Six Invitational 2026 Playoffs Heat Up with Crucial Matches in Paris

The Six Invitational 2026 playoffs intensified on Monday, February 9, with four crucial best-of-three matches taking place behind closed doors in Paris. The day's action featured matchups between some of Rainbow Six Siege's most elite teams, including Dplus KIA facing Daystar Gaming and Shopify Rebellion taking on Ninjas in Pyjamas at 11:00 CET, followed by M80 battling G2 Esports and Team Heretics confronting Oxygen Esports at 14:30 CET. These matches represent the second day of Playoffs Phase 1, which runs from February 8-10 before the tournament moves to its arena setting for the later rounds.

The Six Invitational is Rainbow Six Siege's most prestigious annual tournament, bringing together the world's best teams to compete for esports' most iconic trophy in the tactical shooter genre. This year's event, taking place from February 2-15 in Paris, features a prize pool that attracts top-tier competition from every major region. The tournament format includes a group stage that concluded last week, followed by multiple playoff phases that will determine which teams advance to the grand finals scheduled for February 15.

Monday's matches carry significant weight as teams fight to stay alive in the double-elimination bracket format. The matchup between M80 and G2 Esports particularly captured the attention of fans, as both organizations have storied histories in Rainbow Six competitive play. M80 struggled on the opening day of playoffs with a 0-2 loss to Spacestation Gaming on February 8, putting additional pressure on the team to perform and avoid elimination. G2 Esports, meanwhile, barely survived the group stage according to tournament observers, making their playoff run even more precarious.

Shopify Rebellion and Ninjas in Pyjamas represented another intriguing clash of styles and regional pride. Shopify Rebellion has been building momentum throughout the season, while the legendary Ninjas in Pyjamas organization brings decades of esports experience across multiple games. The best-of-three format means teams must win two maps to advance, with each map featuring the intense, round-based tactical gameplay that defines Rainbow Six Siege at the highest level of competition.

The behind-closed-doors format for these early playoff rounds means only essential personnel and teams are present in the venue, with fans following the action through official broadcasts and streams. This setup allows tournament organizers to maintain focus and competitive integrity before the event moves to its public arena phase, where thousands of fans will pack the venue to watch the semifinals and finals live. The atmosphere at Six Invitational events is renowned for its energy and passion, with French fans expected to create an electric environment once public attendance begins.

As the tournament progresses, every match becomes more crucial and every round more intense. Teams that advance from Monday's matches will face even stiffer competition in the coming days, while those eliminated will see their dreams of Six Invitational glory end for another year. With millions of dollars in prize money and international prestige on the line, the Six Invitational 2026 continues to deliver the high-stakes tactical shooter action that has made it a cornerstone of the Rainbow Six Siege competitive calendar.