Riot Games Reveals 2026 League of Legends Esports Schedule
On Friday, Riot Games shared new information about the 2026 international League of Legends esports calendar, along with a new cinematic made with longtime partner Fortiche. The announcement includes details about host cities, tournament formats, and viewing milestones for the upcoming competitive season.
Record-Breaking Play-Ins Viewership
Riot highlighted that the Worlds 2025 Play-Ins reached a historic peak. The match between T1 and Invictus Gaming became the most-watched Play-Ins game ever, although exact viewership numbers were not disclosed. This milestone demonstrates ongoing global enthusiasm for League of Legends esports.
Key 2026 Events and Formats
- Stand Tournament: Scheduled for March 16-22 at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. It will feature two double-elimination groups progressing into single-elimination knockout rounds. All matches will be best-of-five to ensure competitive fairness throughout the bracket.
- Mid-Season Invitational: Returning to Korea with Daejeon as the host city. Eleven teams will compete, beginning with a Play-In Stage that advances one team into a double-elimination Bracket Stage. This format aims to provide emerging regions a clearer route while maintaining tough competition for top-seeded teams.
Riot Games stated the tournament format "is designed to give emerging regions a clearer path while ensuring top-seeded teams face rigorous competition."
These developments mark a significant step in maintaining integrity and broadening competitive opportunities in the League of Legends esports scene.
Author's summary: Riot Games outlines the 2026 League of Legends esports calendar, emphasizing competitive integrity with new formats and record global interest in the scene.