On February 26, Samsung Electronics hosted the #PlayGalaxy Cup: PUBG Mobile Global Open in San Francisco, marking the kickoff of the 2026 #PlayGalaxy Cup annual league. The event drew strong interest from mobile esports fans worldwide and signaled the start of a new global competitive season.

The #PlayGalaxy Cup is a global tournament league highlighting the gaming performance of Galaxy devices. In 2026, the tournament expands into a yearlong global esports league in collaboration with PUBG Mobile — shifting from standalone events to a full-season format.

The Global Open served as a showcase match celebrating the league’s launch. Sunny, CouRage, NiceWigg and Octane of North American gaming organization 100 Thieves competed alongside OfflineTV members TinaKitten, Yvonnie, Foolish and Masayoshi. They were joined by eight members of TeamGalaxy  — a global roster of influencers — forming a 16-player lineup of creators and competitors.

Players competed using the new Galaxy S26 Ultra, demonstrating that immersive, high-performance esports gameplay on a mobile device. Cheers erupted throughout each round, reflecting the excitement inside the venue.

Streamer Ludwig hosted the event, bringing live interviews and onstage commentary throughout the competition. Between matches, he engaged in spontaneous conversations with players and interacted with fans in real time, adding to the festival atmosphere.

The #PlayGalaxy Cup: PUBG Mobile Global Open was livestreamed on Ludwig’s YouTube channel, drawing 16.77 million views and broad attention from the gaming community. The broadcast was also streamed on Samsung’s YouTube channel and co-streamed by creators including Ashtax and Wynnsanity. The hybrid format — engaging both on-site spectators and online viewers — underscored the league’s vision of a globally accessible mobile esports competition.

Fans at the event rooted for their favorite teams. A large screen at center stage displayed smooth, immersive gameplay on Galaxy S26 Ultra and a dedicated experience zone allowed visitors to test the device’s gaming performance.

Following the tournament, #PlayGalaxy Cup moves into its full annual league schedule. Beginning in May, regional qualifiers will be held across Europe, Southeast Asia and Oceania, North America, India and South America. Additional details will be shared through each region’s host streamer channels, and all matches will be livestreamed globally. Top teams will advance to the World Final at Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany — one of the world’s largest gaming events — to compete for the championship.

“The Global Open marked a milestone with the launch of the inaugural 2026 #PlayGalaxy Cup league,” said David Moon, Head of Influencer Marketing, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “We look forward to continuing this journey with gaming fans around the world.”

The company offered a behind-the-scenes look at how innovation translates into on-screen experiences — reinforcing Galaxy as a go-to choice for gamers worldwide.

At its booth inside the Koelnmesse exhibition hall, Samsung displayed a wide range of products. The company also welcomed attendees to The World of #PlayGalaxy, an event held at Dock² in Cologne-Mülheim. Samsung Newsroom captured some highlights from Gamescom 2025.

▲ The World of #PlayGalaxy at Dock²

Samsung Gaming Forum: Joint Endeavors With Like-Minded Partners

On August 22, Samsung opened The World of #PlayGalaxy with the Samsung Gaming Forum — putting collaboration at the forefront. The panel featured leaders from Google, HoYoverse, Qualcomm and Samsung, along with content creator Rurusama, to explore how joint innovation is advancing the mobile gaming experience.

Panelists highlighted how adoption of the Vulkan Engine for 3D graphics, chipset optimization and new gameplay features is reshaping the Galaxy gaming experience.

“We strongly believe in the vision of Vulkan, so we co-developed a long-term roadmap alongside Samsung and others,” said Scott Carbon-Ogden, Senior Product Manager at Google. He noted that the companies share a vision of building a Vulkan-based Android ecosystem and making Vulkan the standard application programming interface (API) by 2027.

HoYoverse’s Vice President of Global Business Development, Fish Ling, explained how Vulkan was successfully introduced to Genshin Impact and delivers a 17.1% better FPS performance at the heaviest game frames, enabling smoother, more stable mobile gaming experiences made possible with Samsung’s support. She also pointed to Game Help, a new feature within Circle to Search that lets players instantly access tips without pausing gameplay.

