Riot Games announces new Worlds 2026 Play-In format

Riot Games has announced a significant format change for the League of Legends World Championship Play-In stage in 2026. The new structure will feature a double-elimination bracket consisting of four teams competing for a single spot in the Main Stage.

For the first time, the Play-In stage will not include any representatives from the Chinese (LPL) or Korean (LCK) leagues. Instead, the four slots will be filled by the third seed from the LEC, the third seed from the LCS, the third seed from the LCP, and the second seed from the CBLOL.

MVK Esports from Vietnam has already secured a position in the tournament after finishing third in the LCP. Other participants will be determined through regional finals in Nice, Atlanta, and Rio de Janeiro throughout September and October.