Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 2026 Full Breakdown

The Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 (KIS 4) is officially kicking off the competitive calendar with a bang, setting the stage for what could be the most intense year yet for Honor of Kings esports.

As the first major international event of 2026, this pre-season showdown brings together eight top-tier teams from Southeast Asia and Brazil to battle for pride, momentum, and a hefty prize pool in front of a live Jakarta crowd.

KIS 4 is also where new metas are tested, rivalries heat up, and fans get their first real glimpse of who might dominate the global scene this season. If you care even a little bit about competitive HoK, this is the tournament you don’t want to miss.

About Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4

Right after the new season countdown begins, the Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 steps in as the first real test of strength for pro teams worldwide.

This event is a full-on international LAN where top squads clash to show who’s actually ready for 2026. Every draft, every rotation, every team fight already matters because early momentum in esports can shape an entire season.

What makes KIS 4 stand out is how it mixes serious competition with spectacle. You’ve got elite teams flying into Jakarta, thousands of fans packing the arena, exclusive in-game content dropping alongside the event, and even live entertainment during the Grand Final.

So yeah, it feels more like a celebration of everything Honor of Kings esports has become.

What is KIS 4 HoK?

KIS 4 is the official pre-season international tournament for Honor of Kings, organized by Level Infinite, featuring eight invited teams from powerhouse regions like Southeast Asia and Brazil. 

Instead of long qualifiers, only the best squads get direct invites, which means the quality of matches is high from day one. No filler games or free wins. Just nonstop high-level play.

The format pushes teams hard, too, from group stages, knockout brackets, global ban-and-pick rules, and long best-of series that really test depth and adaptability.

In short, KIS 4 is basically the proving ground where champions begin their story.

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Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 Schedule & Format

Alright, then, when does KIS 4 happen, how does it work, and who’s actually playing? Also, when can you start clearing your schedule to watch the matches live?

The Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 schedule and format are designed to keep the action tight, competitive, and nonstop. No long downtime, just eight top-tier teams grinding through group battles and high-pressure knockouts until one squad lifts the trophy.

HoK KIS 4 Date

The Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 (KIS 4) runs from January 31st to February 8th, 2026, at GBK Basketball Hall, Jakarta, Indonesia.

For over a week straight, Jakarta basically turns into the center of the Honor of Kings universe. You can either show up live and feel the crowd energy in person or watch online through the official YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok streams. And the live atmosphere is going to be insane.

KIS 4 Honor of Kings Format

Now we’ll talk about the HoK KIS 4 format. KIS 4 uses a two-stage structure → Group Stage + Knockout Stage, but with some smart twists that make every match meaningful.

Group Stage (Jan 31 – Feb 3)

• 8 teams split into 2 groups of 4
• Single round-robin
• Matches are Best of 5 (Bo5)
• No teams eliminated yet.

Yep, nobody gets knocked out early.

Instead, group results determine seeding for the playoffs. That means every win improves your bracket position later. So even “early” matches still matter a lot.

Two top-seeded teams from the Star Value Ranking also get to help shape their groups, adding a little mind game strategy before the games even start.

Knockout Stage (Feb 5 – Feb 8)

Once groups wrap up, things get brutal fast.

• Single-elimination bracket
• All matches Best of 7 (Bo7)
• Losing once means you’re out.

Group winners even get to choose their opponents from the lower-ranked teams of the opposite group. So yeah, expect some spicy callouts and confidence plays.

Global Ban & Pick System

Throughout the tournament, KIS 4 uses the Global Ban and Pick system:

• Teams ban 4 heroes each game
• Used heroes can’t be reused in the same series.

Which means the teams need deep hero pools, not just one-trick comfort picks.

And in the Grand Final, the special Ultimate Battle mode activates, allowing both teams to pick the same heroes. Pure skill showdown, no excuses.

HoK KIS Season 4 Participants

Only eight invited squads made the cut this year, which means the skill ceiling is ridiculously high. There are no “filler” teams here.

