How many players are in an esports team?
I · Intermediate · The basics · 1 of 4A team is its players, substitutes and coach; a VALORANT team fields five players with up to one substitute, and a PUBG team four. Rosters are fixed at a roster lock, usually two to four weeks before the event. After that, only an approved emergency substitute can join, for a real emergency such as a medical problem or a refused visa.
How it works
- VALORANT: five players, up to one substitute, one or two coaches.
- PUBG: four or five players, up to six members in all.
- Roster lock: usually two to four weeks before the event.
- Swaps: in VALORANT between games, approved within 5 minutes.
- Emergency substitute: only for emergencies outside the team's control.
- Not emergencies: a player quitting, a holiday, poor form.
- Age: at least 18 at the first match in both games.
- One team per club: in each game's main event.
The glossary has the team (esports), the roster, the roster lock, the substitute (esports), the emergency substitute and the age limit (esports).
Tricky cases
A player's visa is refused despite applying on time. Can the team replace them?
Yes, with an emergency substitute, if documented.
A player is benched for poor form. Emergency?
No.
Can a PUBG team change its line-up mid-day?
No. After the day's first match it is fixed unless the organisers allow it.
Can a club enter two teams in one game?
No. Only one team per organisation in a game's main event.
Why the rule exists
Fixed rosters stop teams buying in stronger players at the last moment. Emergency rules stop a team losing its place through bad luck.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| VALORANT | Five players | V 2.2.1 |
| PUBG | Four players a match | P 2.2, 5.4.1.2 |
| Emergencies | Roster lock lifted | G 2.2.2 |
From the rule book
Esports World Cup Foundation, Esports World Cup 2026 Global Rulebook, sections 1.1.4, 1.1.5 and 2.2, with the EWC 2026 VALORANT and PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS rule books, sections 2.1 to 2.5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official documents: the Esports World Cup 2026 rule books.