“The Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy is designed to deliver next-level gaming experiences by maximizing performance while maintaining power efficiency,” said Bobby Oh, Director of Gaming Global Partnerships at Qualcomm. He introduced the chipset as the powerhouse behind recent innovations and optimizations.

▲ (From left) Moderator Craig Chapple, Jungwoo Kim, Scott Carbon-Odgen, Bobby Oh, Fish Ling and Rurusama

The forum underscored that these achievements were the result of collaboration across hardware, software and platforms by Samsung and its partners. The collective effort is helping ensure Galaxy devices remain at the forefront of mobile gaming.

The World of #PlayGalaxy Experience

▲ Visitors gather at The World of #PlayGalaxy.

After the Samsung Gaming Forum, attendees entered The World of #PlayGalaxy to experience a festival of gameplay that spotlighted Galaxy’s latest capabilities.

Fans explored zones created with Samsung’s partners that featured major titles such as PUBG Mobile, Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact and Mongil: Star Dive. Hands-on play showcased the Galaxy devices’ performance, immersive visuals and vivid displays, while also illustrating how collaboration delivers smoother gameplay and richer experiences for users.

▲ Visitors enjoy popular mobile games at the gameplay zone.

Special events added to the energy. PUBG Mobile influencers faced off in one-on-one battles, giving the crowd a taste of pro-level play. At Mongil: Star Dive booth, players raced through time-attack challenges that tested their skills and Galaxy’s performance.

The excitement continued on stage with creator-led talk shows and game-show style segments that blended entertainment and interaction, giving audiences new ways to engage with their favorite games and creators.

More than a device showcase, The World of #PlayGalaxy carried a strong sense of community. From collecting digital coins and snapping photos at the wall to picking up exclusive merchandise and sharing stories between matches, fans immersed themselves not only in the games but also in a culture of connection, creativity and play.

“The World of #PlayGalaxy was more than a product showcase,” said David Moon, Head of Influencer Marketing, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “It was designed as an immersive space for mobile gaming fans to come together, experience Galaxy firsthand and celebrate the joy of play.”

▲ Crowds gather at a creator event.

#PlayGalaxy Cup

One of the highlights of The World of #PlayGalaxy was the #PlayGalaxy Cup, a tournament showcasing Galaxy’s performance and the passion of the gaming community.

Interactive elements let fans connect with Team Redox and Team Coa77k before the final showdown, where Team Redox claimed the title. Separate fan tournaments also gave everyday players a chance to compete, form new teams and test their skills under the same lights.

▲ #PlayGalaxy Cup champions Team Redox pose with the trophy.

Galaxy Innovation on Display

Samsung’s booth at Koelnmesse drew gamers from around the world, with attendees lining up to try popular titles on the latest Galaxy devices.

▲ Visitors crowd Samsung’s Gamescom 2025 booth to try out the latest Galaxy features.

Whether exploring expansive worlds, competing in fast-paced matches or multitasking mid-game, Galaxy devices kept pace — thanks to Samsung’s collaborations with leading studios on direct optimization.

Smooth performance and seamless device compatibility showed how Galaxy innovation meets the needs of both casual fans and competitive gamers while helping shape the future of mobile gaming.

▲ The World of #PlayGalaxy is an immersive space where mobile gaming fans could come together.

From the roar of the crowds at the #PlayGalaxy Cup to the bustle of the show floor, Samsung brought its gaming vision to life at Gamescom 2025 through its booth and The World of #PlayGalaxy — highlighting performance powered by Galaxy innovation, collaboration with partners and a global community shaping the future of mobile gaming.

On January 25, Samsung Electronics hosted the third #PlayGalaxy Cup in San Francisco. Collaborating with “Call of Duty®: Mobile” from game developer and publisher Activision, the #PlayGalaxy Cup showcased the Galaxy series’ innovative gaming performance in a tournament broadcasted live to gaming fans around the world via YouTube and Twitch.

