Nintendo has published full details for the Splatoon 3 North American League, a regional competitive series running on Nintendo Switch that mixes regular-season competition, weekly shows, and open community play.
Developed by Nintendo EPD and released in 2022, Splatoon 3 returns to organized esports with a schedule that spans preseason, an eight-week regular season, and playoffs, plus weekly livestreamed coverage on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel.
League format and weekly schedule
Nintendo outlined a three-day weekly format for the league: Fridays will serve as a show day with news and recaps, Saturdays are dedicated to League Play with competitive matches and a Top 8 livestream, and Sundays host casual community play and Salmon Run scrims.
In the company’s announcement, Nintendo summarized the cadence: the league will run a Friday morning show, competitive Saturday events with a ladder and Top 8 bracket, and open Sunday scrimmages for players of all skill levels.
Key dates and registration
- Registration opens on Battlefy and runs through June 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT; the registration period initially opened at 9:00 AM PT on March 16, 2026.
- The league begins regular action on April 4, 2026 and concludes with playoffs on June 20–21, 2026.
- Fridays: Show Day airs from April 3 to June 5 at 10:00 AM PT with weekly recaps, community panels, and tips for players.
- Saturdays: League Play runs from April 4 to June 6, starting at 12:00 PM PT; each event includes a Ladder Round at 12:00 PM PT and a Top 8 double-elimination bracket beginning at 4:00 PM PT.
- Sundays: Casual Salmon Run scrims take place from April 5 through June 7 at 12:00 PM PT and are open to individuals and teams via the Nintendo Switch app tournament manager.
Competition structure and standings
Each weekly event features a Ladder Round where teams collect points toward an Event Score; the top eight Event Score teams advance to the week’s Top 8 double-elimination bracket.
Season Standings are calculated from each team’s top four Event Scores during the regular season.
The eight teams with the highest Season Standings after Event #10 may be eligible for the playoffs.
Prizing and livestreams
Nintendo confirmed trophies and themed hardware for Top Team and playoff placement.
The Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize packages include trophies, a Splatoon 3 themed gaming chair, a custom-wrapped Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and a themed wall banner.
The Top Team after the regular season receives a Splatoon 3 North American League Top Team Trophy.
All Top 8 weekly matches and playoffs will be livestreamed on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/Nintendo).
Players must meet eligibility requirements, including legal residency and access to a Nintendo Switch system, Splatoon 3, and any required Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Full rules and prize details are posted on the league’s Battlefy page.
Developed by Nintendo EPD and released in 2022, Splatoon 3 returns to organized esports with a schedule that spans preseason, an eight-week regular season, and playoffs, plus weekly livestreamed coverage on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel.
League format and weekly schedule
Nintendo outlined a three-day weekly format for the league: Fridays will serve as a show day with news and recaps, Saturdays are dedicated to League Play with competitive matches and a Top 8 livestream, and Sundays host casual community play and Salmon Run scrims.
In the company’s announcement, Nintendo summarized the cadence: the league will run a Friday morning show, competitive Saturday events with a ladder and Top 8 bracket, and open Sunday scrimmages for players of all skill levels.
Key dates and registration
- Registration opens on Battlefy and runs through June 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT; the registration period initially opened at 9:00 AM PT on March 16, 2026.
- The league begins regular action on April 4, 2026 and concludes with playoffs on June 20–21, 2026.
- Fridays: Show Day airs from April 3 to June 5 at 10:00 AM PT with weekly recaps, community panels, and tips for players.
- Saturdays: League Play runs from April 4 to June 6, starting at 12:00 PM PT; each event includes a Ladder Round at 12:00 PM PT and a Top 8 double-elimination bracket beginning at 4:00 PM PT.
- Sundays: Casual Salmon Run scrims take place from April 5 through June 7 at 12:00 PM PT and are open to individuals and teams via the Nintendo Switch app tournament manager.
Competition structure and standings
Each weekly event features a Ladder Round where teams collect points toward an Event Score; the top eight Event Score teams advance to the week’s Top 8 double-elimination bracket.
Season Standings are calculated from each team’s top four Event Scores during the regular season.
The eight teams with the highest Season Standings after Event #10 may be eligible for the playoffs.
Prizing and livestreams
Nintendo confirmed trophies and themed hardware for Top Team and playoff placement.
The Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize packages include trophies, a Splatoon 3 themed gaming chair, a custom-wrapped Splatoon 3 Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, and a themed wall banner.
The Top Team after the regular season receives a Splatoon 3 North American League Top Team Trophy.
All Top 8 weekly matches and playoffs will be livestreamed on Nintendo’s official YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/Nintendo).
Players must meet eligibility requirements, including legal residency and access to a Nintendo Switch system, Splatoon 3, and any required Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Full rules and prize details are posted on the league’s Battlefy page.
