organizers to run tournaments for games outside the main official lineup, ensuring a diverse range of niche and retro titles are represented.
"All In Together returns in 2026! Featuring its own staff, stage, and streams for independent organizers [to] highlight their favorite games!" — Combo Breaker Organizing Team
Registration & Schedule Details
Competitors looking to secure their spot can purchase badges immediately. The event structure includes a tiered registration timeline, with prices increasing as the event approaches.
The Early Bird Competitor Pass is priced at $115, while a Spectator Pass is $90. These rates are valid until February 1, 2026. The main tournament lineup features 24 official titles, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, 2XKO, and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
| Milestone | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Early Bird Registration | Dec 30, 2025 – Feb 1, 2026 | $115 Competitor / $90 Spectator. |
| Artist Alley Applications | Jan 19, 2026 | Applications open for vendors/artists. |
| Standard Registration | Feb 2, 2026 – Apr 16, 2026 | Price increases to $125/$100. |
| Late Registration Deadline | Apr 17, 2026 – May 1, 2026 | Final days for competitor registration. |
| Event Dates | May 22 – 24, 2026 | Tournament play and activities. |
With the full lineup confirmed and badges available, the road to Schaumburg is officially open. Players have until February 1 to lock in the lowest rates.
Source: Combo Breaker Twitter
COMBO BREAKER RETURNS! MAY 22-24, 2026. Registration is now OPEN.
— COMBO BREAKER (@COMBOBREAKER) December 30, 2025