Riftbound RQ Sydney 2026: Event Guide and What Happened

Riftbound's first Australian Regional Qualifier hits Sydney Showground on May 15-17. Here's the full guide for competitors, spectators, and.

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Quick Answer

Event Update (May 2026): RQ Sydney ran from 15-17 May 2026 at Sydney Showground. This guide was written before the event. Results and a full breakdown are in our RQ Sydney results post. The information below covers the event format and what to expect from future Riftbound APAC events. See current prices at /cards/riftbound.

Event Update (May 2026): RQ Sydney ran from 15-17 May 2026 at Sydney Showground. This guide was written before the event. Results and a full breakdown are in our RQ Sydney results post. The information below covers the event format and what to expect from future Riftbound APAC events.

The first Riftbound APAC Regional Qualifier ran at Sydney Showground from May 15-17, 2026, and it is bigger than most people realise. Here is everything about the event, whether you are competing, spectating, or hunting Unleashed product.

What Is RQ Sydney?

RQ Sydney is the first official Riftbound Regional Qualifier held in the Asia Pacific region. It is not a casual local event. This is part of Riot's global competitive circuit, and the stakes are real.

The top 32 players in the Main Event share a USD$25,000 prize pool, with USD$6,000 going to first place. More importantly, top 64 finishers earn invitations to the Regional Championship and lock in their spot on the path to the first-ever Riftbound World Championship. Sydney is where the APAC scene gets its first proper moment.

Dates, Venue, and Format

Dates: Friday May 15 through Sunday May 17, 2026

Venue: Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW

Format: Constructed. Bring your own 40-card deck built around a Champion Legend.

The Main Event runs across Saturday and Sunday. Friday is for arrivals, badge pickup, and side events. If you have not registered yet, check the official Riftbound event page for ticket availability.

Badge Options and What You Get

Standard Admission, AU$40

Full weekend venue access, one side event voucher. Does not include Main Event entry. Good option if you are coming to watch, play side events, and pick up product.

Competitor Badge

Main Event access, one side event voucher, one Unleashed booster box voucher from the onsite merch store, 10% off a single merch item, and the RQ-exclusive alternate art Poppy, Defender of the Meek. This is the badge if you are competing.

Premium Competitor Badge, AU$750

Everything above plus the exclusive Karma, Channeler playmat by Andres Blanco (only available at RQ Sydney), two Unleashed booster box vouchers, priority lines, and coat and bag check. For serious collectors and players who want the full experience.

The alternate art Poppy and the Karma playmat are RQ Sydney exclusives. They will not be available anywhere else after this event.

The Unleashed Meta Going In

RQ Sydney will be the first major event played in the Unleashed meta. The format has been running for less than two weeks before the event, so expect the field to be unsettled and creative.

Based on tournament data heading into the event, the current top performers in Unleashed constructed are LeBlanc Deceiver (leading metashare), Fiora Grand Duelist, and Irelia Blade Dancer. Irelia and Draven have been dominant in the Spiritforged meta, so expect those players to adapt their lists for Unleashed.

The three new Unleashed mechanics (XP, Hunt, and Ambush) are each capable of creating unexpected plays. RQ Sydney will be the first real stress test of whether XP progression decks can keep up with established aggro and midrange strategies.

What to Bring

If you are competing:

If you are coming to spectate or play side events:

Product Hunting at RQ Sydney

Unleashed launched on May 8 and Australian retail stock is already limited at major retailers. The onsite merch store at RQ Sydney will have Unleashed product, and Competitor and Premium badges include booster box vouchers.

If you are after Unleashed singles, RQ Sydney is the best place in Australia to find active players trading. The Overnumber chase cards appear at roughly one per three boxes. Signature Overnumbers with foil artist signatures are rarer, appearing in approximately one in ten Overnumber slots.

We have four Unleashed boxes on hand and will post a full box opening and card price guide after the event when price data is more stable. Subscribe at /tracker to get that post as soon as it goes live.


Not affiliated with Riot Games or UVS Games. Riftbound and all associated marks are property of Riot Games.

The C3 Take

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