Tetris 99’s Splatoon Raiders Event Runs Aug. 7-10, Unlocks Exclusive Switch 2 Theme
Nintendo has confirmed that Tetris 99 will run a Splatoon Raiders-themed MAXIMUS CUP from August 7 to August 10, 2026, giving Nintendo Switch Online members a fresh shot at unlocking a Switch 2-exclusive in-game theme. The 56th event ties the free battle-royale puzzler to the recently launched single-player Splatoon spin-off, following a format Nintendo has repeated dozens of times since Tetris 99 debuted in 2019.
What the 56th MAXIMUS CUP requires
The Tetris 99 56th MAXIMUS CUP event has been announced and it’s set to kick off Aug. 7th, 2026, with participation requiring a Nintendo Switch Online membership and play in the Tetris 99 online mode during the event period. As GoNintendo detailed, players will earn event points based on their placement in each match.
Once players accumulate a total of 100 event points, a new theme unlocks, featuring art, music and Tetrimino designs inspired by Splatoon Raiders that is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Life independently confirmed the same window and reward structure, noting that booting up the Switch Online battle royale title between 7th and 10th August 2026 lets players earn event points, and once they’ve got 100 event points, they’ll unlock a new theme featuring art, music and Tetrimino designs inspired by the new Splatoon adventure.
Nintendo’s official framing of the crossover
Nintendo’s own “What’s New” hub echoed the announcement in its trademark playful tone, teasing that the Tetris 99 56th MAXIMUS CUP online event is ink-coming, giving players the opportunity to earn an in-game theme inspired by the Splatoon Raiders game for the Nintendo Switch 2 system. The publisher’s page also flagged that the reward sits alongside other current promotions tied to Splatoon Raiders and the newly released Rhythm Heaven Groove.
As with every MAXIMUS CUP, standard Nintendo Switch Online terms apply. Any Nintendo Switch Online membership, sold separately, and a Nintendo Account are required for online features, membership auto-renews after the initial term at the then-current price unless cancelled, and the event is not available in all countries.
Why Splatoon Raiders is the star of this Round
The crossover lands just weeks after Splatoon Raiders itself hit shelves. According to reporting from Tech Times around its debut, Splatoon Raiders launched worldwide on July 23, 2026, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $49.99 digitally and $59.99 for the physical copy. It marked a franchise first as a dedicated single-player entry in the ink-splatting series.
Nintendo Life’s own review of the game, cited in its Tetris 99 coverage, called it the “best single-player Splatoon” with incredibly robust multiplayer options for anyone wanting to splat some Salmonids with family and friends, adding that “It looks good, runs fantastically, and you can play practically the whole thing with friends if you wish.” That reception likely explains why Nintendo picked the new release, rather than an older Splatoon entry, to headline this MAXIMUS CUP.
A busy month of Tetris 99 rewards
The Splatoon Raiders event isn’t the only way to pad out a Tetris 99 theme collection this month. Nintendo Life separately reported that between now and 17th August 2026, players can get 41 collaborative themes for just 2 tickets instead of the usual price, with no need to earn points to unlock them. That discount run overlaps with the new MAXIMUS CUP window, giving completionists two parallel ways to fill gaps in their theme library during the same stretch.
For Australian and New Zealand players, the event runs on the same UTC-anchored schedule as the rest of the world, translating to a Saturday-through-Tuesday window locally, though as always the free Tetris 99 mode itself requires an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to enter matches and earn points.
Read also: Splatoon Raiders Cracks Metacritic’s Top 10 as Pokémon Unite Marks 5th Anniversary
What to know before the cup opens
Tetris 99 remains free for anyone with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, and no additional purchase is needed to take part in the MAXIMUS CUP itself. Players hoping to reach the 100-point threshold across the four-day window should expect the usual placement-based scoring, where higher finishes in each 99-player match award more points toward the unlock.
With Splatoon Raiders still riding a strong critical reception weeks after launch, the crossover doubles as a marketing nudge for Switch 2 owners who haven’t yet picked up the new single-player entry, while giving longtime Tetris 99 fans another entry to add to a theme collection that now spans dozens of Nintendo franchises.
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