Marvel Rivals opens caster applications, hinting at 2026 esports plans

Marvel Rivals developer NetEase Games has shared that it is opening applications for its 2026 esports caster programme.

The announcement follows the conclusion of this year’s Ignite series, Marvel Rivals’ inaugural esports circuit, and hints at plans to continue its esports scene in 2026.

Sign-ups will be open from December 3rd to 9th, with resumes screened until December 14th, 2025. NetEase will then hold interviews with selected applicants from December 15th to 31st, 2025, and will make offers to chosen candidates before April 2026.

Aspiring esports casters can apply for the programme through the dedicated Google form.

In the blog post, NetEase wrote: “Looking ahead to next year, we hope to welcome even more talented casters to our esports broadcasts. Your professionalism, enthusiasm, and unique voice can help shape unforgettable moments in the Marvel Rivals esports journey.”

The post by NetEase also acknowledges that 2025 has been a major year for Marvel Rivals and its foray into esports. It highlighted the Ignite series and how it held two offline tournaments, the Mid-Season Finals and the Grand Finals, in Guangzhou and Atlanta, respectively.

The casters programme also hints that Marvel Rivals intends to continue its venture into esports throughout the next year. The extent of NetEase’s plans, whether it’s the continuation of the seasonal open-bracket Championships or the return of Ignite for 2026, has yet to be confirmed.

However, at the bottom of the application, NetEase writes that broadcasts of Marvel Rivals Ignite ‘will be available’ on Twitch and YouTube.

This comes at a crucial point in the scene as various organisations, such as North American teams ENVY and Sentinels, have paused operations following the conclusion of Marvel Rivals Ignite’s 2025 season.

If the scene does return, some players are hoping that it will come with drastic changes in how it is run, including introducing stronger financial incentives for teams.