First Stand Tournament (FST)
In 2026, FST returns for its second year - this time hosted in Brazil at the end of the first split. Building on the foundation established in its debut season, the event will again feature formats such as Fearless Draft, which removes previously played champions from the remainder of a series and encourages deeper strategic adaptation. FST will include two teams from each of the top two regions from Worlds 2025 for a total of 8 teams, with all other regions sending one representative, creating a competitive field that showcases global strength while maintaining broad regional participation.
Mid-Season Invitational (MSI)
The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) is a high-stakes showdown where only the best of the best will emerge. This tournament, which bridges the gap between the spring and summer splits, offers more than just the title and recognition, it’s a critical opportunity for teams and regions to gain an advantage heading into Worlds.
MSI 2026 will feature 11 teams from six major leagues: two each from LCK, LCS, LEC, LCP and LPL, and one from CBLOL. Each of these leagues will send their top team(s) to represent their region, ensuring that only the best talent from each corner of the globe will compete.
The road to becoming the MSI Champion will unfold across two stages. The tournament begins with a Play-In Stage, where four of the eleven teams will battle it out. Only the top one team from this stage will advance to the Bracket Stage, joining seven pre-qualified teams in a showdown that will ultimately crown the MSI Champion.
The MSI Champion will earn a guaranteed slot at Worlds, provided they meet the competitive requirement in the summer split set by the regional league. This additional Worlds slot serves as a powerful motivator, allowing the champion team to focus on refining their performance for the year’s ultimate competition. Additionally, the region of the MSI runner-up will also gain an extra slot at Worlds, boosting its representation and giving another team a shot at international glory.
World Championship (Worlds)
The League of Legends World Championship is the pinnacle of LoL Esports. Worlds 2026, hosted in the USA, will showcase a total of 17 teams competing for the title of world champion.
A total of 18 participating teams will be allocated through regional slots, with LCK, LCP LCS, LEC, and LPL each receiving three, and CBLOL receiving one. The two remaining slots are awarded based on performance at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), making the total number of participating teams to be 18. This structure maintains global representation while rewarding top performance, ensuring that the strongest regions and teams are well-represented on the world stage.
Four of the participating teams will compete in the Play Ins Stage, with the top two teams advancing to the Swiss Stage.
The Swiss Stage will feature a five-round, Swiss-style format, in which teams with the same win-loss record will compete against each other until they achieve three wins or three losses. Matches that determine advancement or elimination will be best-of-three, while the others will be best-of-one.
The Knockout Stage will feature eight teams that qualify from the Swiss Stage. Based on their placement in Swiss, they will be drawn into a best-of-five single elimination bracket. This bracket includes Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals and will determine the 2026 World Champion.
Worlds is the most widely viewed and followed esports tournament and is among the world's largest and most popular gaming and sporting events. With more than a decade’s worth of champions, we’re excited for many more years of the best of the best battling it out on the Worlds stage.
