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By: Oliver Hawthorne

Casual mobile games are often written off as disposable. King’s 2026 Candy Crush All Stars tournament blows that myth out of the water. After 10 years, the game isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving on high-stakes, community-driven competition.

On June 12, 2026, London hosted the biggest Candy Crush All Stars final yet. Luana, an art student from Bahia, Brazil, took home the top prize. She beat millions of players across 25 countries to claim the title. The finalists came from the U.S., Germany, Spain, and beyond. A husband-wife duo from California’s Bay Area even made the cut. The prize pool totals $1 million. Luana also got a custom Icebox ring. It’s set with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and pink sapphires. The gems form iconic Candy Crush shapes like Colorbombs. A spinning blue Wrapped Candy sits at its center. This year added a new bonus round. The fastest player won an extra $10,000. King’s President Todd Green praised the community’s skill and passion. Candy Crush launched over a decade ago. It still has 200 million monthly active users. The 2021 tournament was held in London on an intimate scale. This year’s event was its most ambitious yet.

King’s tournament isn’t just for fun—it’s a retention machine. Casual players who join the competition start logging in daily. They connect with other fans, share tips, and feel part of something bigger. This turns occasional users into loyal, long-term players. For mobile game developers, this is a blueprint. Instead of chasing new users nonstop, invest in turning existing players into community members. It’s the only way to beat the industry’s brutal 18-month average lifespan.

Author bio: Oliver Hawthorne, Principal Correspondent at TechGlobal Review, covers mobile gaming trends and user engagement strategies worldwide.