Romario Beckford of Dallas, Texas Crowned 2026 UNO Champion; Earns $50,000 Grand Prize

Mattel’s UNO Championship Series Tournament Took Place in Los Angeles, Bringing the Iconic Game to Life as a Live Competitive Entertainment Experience

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mattel announced that Romario Beckford of Dallas, Texas, a native of Jamaica, was crowned the 2026 UNO Champion, outlasting 47 finalists from around the world across three rounds of competition to claim the coveted champion title and a $50,000 grand prize. Held November 11 at WePlay Studios in Los Angeles, and streamed live on Twitch, the UNO Championship Series tournament brought together top players for a high-stakes showdown hosted by actors and comedians Owen Thiele and Amita Rao.

Across three rounds of competition, players navigated surprise house rules, including Deuces Wild, Swap Hands 7 and Double Skip, while the Twitch chat helped shape the action with live voting. The entertainment extended beyond the tables with magician appearances and even a tattoo moment featuring artist Flow, with a spin of the wheel selecting the ink design. Shifting alliances and strategic sabotage added drama as the field narrowed from eight tables in the opening round to four tables in the second before the final showdown of five finalists.

Beckford, who secured his spot through the UNO! Mobile app digital qualifiers, prepared for the championship by playing UNO! Mobile daily, practicing with his family and honing his card-memorization skills. He clinched the title with a final red skip card, taking home the $50,000 grand prize and an official UNO Championship belt. “Winning is everything. I love to win,” said Beckford.

UNO Championship Series is a competitive live entertainment experience that transforms the world’s #1 traditional card game into a global competition. Players earned their way to the live championship in Los Angeles through in-person qualifying events in Kissimmee, Chicago and El Segundo, as well as digital qualifiers through the UNO! Mobile app. Rounding out the field, global fans were invited to compete, bringing together UNO players from around the world for the ultimate championship showdown.

Katie Buford, Vice President and Global Head of Mattel Games, Mattel, said: “The 2026 UNO Championship Series was a night to remember, bringing the excitement of UNO to life through a first-of-its-kind live tournament. From fierce competition to plenty of laughs, elite players went head-to-head for the title of UNO Champion, while fans around the world tuned in live on Twitch. The event showcased just how fun UNO is to watch, further solidifying its place in pop culture.”

The 2026 UNO Champion may have been crowned, but the competition doesn’t stop there. Fans can bring the excitement home with the UNO Championship Series product line, featuring tournament-style gameplay, an official Championship Belt and Card Shuffler, or jump into UNO Championship Series Reverse, a new UNO!™ Mobile tournament kicking off November 12. Visit Mattel Shop to shop the Championship Series collection or download UNO! Mobile on the App Store or Google Play to get in the game.

About Mattel

Mattel is a leading global play and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Matchbox®, Monster High®, Polly Pocket®, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us at mattel.com