Ubisoft has announced an exciting new initiative, “1V1 NOW,” which is the first official 1-on-1 competition in Rainbow Six Siege X. This is a huge step for Rainbow Six esports that shifts the focus away from team-based matches to encourage individual skill. This article helps explain this new event, and how you can participate as well.
What Exactly Is 1V1 NOW?
Image via: Ubisoft
1V1 NOW is an esports competition set up for Siege X by Ubisoft. This event is different than typical events we might see with five-player teams because this is about dueling, one on one. The format of the event is clearly based on the RE:L0:AD 1v1 duels hosted back in May 2025, as the rules are nearly identical.
The Rules & Format
Below are the finalized rules and the details regarding how the tournament works:
- Map: All matches are to be played on Chalet. No other maps are allowed.
- Operator Restrictions: Players are not permitted to use shield operators. Reinforcements will be turned off.
- Match length: Matches are played over the course of six rounds, and whoever wins four rounds first wins the match.
- Eligibility: Participants must be PC players and must be 18 years old or over to compete. Console players are excluded for now. You can register here.
Tournament Phases & Schedule
1V1 NOW is divided into three stages.
Phase 1: Open Qualifiers
- Open to all eligible players, regardless of skill level. This will take place in December.
- A leaderboard will be used to rank the players.
- The top 4 players from each region will move onto Stage 2.
Phase 2: Closed Qualifiers
- Matches will be best-of-3 (BO3).
- This phase takes place in January 2026.
- In this phase, one player will progress from each region to Phase 3, except for APAC: two players will progress from APAC North and one player from SEA and Oceania.
Phase 3: Finals
- The successful regional teams will be going to Paris for the live finals as part of the event of the Six Invitational event in 2026.
- The semifinals will take place on February 14, 2026, and the grand final will take place on February 15, 2026.
- You can watch all final matches on the official Siege X esports channels live.
What’s the Prize Pool & Rewards?
Image via: Ubisoft
- The overall prize pool is €5,000.
- At the finals in Paris, one of the four region finalists will receive at minimum €1,000.
- The winner will receive €2,000 (twice the base amount).
- Ubisoft will cover travel, accommodation, and local costs for the finalists at the Six Invitational.
In Conclusion
Ubisoft’s 1V1 NOW is a decisive and committed push to stake solo competition at the center of Rainbow Six Siege X esports. This isn’t just a side event; this is an exciting, functional, and financed event that will reward individual skill on its own. If it goes successfully, maybe there will be a 1v1 scene in siege in the future, but right now it’s an exciting format that could reshape the landscape of Siege’s competitive future.
