Season 26 Overview

Apex Legends Season 26, titled “Showdown”, launched on August 5, 2025. This season introduces a split between Core modes (Ranked and Unranked) and Freestyle modes, where experimental wildcards live. During the launch of this season, we’ve seen some of the biggest ranked changes we’ve seen in quite some time, which is well needed to continue to keep the game feeling fresh.

Ranked Mode Access & Structure

Ranked is still the primary competitive mode, running from Bronze to Apex Predator.

• New players must complete the Road to Ranked challenges to unlock Ranked.
  
  
• Each tier has four divisions (IV to I).
  
  
• Apex Predator is exclusive to the top 750 players per platform.
  
  

Drop Zones: No More Jumpmasters

One of the biggest changes in Season 26 is how you drop into the map:

• Players no longer choose their landing spot or timing.
  
  
• Squads are assigned a random Point of Interest (POI) and auto-dropped.
  
  
• This creates fairer starts, reduces hot-drop chaos, and mirrors pro-level formats.

Respawn has also just recently made the decision to lower the dropshops to align with ALGS, EA’s competitive version of Apex Legends. People seem to be enjoying this further, as it stops enemy teams dropping into your POI from the get-go.

Ranked Point (RP) System Overhaul

Season 26 brings major adjustments to entry costs, kill rewards, and placement points.

Entry Costs

• Bronze: 10 RP (was 0)
  
  
• Gold: 38 RP (was 35)
  
  
• Platinum: 48 RP (was 45)
  
  

Kill Points (KP) Reductions

Kill RP has been tuned down across all placements:

• 1st place: 20 RP (was 26)
  
  
• 2nd place: 18 RP (was 22)
  
  
• 11–15th: 6 RP (was 10)
  
  
• 16–20th: 4 RP (was 10)
  
  

Placement Point Buffs

Placement rewards have been increased for consistency:

• 2nd: 100 RP (was 95)
  
  
• 3rd: 75 RP (was 70)
  
  
• 6th: 40 RP (was 30)
  
  

Challenger Bonus (Reworked)

Eliminating higher-tier opponents now grants bonus RP:

• +15% for 1 tier above
  
  
• +25% for 2 tiers above
  
  
• +35% for 3 tiers above
  
  
• +50% for 4+ tiers above
  
  

Cosmetic & Reward Updates

• Ranked Auras: New in-match visuals that reflect your rank.
  
  
• Ranked Rewards: Animated legend wear and VFX tied to your final rank, unlockable for Season 27.
  
  

Community Feedback & Ranked Distribution

While changes improve balance and fairness, the community has voiced concerns:

• Around 35–40% of players sit in Diamond, making it the “new average.”
  
  
• Masters has more players than Gold I, suggesting rank inflation.
  
  
• Many players feel progression is less prestigious than before.
  
  

How to Rank Up Fast in Season 26

If you want to climb efficiently:

• Play for placements — prioritize survival over risky kill chases.
  
  
• Leverage Challenger Bonuses by targeting higher-tier squads.
  
  
• Adapt to assigned POIs and focus on smart rotations.
  
  
• Track Predator cutoffs with third-party stat sites before pushing late season.
  
  

Summary of Ranked Changes in Season 26

Final Thoughts

Season 26 completely reshapes the Ranked experience in Apex Legends. From randomized drops to a rebalanced RP system, success now relies less on hot drops and more on consistent survival and smart engagements.

If you’re aiming for Predator, the grind is still real — but understanding these changes and playing strategically will give you the edge in climbing the ladder. We can also help you get there! Check out our apex legends boosting service.