Overview
Splash Sports is offering a real-money World Cup Survivor contest for the 2026 World Cup (June 11 – July 19). This is the first paid contest format Splash has offered for the World Cup, and it is fully managed by Splash — meaning Splash handles entries, prize pool management, and payouts on your behalf.
About the 2026 World Cup Survivor Contest
The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 teams across 12 groups of 4. Each team plays the other 3 teams in their group during the Group Stage. The top 2 teams from each group automatically advance, plus the 8 best third-place finishers — bringing the total to 32 teams entering the single-elimination knockout bracket.
Contest Format
The Splash-managed World Cup Survivor is a two-phase survival contest covering the full tournament — from the Group Stage through the Final.
Phase 1 — Group Stage
Before the tournament begins, each entrant selects 4 teams they believe will advance out of the Group Stage to the Round of 32.
Picks can come from any group.
Each team's modeled probability of advancing is displayed on the pick sheet to help inform selections.
All 4 picks must advance to survive Phase 1. If even one selected team is eliminated in the Group Stage, the entry is eliminated.
The pick sheet locks at the kickoff of the first Group Stage match — June 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET.
Phase 2 — Knockout Stage
Entries that survive the Group Stage move on to the Knockout Stage. Starting from the Round of 32, entrants pick 1 team per round to win their match.
A win advances the entry to the next round.
A loss (including a penalty shootout loss) eliminates the entry.
The Knockout Stage runs through:
Round of 32
Round of 16
Quarterfinals (Round of 8)
Semifinals (Round of 4)
Final
Note: The 3rd-place match is not included.
Team Use Limit
Teams selected during the Group Stage phase count against the team use limit for the Knockout Stage. If a team was used in Phase 1, it may not be available to pick again in the Knockout Stage depending on the contest's team use settings. Plan your Group Stage picks with the full tournament in mind.
What "Splash-Managed" Means
Unlike self-managed (entertainment-only) contests, a Splash-managed contest means:
Splash collects entry fees directly from participants.
Splash manages the prize pool and distributes winnings to survivors.
The contest format and settings are configured by Splash — commissioners do not need to set up or manage contest rules.
Splash provides official support for any entry, pick, or payout questions.
How to Win
The last surviving entry wins the prize pool. If multiple entries survive through the Final, the prize is split equally among all remaining entries. If all remaining entries are eliminated in the same round, those entries split the prize equally.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the contest open?
The contest is expected to go live in mid-May 2026, giving entrants time to join ahead of the June 11 tournament kickoff.
When do picks lock?
Group Stage picks lock at the kickoff of the first Group Stage match — June 11, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET. Knockout Stage picks lock at the start of each individual game.
Is there an entertainment-only option?
Yes — entertainment-only (self-managed) World Cup Survivor contests are also available for commissioners who want to run their own pool with entry fees and payouts handled outside of Splash. A service fee is required to host on the platform.
What happens if I miss a pick?
Missing a Knockout Stage pick is treated the same as an incorrect pick and will result in elimination (or loss of a life, if the contest includes multiple lives).
Questions? Email support@splashsports.com.