• Group A
  • Blacklist International (Philippines)
  • NOVA Esports (Malaysia)
  • Nongshim RedForce
  • Bigetron by Vitality (Indonesia).
• Group B
  • BOOM Esports (Philippines)
  • Team HAQ (Malaysia)
  • Dominator Esports (Indonesia)
  • Kagendra (Indonesia).

Southeast Asia has become one of the strongest Honor of Kings regions, so it’s no surprise that most squads come from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

But keep an eye on international contenders too cause these invitationals are where surprise runs happen. And with only eight teams, every single matchup feels like a playoff series from day one.

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Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 Prize Pool

Of course, prestige and bragging rights are great, but let’s not pretend the prize money doesn’t matter. The Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 prize pool brings a total of $100,000 USD to the table, giving every team a real financial incentive to go all-in from day one.

While the number is slightly smaller than last year’s edition due to the reduced number of participants, the stakes actually feel higher this time around. Every match carries more weight, and every win pushes squads closer to a much larger payout with only eight invited teams.

The champions will walk away with the biggest reward at $35,000, while second place secures $17,000. Teams finishing in third and fourth still earn respectable payouts of $14,000 each, and even the remaining squads won’t leave empty-handed, taking home $5,000 apiece.

Still, the real prize is momentum, confidence, and early-season dominance that can set the tone for the entire 2026 competitive year.

Honor of Kings Women’s Series (KWS) & New Wukong at KIS 4

This year, KIS 4 is extra special because it’s running with a cool addition. Alongside the main event is the Honor of Kings Women’s Series (KWS), a tournament specifically created to spotlight the amazing female players in the HoK scene.

The Women’s Series is on the same stage, bringing the same level of excitement and competition. It really highlights Honor of Kings’ dedication to building a more open and inclusive esports community.

The KWS will feature eight top women’s teams battling it out in a tough single-elimination bracket during the KIS 4 schedule.

With a $10,000 prize pool and a shot at global competition, this tournament is a real opportunity for these players to show off their talent, teamwork, and strategy to the massive, excited audience. It’s a clear sign that the future of HoK esports is getting much more diverse and exciting.

New Wukong “Anoman Skin” Debuts at KIS 4 2026

And because it wouldn’t be a major Honor of Kings event without some fresh in-game goodies, KIS 4 also introduces something fans instantly get excited about –> a brand-new skin.

During the tournament, Level Infinite is releasing the Wukong “Anoman” skin, which is fully usable in official matches, which means you’ll likely see pros flexing it live on stage.

There’s something extra satisfying about watching a clutch team fight while a brand-new cosmetic makes its debut. It ties the event directly to the game itself, making the tournament feel like a celebration of both competitive play and player culture.

Don’t be surprised if this skin quickly becomes one of the most recognizable collectibles tied to the 2026 season.

KIS 4 Grand Final Revealed

Then comes the part everyone circles on the calendar, yeah.. the KIS 4 Grand Final. This is designed to feel like a full-scale esports festival.

The energy in the GBK Basketball Hall is expected to be electric, with thousands of fans packing the venue to witness the season’s first international champion crowned live on stage.

To make the moment even bigger, the Grand Final will feature a special halftime performance by Indonesian superstar Afgan, who is set to perform multiple songs in front of the crowd.

This mix of competitive gaming and live music is a really cool crossover. It totally elevates the event beyond a regular tournament, turning the whole day into a massive, unforgettable global experience.

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At the end of the day, Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 is the event that sets the tone for the entire 2026 competitive year. 

This is where new metas are born, rivalries heat up, and future champions start making their statement. And if you’re a real HoK fan, you’re probably itching to jump back into the game too.

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We offer some of the most budget-friendly Honor of Kings top-up prices, backed by a 10x Money-Back Guarantee, so you don’t have to stress about security.  Load up your tokens while the Honor of Kings Invitational Season 4 hype is still hot!