Candy Crush Saga’s biggest competitive event of the year is officially underway. Candy Crush All Stars 2026 has launched globally, bringing back the in-app tournament format with a massive $1 million prize pool and several new gameplay mechanics designed to make the competition even more intense.
The tournament runs from March 5 through April 8, with millions of players expected to compete directly inside the mobile game for a shot at reaching the Live Final. Returning once again as one of the largest open mobile competitions in gaming, the event allows everyday players to climb leaderboards and potentially compete for a share of the seven-figure prize pool.
Candy Crush All Stars 2026 Begins With Live Kickoff Event
The 2026 tournament was officially launched during a live kickoff event in Los Angeles, where former NFL player Marshawn Lynch and sportscaster Erin Andrews hosted the opening broadcast.
Both appeared in a live commentary booth during the event, reacting to gameplay and introducing competitors while setting a “big game” broadcast tone for the competition. The pair analysed gameplay moments in real time as players matched candies and chased leaderboard positions on their phones.
Erin Andrews said Candy Crush has long been a staple on her devices during travel or downtime, describing the game as a way to keep her mind active while working through challenges and levels.
Marshawn Lynch highlighted the accessibility of the tournament format, noting that players do not need a stadium or professional setup to compete. Anyone with a phone running Candy Crush Saga can participate and potentially earn a spot in the Live Final.
Tournament Structure And How Players Compete
Candy Crush All Stars takes place entirely within the game app, allowing players to join the tournament as long as they have reached Level 5 and are aged 18 or older.
Competitors progress through several stages during the event:
- Qualifiers
- Knockout rounds
- Second Chance rounds
- Live Finals
Players climb leaderboards by completing levels and scoring points during each phase. Those who perform well enough will advance through the tournament stages and compete for a place at the final live event.
According to Candy Crush developer King, the scale of the competition has continued to grow year after year. More than 15 million players took part in last year’s tournament.
Luken Aragon, Vice President of Marketing at Candy Crush, said the event was designed to create more opportunities for competitive players within the casual puzzle space, while still keeping the experience accessible to a wide audience.
New 10x Multiplier Tokens Can Flip Leaderboards
One of the biggest gameplay changes for 2026 is the introduction of Multiplier Tokens.
These limited tokens activate a temporary 10x score boost, dramatically increasing a player’s leaderboard points during a timed window. Because the tokens are limited, players must decide carefully when to activate them.
Once triggered, the multiplier can instantly shift rankings and create dramatic swings in leaderboard positions. A well-timed token could allow players to jump ahead of competitors who have been grinding points throughout the event.
The feature adds a strategic layer to the tournament, rewarding players who understand when to deploy their boost for maximum impact.
Second Chance Rounds Give Players Another Shot
Candy Crush All Stars 2026 is also introducing expanded Second Chance rounds.
Players who narrowly miss advancing from their leaderboards can still return to the competition if they place among the top three near-miss competitors in their group. These players will receive another opportunity to re-enter the tournament and continue their climb toward the Live Final.
The Second Chance rounds are presented by LIFE SAVERS, which is also tied into the tournament through a promotional bundle that includes in-game rewards. Players purchasing the special bundle can receive a code for 10 gold bars usable during the tournament.
The addition of second-chance progression aims to keep more players engaged throughout the competition rather than ending their run immediately after a close loss.
Candy Crush Debuts A 15-Track Tournament Soundtrack
Alongside the tournament launch, Candy Crush also introduced a new original soundtrack tied to the event.
The 15-track Candy Crush All Stars soundtrack was composed in-house by King composer Sebastian Aav and released on Spotify at the start of the tournament. The music includes tracks designed to accompany competitive gameplay as well as pieces intended to build momentum toward the Live Final.
The soundtrack expands the tournament experience beyond the app itself, giving the event a larger entertainment identity similar to traditional esports broadcasts or major sporting competitions.
A Global Mobile Competition With Millions Of Players
Candy Crush All Stars 2026 is running across 25 markets worldwide and is open to players competing directly from their mobile devices.
With millions of participants expected to join during the tournament window, the event continues to push the idea that competitive gaming does not need to be limited to professional players or dedicated esports titles.
Instead, Candy Crush’s annual tournament aims to bring competitive moments to one of the most widely played casual games in the world, turning everyday level grinding into a chance to compete on a global stage.
Players have until April 8 to climb the rankings and try to secure their place in the Live Final where the $1 million prize pool will ultimately be decided.