The League of Legends 2026 World Championships Main Event begins Friday October 23, 2026 and we will see one team crowned on Saturday November 14, 2026. This is the biggest event of the year for the game, with many teams qualifying for a chance to hoist the Summoner’s Cup. As usual, the LCK (South Korea) and LPL (China) both respectively will have four teams representing their regions. These two regions have been the powerhouses of League of Legends ever since teams began to be formed back in 2012 and 2013. There are also three representatives from the LEC (Europe), two representatives from LCS (North America), two representatives from the rest of the APAC region, and finally one representative from Brazil. The tournament starts off with a Swiss Stage format, which is where teams will face off against opponents that have similar standings and also to ensure that the same teams do not face each other more than once. However, that will come into effect after the first day of games. For the first round, teams from the same region will not be able to face each other. The playoffs will begin once eight teams have made it out of the Swiss Stage, leading to a random draw. The playoffs will be a knockout format, with every series being a best of five.
LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea)
South Korea has been the most dominant region throughout the history of League of Legends, winning the World Championship 10 times. This year’s representatives include Gen.G, a two-time world championship team under the previous name “Samsung Galaxy”; Hanwha Life Esports, the current Mid-Season Invitational Champions; Dplus Kia, a former world championship team under the previous name “DAMWON Gaming”; and finally T1, a six-time world championship team and reigning world champions.
For Gen.G, they have historically been a team that performs the best throughout the year, but have been unable to make it to the finals for the last ten years. They had some struggles earlier in the year, but have since bounced back. This year could be their best and final chance to finally reclaim the world championship for their organization once again.
For Hanwha Life Esports, they are a team that managed to recruit some of the best veteran players in the world today, including last year’s Finals MVP, “Gumayusi.” They were able to claim the Mid-Season Invitational championship earlier this year and look to claim their first world championship for their organization.
For Dplus Kia, they have struggled to climb back to the top after their success back in 2020 and 2021. With a roster mixed with veterans and younger talent, they look to repeat their success and become a championship team once again.
For T1, they are arguably the greatest organization in League of Legends history, led by the greatest player of all time, Faker. They are the current world champions, the only team to ever three-peat and the only team to ever win the world championship six times, with Faker being a part of all six of those wins. While T1 has looked shaky throughout the year, they always make their fans believe when it comes to the world championship. They look to continue making history as they aim to claim their seventh world championship.
LPL (LoL Pro League)
China has produced some of the strongest teams in League of Legends, with their region bringing home the world championship trophy 3 times. This year’s representatives include Anyone’s Legend, the current champions of LPL’s 2026 season; Bilibili Gaming, the current First Stand 2026 champions; Top Esports; and Invictus Gaming, a former world championship team.
For Anyone’s Legend, they nearly defeated T1 last year in the quarterfinals before ultimately being defeated 2-3. They are a strong team that looks to claim their first world championship for their organization.
For Bilibili Gaming, they are coming off a strong year where they won the First Stand Championship at the beginning of the year. They also had a strong showing at the Mid-Season Invitational before falling to Hanwha Life Esports in the finals. They have been close to success before, nearly defeating T1 back in the 2024 finals of the World Championship.
For Top Esports, they have been a consistent presence at many international tournaments, however, they often find themselves struggling against many other top teams from either their region, as well as teams from Korea. They are often an underdog once the playoffs roll around.
For Invictus Gaming, they are looking to reclaim the world championship. Two of their players from that same championship team have returned to the roster and are looking to become the first Chinese organization to win the world championship twice.
LEC (League of Legends EMEA Championship)
Europe has been able to produce strong showings at many international tournaments, however, they have only been able to claim the world championship once back in the very first season. This year’s representatives include G2 Esports, Movistar KOI, and Karmine Corp.
For G2 Esports, they have reached the world championships finals once before falling to the now disbanded Chinese organization, FunPlus Phoenix. They are one of the few western teams that have managed to defeat several Korean and Chinese teams in best of 5 series and have historically been the most dominant team that has ever come out of Europe. They are looking to finally climb to the top and claim the world championship for their organization for the very first time.
Movistar KOI are a relatively newer organization that are still establishing their footing on the international stage. They look to make a strong showing at this year’s world championships.
Karmine Corp has been steadily growing over the last few years. They have had very strong showings throughout the year at international and domestic tournaments, and have also been growing a very loyal fanbase. They look to continue to establish themselves on the international stage.
LCS (League Championship Series)
North America has produced some of the most popular organizations throughout all of gaming history. However, that popularity has not been able to lead them to much success on the international stage, the region has only reached the finals once in the very first season and has not been able to make it back since. This year’s representatives include Team Liquid and LYON.
Team Liquid has been one of North America’s strongest teams and has made it to the finals of the Mid-Season Invitational back in 2019 before falling to G2 Esports. The team is made up of several strong veteran players, including former world champ “CoreJJ.”
LYON is a newer organization, however, they have been able to quickly gain popularity after forming a very strong roster before the start of the 2026 season. They have put on very strong showings against teams like G2 Esports and Hanwha Life Esports.
Asia-Pacific & Brazil
The APAC region has one former world championship team called the Taipei Assassins. However, since then the region has not seen any other international success. Brazil has also been unable to make an impact on the international stage in League of Legends. This year’s representatives for the APAC region are Team Secret Whales and CTBC Flying Oyster; and Brazil’s representative is LØS.
All three of these teams are considered to be underdogs and are aiming to make strong showings on the international stage.
Matchups To Watch For
T1 vs Gen.G: A historical matchup that has resulted in very exciting and close games. The two Korean teams have been challenging one another since 2013, when they were known respectively as SKT and Samsung Galaxy. If another matchup happens, this one will be one to tune in for.
T1 vs Hanwha Life Esports: This matchup has some personal history to it. Two of Hanwha’s players were originally part of T1’s team back during their world championship dominance from 2023-2025. Zeus, the top laner won 2 world championships on that roster from 2023 and 2024, along with a finals MVP in 2024; while Gumayusi, the bottom laner, has won 3 world championships from 2023-2025, along with being the finals MVP of last year’s world championship. It will be interesting to see these two go head to head, as Hanwha has been the more dominant team during the LCK season.
Gen.G vs Hanwha Life Esports: These two teams have been the top teams for the LCK season. While this rivalry is still relatively new, the games that Gen.G and Hanwha are able to put on have been incredibly exciting to watch.
Hanwha Life Esports vs Bilibili Gaming: A repeat of the Mid-Season Invitational Finals will be an exciting series to watch. Last time these two teams met, Hanwha was able to get the better of Bilibili. It will be interesting to see who will come out on top this time.
Hanwha Life Esports vs LYON: Back at the Mid-Season Invitational, LYON pushed Hanwha to the brink and nearly were able to pull off the upset. However, the players on Hanwha managed to stay calm and pull out the victory. Could LYON possibly pull off the upset this time around?
LCK vs LPL: Matchups between the two powerhouse regions have always been exciting to watch.
T1 vs LPL: T1 historically has never lost to the LPL in a best of five at a World Championship tournament. As the caster “Drakos” said at the conclusion of T1 vs JDG during Worlds 2023, “It is not LPL vs the LCK! It is T1 vs the LPL! And they like! Those! Odds!”
North America vs Europe: A rivalry that has been around since the beginning of League of Legends Esports. If you like matchups with trash talk and disrespect, then definitely tune into any of these matchups, especially if LYON is playing.
Make sure to tune in for the start of the League of Legends 2026 World Championship starting Friday October 24, 2026 at 10:00AM PT and support your favorite team!
