The “Candy Crush All Stars” competition has named Luana from Bahia, Brazil as its 2026 champion.
After weeks of remote competition among millions of “Candy Crush” players across 25 countries, art student Luana secured a spot in the Live Final. Last week, she came out victorious in the closing game of the tournament’s biggest-ever Live Final in London.
Luana walked away with a share of the $1 million prize and a custom Candy Crush-inspired championship ring crated by Icebox. The ring is set with sapphires, rubies, emeralds and pink sapphires to replicate the colorbombs, blue wrapped candy dome and more treats from the mobile game with the “Candy Crush Saga” name etched in gold along the band.
“I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember,” Luana told Variety. “I used to be really imaginative. I’ve dreamt about competing in live tournaments, picture a host commentating on my moves, imagine the venue, the opponents. The fact that ‘Candy Crush All Stars’ exists and I got to compete in it feels like it came straight out of my own imagination. I feel like I’m honouring a younger version of myself by literally living her dreams.”
Luana added: “I have the most supportive family. I played from my living room so I could be around them the whole time. My father would massage my hands and arms while I was playing, and my mother stayed with me helping me keep track of my opponents’ scores. It was a real team effort. I just happened to be the one holding the phone.”
Per “Candy Crush Sag” developer King: “The Live Final marked a major evolution for the competition, transforming what began as everyday mobile play into a full-scale live spectacle. Finalists from the United States, Brazil, Germany, Spain, and beyond, competed on stage in front of fans, family, and media. For the first time, the Live Final introduced a bonus round – a fast-paced, high-intensity challenge that pushed players to their limits in a way the competition has never seen before – with the winner of that bonus round walking away with an additional $10,000.”
“At King, we’ve always believed that casual games can create moments of real skill, connection and joy at a huge scale,” King president Todd Green said. “‘All Stars’ brings that to life in a way that only ‘Candy Crush’ can. Seeing the finalists bring their passion and talent to a live stage in London to compete at such a high level is a powerful reminder of what makes our community so special. This tournament was built for our players, and they continue to surprise and inspire us.”