Avalanche Build Games: Compete for $1M in Web3 Prizes

If you are a developer looking to fund your vision, the Avalanche Build Games are the ultimate opportunity in 2026. This competition is designed to kickstart experimentation from the grassroots on the Avalanche network, offering a total prize pool of $1 million for those who dare to build innovative on-chain applications.

Unlike other events, here there are no predefined "tracks" or themes; the organization seeks original ideas and teams willing to take risks.

How do the Avalanche Build Games prizes work?

The reward system of the Avalanche Build Games is unique because it is outcome-driven. The $1,000,000 USD pool is distributed through a milestone unlock model, ensuring projects have continuity.

The official breakdown is as follows:

• Grand Prize ($100,000): You receive $25,000 upfront, and the remaining $75,000 unlocks upon meeting specific milestones.
• Second Place ($75,000): $25,000 upfront and $50,000 via milestones.
• Third Place ($50,000): $25,000 upfront and $25,000 via milestones.

Additionally, there is a $30,000 referral pool. If you refer the first-place winning team, you get $10,000; if you refer the second, $7,500; and the third, $5,500.

Timeline and Eligibility

Applications for the Avalanche Build Games are open from January 20th and tentatively close on February 13th. Acceptance letters are sent on a rolling basis, the competition begins in February, and the finals will be held in March.

Who can participate? The event is open to crypto-native developers, teams new to Avalanche, builders between projects, or anyone with a new idea. You can even submit multiple projects if you have the capacity to execute them.

Evaluation Criteria

Judges are not looking for short-term traction or extremely polished products. The evaluation is holistic and prioritizes experimentation, originality, and long-term potential. Special value is placed on the team's willingness to take technical risks and execution relative to the project's stage.

Don't just build code, build the future: your legacy on the Avalanche network starts today.