Halo Infinite will exit the Halo Championship Series after the 2025 World Championship in October. Here’s what’s left, what’s next, and what it means for Halo esports.
Sad news for fans of competitive Halo Infinite, as 343 Industries has shared it will no longer be part of the Halo Championship Series (HCS) after this year's World Championships in October.
The silver lining is that the Halo franchise will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2026, so a brand new title could be less than a year away.
No more Halo Infinite at HCS after remaining Year 4 events
Halo Infinite originally joined the HCS in 2021 and is in Year 4 of its competitive circuit. There is still some gas left in the tank, though, as two Majors remain to be played plus the HCS World Championships in late October. Together, these three events are offering over $1.5 million in prize money.
Remaining Halo Infinite HCS Events in 2025 (Check out the full 2025 Roadmap):
- Aug. 1 to Aug. 3 - HCS Major Salt Lake City, United States
- Oct. 3 to Oct. 5 - HCS Major Charlotte, United States
- Oct. 24 to Oct. 26 - Halo HCS World Championships - Seattle, United States
"We will still support Halo Infinite and the tournament scene in 2026, but HCS will be moving on from Halo Infinite for official competition following this year’s Halo World Championship. "
Tashi, Director, Competitive Engagement at Halo
The HCS will still host 3 more events before the end of 2025 (Image via Halo Waypoint)
343 Industries to shift "towards the next era of Halo"
In the official announcement on the matter Tashi, Director of Competitive Engagement at Halo, stated the studio felt the timing was right to move on from Halo Infinite.
"As the studio continues to shift more and more towards the next era of Halo, we feel this is the right time for Official HCS Competition to move on from Halo Infinite. Year 4 will be the final Official HCS events for Halo Infinite, and now’s your last chance to be part of this momentous chapter of Halo esports history."
Tashi, Director, Competitive Engagement at Halo via an official announcement
Halo Infinite is not the first game to be part of the HCS, it is in fact the fourth. It was first introduced after the HCS resumed following the COVID pandemic in 2021.
| 2014 - 2015 | Halo 2: Anniversary |
| 2016 - 2018 | Halo 5: Guardians |
| 2019 | Halo 3 |
| 2020 | - |
| 2021 - 2025 | Halo Infinite |
New Halo game in HCS for 2026?
The removal of Halo Infinite from HCS does open up a spot for a brand new Halo game. 2026 is also the 25th Anniversary of the Halo franchise, with rumours of a potential Halo: Combat Evolved remake.
There has yet to be any official announcement regarding a new Halo game. However, the World Championships in October would be the perfect platform to announce what's coming in 2026, if not before.
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