The first circuit of the 2026 PUBG Global Series, spanning PGS 1 to PGS 3, has concluded, crowning a different champion in each series. A new Esports Data Report for PGS Circuit 1 reveals the strategic choices made by professional players.
Gun Play: The AUG Era Continues
The AUG remains the dominant assault rifle, boasting a 62.5% equip rate, an increase from 60.2% at PGC 2025. This places it 44 percentage points ahead of the second-place M416 (18.2%), solidifying its position in the pro meta.
In the DMR/SR category, the MK12 held first place at 45.4%, though this marks an 8% drop from PGC 2025 (53.6%). The Mini14 saw a rise from 31.5% to 37.5%. Sniper Rifle (SR) usage also increased from 4.1% to 5.8% within this category, with DNS_DIEL leading SR kills with 8, followed by AL_Himass and AL_Destroyy tied at 6.
Tactical Equipment: Throw It, Block It, Hide in It
17Gaming showcased an aggressive playstyle, averaging 8.55 grenades per match and leading in Molotov Cocktail usage (1.43 per match).
DN SOOPers adopted a vision-control strategy, ranking highest in both Flashbang (2.96 per match) and Smoke Grenade (11.8 per match) usage. Teams also effectively utilized the Blue Zone Grenade and Emergency Cover Flare.
Mortar & Panzerfaust: No Longer Optional
Equipment that was experimental at PGC 2025 has become standard. Mortar usage more than doubled from 249 to 587 total fires, with hit rate climbing from 16.5% to 18.9%. 17Gaming's tiantianhaovo recorded the most Mortar kills with 7.
The Panzerfaust saw an even more dramatic increase in effectiveness, with its hit rate jumping from 50.7% to 59.5%. DN SOOPers' DIEL led all players with 4 Panzerfaust kills.
PGS Moments: Who Got Got?
- 11 players were eliminated by BRDMs, with 17Gaming's xwudd accounting for two of these.
- Three players were knocked out by Emergency Cover: 17_tiantianhaovo, VIT_QWZYYY, and DNS_Heaven.
- CR_Pio, TE_Clories, TE_TanVuu, PeRo_Cui711, and FUR_zkraken tied for the most Recalls with 4 each.
Circuit 1 Final Records
- Champions: Petrichor Road (PGS 1, 95pts), Natus Vincere (PGS 2, 93pts), and Virtus.pro (PGS 3, 136pts).
- NAVI_Hakatory was the standout individual player, leading in both kills (92) and damage (19,590).
- Natus Vincere secured the most Chicken Dinners with 7.
- The longest kill of the circuit was achieved by VIT_Lev4nte at 831m, taking down NAVI_boost1k- during Match 5 of the PGS 2 Survival Stage.
The meta for Circuit 2 remains to be seen, with further analysis expected in the next Esports Data Report.
