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ExileCon 2026 Race Qualifier Guide
The ExileCon 2026 Path of Exile 2 race is the big endgame event of the year: four open qualifiers, one winner each, and a live finale in New Zealand for the championship. Here is everything you need to know to enter and understand the format.
- The format in one line
- Qualifier schedule
- Rules you need to know
- How to enter
- The prize pool
- The live finale
The format in one line
In each qualifier, every player races through the campaign as Solo Self-Found (SSF) on a fixed map layout, and the first person to kill Tavakai in Act Four wins the event. It is not a Hardcore race, but dying costs you: after every death you cannot move your character for two and a half minutes before continuing.
Qualifier schedule
Four open qualifiers ran weekly through August 2026. Each was open to PC and console players, and each produced one winner.
| Qualifier | Date (GMT+2) |
|---|---|
| Qualifier One | Aug 06, 2026 · 11:00 PM |
| Qualifier Two | Aug 13, 2026 · 11:00 PM |
| Qualifier Three | Aug 20, 2026 · 11:00 PM |
| Qualifier Four | Aug 27, 2026 · 11:00 PM |
Rules you need to know
- Solo Self-Found — no trading, no party play. Everything you use comes from what you find.
- Fixed layout — the campaign is set to a fixed layout, so routing and pace are what separate racers, not RNG.
- Not Hardcore — you won't lose your character on death, but the 2.5-minute stationary penalty is a big pace hit, so playing carefully can still win you the race.
- Win condition — be the first to defeat Tavakai in Act 4.
How to enter
- Link your accounts: your Path of Exile account must be linked to your Twitch account (done via your account page on the website).
- Join in-game: on the Character Select screen, click the "Join" button for the race, then create a character. Your character stays stationary until the race officially begins.
- Participation is free and open to everyone.
The prize pool
The first player to kill Tavakai in each qualifier receives all of the following:
- Flights to Auckland, New Zealand for the ExileCon weekend
- Accommodation in Auckland for the ExileCon weekend
- Entrance into the ExileCon Path of Exile 2 Race Finale
- An Ultra VIP ExileCon ticket
- A Demigod's Virtue unique helmet
The live finale
The top racers from all four qualifiers come together for the championship in New Zealand. The finale is played on PC, and finalists can bring their own .build files and preferred peripherals. It is streamed on Twitch, hosted by ZiggyD and Raiz.
Source: official GGG announcement "Path of Exile 2 ExileCon Qualifiers Begin Next Week" (Jul 30, 2026). Schedule shown in GMT+2 as published.