Participating players used the Galaxy S25 Ultra and fully demonstrated the mobile device’s unmatched gaming capabilities. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, the Galaxy S25 Ultra supports seamless gameplay even for high-performance games such as “Call of Duty®: Mobile.” Vulkan optimization sets a new standard for mobile gaming with a true-to-life graphic experience, and the enlarged Vapor Chamber optimizes the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s cooling system for more stable gameplay.

Named #PlayGalaxy Cup: The Greatest Rivalry With “Call of Duty®: Mobile,” the tournament was centered around an exciting battle between two of North America’s premiere “Call of Duty®: Mobile” eSports teams. World-renowned professional players participated — including Aerith and Vague from Tribe Gaming and AyeoRaph and Cartels from Luminosity Gaming. The presence of popular game streamers Bobby Plays and TeeP further intensified the rivalry between Team Tribe and Team Luminosity.

Livestreamed globally on famous “Call of Duty®: Mobile” content creator iFerg’s YouTube channel, the tournament captivated mobile gaming fans around the world and attracted an impressive three million views. Popular streamers jasontheween, stableronaldo and Arky hosted a #PlayGalaxy Cup watch party and engaged with fans through livestreams at the venue. Meanwhile, “Call of Duty®: Mobile” streamer NoahSunday and other content creators held their own #PlayGalaxy Cup watch parties remotely.

On the day of the event, the venue was packed with more than 250 enthusiastic fans cheering for their favorite teams. A large screen at the center of the arena vividly displayed the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s immersive graphics, quick response time and smooth, seamless gameplay — revealing new possibilities in mobile gaming.

“I am thrilled to see my favorite Tribe players and watch their gameplay in person,” said one Tribe Gaming fan who visited on-site. “I am on the edge of my seat throughout every round, wondering which team will win.”

The Galaxy S25 Ultra hands-on zone was prepared on-site, allowing audience members to experience the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s gaming performance themselves.

“Thanks to the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s excellent gaming performance, each team member could perform at their best and lead us to victory,” said Aerith from Tribe Gaming, captain of the winning team.

“The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s outstanding gaming performance provided a console-level gaming experience on mobile,” said TeeP, professional “Call of Duty®: Mobile” player and content creator.

During the tournament rehearsals, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and JBL Quantum ONE headphones delivered exceptional audio quality that captivated players. Participants praised the wireless earbuds and headphones for their delay-free, realistic sound effects and professional-grade gaming performance.

“Thanks to the sound and noise-cancelling capabilities of the JBL Quantum One headphones, we were able to focus on the game and enjoy a more lifelike gameplay experience,” said Cartels from Luminosity Gaming.

“The #PlayGalaxy Cup was an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s powerful gaming capabilities to the world,” said Kiwook Moon, Head of Influencer Marketing Group, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to provide more innovative and immersive mobile gaming experiences through Galaxy devices.”

For further details, please visit Samsung Newsroom.

Activision, Call of Duty and the stylized letter M are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Samsung Electronics today announced that it will host the second #PlayGalaxy Cup at TwitchCon San Diego 2024 on Saturday, Sept. 21. The event will feature popular streamers and e-sports pros such as Ludwig Anders Ahgren (Ludwig) and Tyler Polchow (TeeP) competing in a PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG) Mobile tournament. Participants will be split into teams using either touchscreen or mouse and keyboard controls, all playing exclusively on the Galaxy S24 Ultra – a device specially optimized for a smooth, high-performance mobile gaming experience. The competition will be livestreamed globally on Twitch via streamer and former pro gamer Jack Martin’s (NiceWigg) channel, with additional Twitch livestreams from each participant. In-person attendees of TwitchCon 2024 can also enjoy an exclusive, hands-on experience with Genshin Impact at Samsung’s event booth.

“We are thrilled to team up with Twitch and PUBG Mobile to bring this one-of-a-kind gaming tournament to TwitchCon 2024,” said Saejin Kim, VP and Head of Marketing Strategy Group, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy S24 Ultra redefines mobile gaming to deliver incredibly powerful, PC-level performance in the palm of your hand. This event will demonstrate how our technology enables both casual and competitive gamers to enjoy their favorite titles at optimal performance, whether they’re using a touchscreen or a keyboard and mouse.”

