The biggest esports tournament in League of Legends, the 2026 World Championship, or Worlds 2026, officially began on October 15, 2026. Organized annually by Riot Games, the tournament brings together the best teams from different regions to compete for the world championship title and lift the Summoner’s Cup.

Under the theme “THIS IS OUR MOMENT,” Worlds 2026 marks the culmination of the competitive journey for League of Legends players throughout the season. This year’s tournament takes place in the United States, with matches held across Los Angeles, Allen, Texas, and Brooklyn, New York.

A total of 19 teams from six competitive regions are participating in Worlds 2026. The competition is expected to be intense, particularly with the presence of top teams from South Korea and China. Representatives from Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific region, and Brazil also have opportunities to pull off upsets on the international stage.

List of 19 Teams Competing in League of Legends Worlds 2026

Below is the list of teams participating in Worlds 2026, organized by their respective competitive regions.

LPL (China)

• Anyone’s Legend (AL)
• Bilibili Gaming (BLG)
• Top Esports (TES)
• Invictus Gaming (IG)

LCK (South Korea)

• Gen.G (GEN)
• Hanwha Life Esports (HLE)
• T1 (T1)
• Dplus KIA (DK)

LEC (Europe)

• G2 Esports (G2)
• Movistar KOI (MKOI)
• Karmine Corp (KC)

LCS (North America)

• Team Liquid Alienware (TLAW)
• LYON (LYON)
• Cloud9 Kia (C9)

LCP (Asia-Pacific)

• Team Secret Whales (TSW)
• CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO)
• MVK Esports (MVK)

CBLOL (Brazil)

• LOS (LOS)
• FURIA (FUR)

T1 is one of the most closely watched teams after winning the World Championship in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The South Korean team has the opportunity to make history if it secures another championship title in 2026.

However, T1 will face a challenging road to victory. Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports from the LCK, along with Bilibili Gaming and Top Esports from the LPL, are among the teams to watch. Meanwhile, G2 Esports is also expected to lead Europe’s challenge against the top teams from Asia.

League of Legends Worlds 2026 Tournament Format and Schedule

Riot Games has divided Worlds 2026 into three main stages: the Play-In Stage, Swiss Stage, and Knockout Stage. Each stage features a different competition format to determine which teams advance toward the grand final.

Play-In Stage (October 15–18, 2026)

The opening stage takes place at Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles. Four teams compete in a double-elimination format featuring Best of Five (Bo5) series. Only one team will advance from this stage to the Swiss Stage.

Swiss Stage (October 23–31, 2026)

The Swiss Stage takes place at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. A total of 16 teams compete for eight spots in the Knockout Stage. Teams that secure three wins advance, while those that suffer three losses are eliminated.

Knockout Stage (November 3–14, 2026)

The knockout rounds take place from November 3 to 14. The quarterfinals are scheduled for November 3–6, followed by the semifinals on November 7–8. Matches use a Best of Five format, making consistency and strategy crucial factors in determining the winners.

The Worlds 2026 grand final will take place on November 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The two remaining teams will battle for the Summoner’s Cup and the League of Legends World Championship title.

In addition to the matches, Worlds 2026 also features an anthem titled Know My Name by True Damage. The virtual group, first introduced in 2019, returns as part of the League of Legends World Championship celebrations.

With 19 participating teams, cross-regional competition, and a grand final at one of New York’s iconic venues, Worlds 2026 provides a major stage for players to make history.

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