GeoGuessr announces World Championship location for 2026

I've been having a lot of debates on what defines an esport lately due to the return of the Microsoft Excel World Championship and the announcement of GeoGuessr's championship location. 

I'm going to say they're not, but here we are! 

GeoGuessr roadmap for 2026

GeoGuessr, which is an app where you must guess a location based on a photograph, has now revealed its roadmap for 2026 - an esports roadmap, mind you. 

There will first be regional World Leagues running from January to June 2026. The regions that will be competing in these circuits include EMEA, the Americas, and APAC.

The winners will become the regional champions, moving onto the GeoGuessr World Championship 2026. This will be from September 2nd to the 5th in... 

[Shows close-up image of an arena's window]

Just kidding, it's Berlin, Germany. 

2026 World League format

Twenty-two players from last season are returning to compete in 2026, along with 22 players who performed well at the 2025 League qualifier. 

There will be a Swiss-style competitive format, with winners determined by points. The 16 players with the most points during the World League will be qualified for the World Finals while the rest head to the Play-Ins for another chance. 

GeoGuessr World Championship 2026 location

The 2026 championship is heading to the Tempodrom in Berlin. This venue can seat up to 3,500 people, so I guess they're expecting a good crowd. 

“This won’t just be a GeoGuessr tournament,” revealed GeoGuessr in an announcement. “It will be a festival packed with a lot of great things.”

This includes community activities, like events and workshops that are "unique" to GeoGuessr. 

Even though I don't personally feel GeoGuessr is a full-fledged esport, the title is still growing in the competitive scene. Last year's championship had over 360,000 peak viewers, the most-watched tournament in GeoGuessr's history. It's getting partners and collaborations along the way as well.