Mattel Launches UNO Championship Series, Offers $50,000 Prize in Live Tournament

Mattel announced Wednesday that it will run a new UNO Championship Series, a live competition that turns the popular card game into a high‑stakes tournament. The event will culminate on Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Los Angeles, where the winner will take home a $50,000 grand prize.

The series will begin with qualifying rounds that combine in‑person and online play. Three physical qualifiers will be held over the next two months: Oct. 3 in Kissimmee, Florida; Oct. 10 in Chicago, Illinois; and Oct. 17 in El Segundo, California. Each event will select one winner who will advance to the championship. In addition, fans across the United States can compete for a spot through free, weekly tournaments in the UNO! Mobile app from Aug. 31 through Sept. 27. The top four scorers from the digital qualifier final will also earn places in the Los Angeles finals.

The championship itself will be streamed live on Twitch, giving viewers a front‑row view of the action. Mattel’s Vice President and Global Head of Mattel Games, Katie Buford, said in a press release that the tournament “brings that excitement to the biggest stage yet, giving fans around the world a front‑row seat as elite players battle it out to become this year’s UNO Champion.”

To celebrate the event, Mattel has released a new line of Championship Series products. The set includes a tournament card deck, a championship belt, and a card shuffler, all of which are available now in the Mattel Shop.

UNO was originally developed in 1971 by Merle Robbins and was acquired by Mattel in 1992. The game has long been a staple of casual play, but the Championship Series marks the first time it has been positioned as a competitive, prize‑based event. The format mirrors the structure of other tabletop and card‑game tournaments that have moved into the esports arena.

The tournament’s schedule and prize structure are clear. Players who win their in‑person qualifier or finish in the top four of the digital qualifier will travel to Los Angeles for the final. The event will run on Nov. 11, and the winner will receive $50,000. The live stream on Twitch will allow fans worldwide to watch the matches in real time.

Mattel’s announcement comes at a time when tabletop games are increasingly intersecting with digital platforms. The UNO! Mobile app’s inclusion in the qualification process demonstrates the company’s intent to bridge physical and virtual play. The tournament also highlights Twitch’s role as a venue for live streaming non‑video‑game competitions.

As of today, the qualifiers are underway. Participants can register for the in‑person events through Mattel’s official website, while the mobile app offers free weekly tournaments. The final event in Los Angeles is scheduled for Nov. 11, and the prize pool remains set at $50,000.

The UNO Championship Series represents Mattel’s effort to expand the brand’s reach beyond traditional retail and into competitive entertainment. The tournament’s structure, prize, and streaming platform provide a clear roadmap for players and fans who want to engage with the game at a new level.

The next steps for interested players are to sign up for one of the qualifying events or to compete in the mobile app’s weekly tournaments. Winners of the qualifiers will be announced shortly before the Nov. 11 final, which will be streamed on Twitch for viewers worldwide.