Riot Games has unveiled the complete 2026 League of Legends Esports calendar, featuring major tournaments across three continents and culminating in a historic Worlds Final in New York City.
The LoL Esports 2026 roadmap is here, and it promises a year of high-stakes competition spanning from Brazil to South Korea and finally to the United States. After T1's legendary third consecutive World Championship in 2025, the stage is set for another thrilling season of regional battles and international glory.
Regional Leagues Kick Off in January
The LoL Esports 2026 action begins this month with regional leagues launching across the globe:
- LCK (Korea) & LPL (China): January 14, 2026
- LCP (Asia-Pacific): January 16, 2026
- LEC (EMEA) & CBLOL (Brazil): January 17, 2026
- LCS (North America): January 24, 2026
With the new three-split structure rolling out across all regions, teams will have more opportunities to prove themselves before the international tournaments begin.
First Stand 2026: Brazil Brings the Heat
The international season officially kicks off with First Stand 2026, held in São Paulo, Brazil, at the Riot Games Arena (CBLOL Studio) from March 16–22, 2026.
This marks the first international LoL Esports event in Brazil since 2017, bringing elite competition back to one of the world's most passionate fanbases. The tournament has been expanded to feature 8 teams (up from 5 in previous years), with representation from:
- 2 LCK teams
- 2 LPL teams
- 1 LEC team
- 1 LCS team
- 1 CBLOL team
- 1 LCP team
Every match will be played in a best-of-five format, raising the stakes from the very first game. The tournament will also impact MSI seeding, with the winning region earning a Play-In Stage bye. Tickets go on sale via Eventim on January 20, 2026, at 1 pm BRT / 8 am PST.
MSI 2026: Mid-Season Action in South Korea
For the mid-season showdown, the circuit returns to South Korea for the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), taking place in Daejeon from June 26 to July 12, 2026.
This marks MSI's first return to Korea since 2022 and the first time the tournament has been held in Daejeon, a city known for its innovation and technology. As the first major international trophy of the year, MSI will see teams battle for both glory and a potential automatic bid to Worlds. More venue and event details will be shared soon.
Worlds 2026: A Historic Finish in New York City
The 2026 League of Legends World Championship returns to North America, featuring a unique split-venue approach designed to centralize competition and reduce travel fatigue.
Play-Ins Through Semifinals: Allen, Texas
The early stages of Worlds, Play-Ins, Swiss Stage, Quarterfinals, and Semifinals will take place at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas, just north of Dallas-Fort Worth. This venue delivered electric energy during the 2025 LTA Championship and was chosen for its central North American location and ability to host large, passionate crowds.
LoL Worlds 2026 Final: New York City
For the first time in history, the World Championship Final will be held in New York City. While the specific venue has not been confirmed, expectations are high for a legendary arena like Madison Square Garden or Barclays Center.
This finale will celebrate the legacy, creativity, and global unity of League of Legends on a stage built for unforgettable moments.
New Competitive Format: First Selection
Riot Games is introducing a new mechanic called "First Selection" to give teams more strategic flexibility in LoL Esports 2026. Instead of simply choosing sides, teams will now choose between:
- Which side to play on (Blue or Red), or
- Whether to pick first or second in the draft
The opposing team will then choose from the remaining option. This change aims to reduce side advantage variance and prioritize player and team agency over system-driven advantages. The update will roll out across all regions at the start of the 2026 season.
From São Paulo to Daejeon to New York City, the LoL Esports 2026 Roadmap delivers a globe-spanning season of competition, innovation, and unforgettable moments for players and fans alike.