The 2026 GES KartRider Rush+ Grand Prix will take place at the Gwangju Esports Arena on October 17 with a total prize pool of 5 million won. Player registration runs from September 21 to October 11 on the GGGL platform.
Hosted and organized by Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City and the Gwangju Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency (GICON), this event is a standalone KartRider Rush+ tournament held in Gwangju for the second consecutive year, following last year's 'We Made eSports KartRider Rush+ Day Hunters'. This year, the tournament structure has been revamped to expand the prize pool and provide players with more opportunities to compete.
Matches will progress through 'PHASE 1', 'PHASE 2', and 'PHASE 3' before advancing to the semifinals and finals. Up through 'PHASE 2', the format allows all players to participate in the next phase without elimination, giving them the chance to demonstrate their skills across multiple matches rather than being knocked out after a single result.
All eight finalists will receive prize money. In addition to the tournament matches, interactive side events themed around karts and racing, such as 'AR Mario Kart' and 'RC Bumper Cars', will be operated on site.
The Gwangju Information & Culture Industry Promotion Agency stated, “Building on the enthusiastic response from players seen at last year's standalone KartRider Rush+ tournament, we have expanded the prize pool and structured this year's competition so players can experience as many matches as possible.” It added, “We have prepared this event so KartRider Rush+ fans and players across the nation can showcase their skills in Gwangju to their heart's content, and we ask for your interest and participation.”
