Halo Infinite to Retire from HCS After 2025 World Championship

Halo Infinite is leaving HCS

Halo Infinite will officially exit the Halo Championship Series (HCS) following the 2025 Halo World Championship in October, marking the end of an era for the franchise’s esports ecosystem.

Since its launch in 2021, Halo Infinite has been the central competitive title for HCS, reviving the scene after a multi-year hiatus. It became a cornerstone for high-level Halo esports, drawing major organizations back into the fold.

However, according to a post on the Halo Waypoint blog by Tahir "Tashi" Hasandjekic, the HCS will “retire” the game from official competition after this year’s championship event, scheduled for October 24–26.

Tashi, Director of Competitive Engagement at Halo Studios, explained that the shift is part of the studio’s move toward the “next era of Halo.” While community-run events and light competitive support will continue into 2026—including tournaments for Halo Infinite, Halo 5, and MCC—official HCS competition will not return until a new title is ready. That, however, won’t be happening in 2026.

The news has sparked concern and speculation among fans and players alike, especially since no successor title has been announced. For some, it feels like a strange decision to step away from Infinite without a clear follow-up. Others interpret it as a strong hint that a new Halo game might be closer than expected—possibly lined up for a reveal during the franchise’s 25th anniversary in 2026.

“Year 4 will be the final Official HCS events for Halo Infinite,” he wrote. “Now’s your last chance to be part of this momentous chapter of Halo esports history.”

In the coming months, two more Major events are on the schedule: HCS Major Charlotte hosted by FaZe and HCS Major Salt Lake City hosted by Spacestation Gaming. These will lead up to the grand finale at the Halo World Championship 2025, where not only the last Infinite champion will be crowned, but MVPs for both the year and the entire Halo Infinite HCS era will be honored.

Looking ahead, Halo Studios (formerly 343 Industries) promises that competitive Halo won’t disappear altogether. The studio plans to support grassroots-level events and has teased a special celebration in 2026 for Halo’s 25th anniversary. Still, fans are being told to temper their expectations—official HCS play won’t return next year. More updates are expected sometime in late 2026.