An Epic Gaming Showdown

As one of the event’s main attractions, the #PlayGalaxy Cup will see 16 popular content creators and e-sports pros — split into four teams — go head-to-head in PUBG Mobile using Galaxy S24 Ultra smartphones. In a unique twist, two of the teams will compete using the device’s intuitive touchscreen controls, while the other two teams will be armed with a keyboard and mouse setup connected to the phone. The team using PC controls stars includes popular streamers such as Bryce Hutchinson (HutchMF), Brittany Lynn Watts (Cinna) and Ludwig Anders Ahgren (Ludwig) competing alongside e-sports pro Tyler Polchow (TeeP). On the mobile team using touchscreen input, PUBG Mobile pro Zifan Wu (Xifan) is joined by fan-favorite content creators like Wynn Curtis (Wynsannity) and Bella Fox.

A New Era of Mobile Gaming Performance

This intense competition will demonstrate Galaxy S24 Ultra’s high-performance, seamless and ultra-responsive gameplay regardless of the input format. Featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 chipset, a larger vapor chamber for improved heat management and an industry-leading Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, Galaxy S24 Ultra is built for intense, lag-free gaming sessions. Its powerful hardware enables unparalleled immersion, stunning visuals and cutting-edge features like Ray Tracing, creating an experience that bridges the gap between mobile and PC gaming.

Samsung’s ongoing collaboration with several industry-leading gaming partners also ensures that popular mobile games, including PUBG Mobile, are optimized for Galaxy devices, allowing for enhanced performance unique to Galaxy users.

Unlock Unique Experiences at the Samsung Booth

Beyond the #PlayGalaxy Cup, TwitchCon San Diego 2024 attendees have the chance to explore a world of immersive gaming experiences at the Samsung Booth. Fans can try out an exclusive Genshin Impact APK and character booth or discover Samsung’s latest state-of-the-art gaming products and technology that help gamers across the globe level up their gaming setups.

This is the first time Samsung is a major partner and sponsor at the biannual gaming and streaming convention, which highlights technology’s role in bringing together people and closer to their passions. Samsung is providing an opportunity for gaming enthusiasts to immerse themselves in an exceptional gaming experience powered by the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Samsung’s powerhouse mobile gaming smartphone.

“We’re incredibly excited to be the main sponsor at TwitchCon Paris 2023,” said Saejin Kim, VP and Head of Marketing Strategy Group, Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “This event is a testament to technology’s power to unite people in celebration of shared passions such as gaming, and at Samsung, we believe the experiences we create are all the more epic and memorable when we do it together.”

Empowering Epic Gaming, Together

TwitchCon Paris 2023 will be packed with exciting activities and zones, including Samsung’s #PlayGalaxy Lounge. Here, visitors can get their hands on the latest Samsung products and features for an unforgettable gaming experience with the wider mobile gaming community.

Samsung #TeamGalaxy gaming influencers such as rewinside (@rewinstagram) and Gee Nelly (@Geenelly) will be challenging other gamers and documenting the event for their fans. They will play demo matches that attendees can watch and host meet-and-greets for their followers in person. Visitors will also have a chance to use the high-performance Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone to test mobile games such as “Brawl Stars,” “Asphalt 9” and “PUBG Mobile.” A tournament will let guests compete among themselves and against #TeamGalaxy.

The Samsung Booth will also feature Samsung’s 85-inch Neo QLED 8K TV and 49-inch Odyssey OLED G9 gaming monitor, and visitors seeking large-scale immersion can marvel at their breathtaking image quality and response speed. TwitchCon attendees can also experience the Samsung Gaming Hub on Samsung smart TVs and monitors, where thousands of games can be played instantly from Xbox and other top game streaming services, with no console required — just a controller.

The state-of-the-art Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 200MP camera will also be used for a photo booth and studio setup, providing the perfect backdrop for memorable portrait photos. A reward awaits those who complete all the #PlayGalaxy Lounge activities. All they have to do is present their Boarding Pass at each area to show they’ve participated.