Riot Games Announces 2026 League of Legends Esports Schedule
Riot Games revealed new details about the 2026 international esports calendar for League of Legends, alongside a new cinematic created with longtime partner Fortiche. The announcement covers host cities, tournament formats, and viewing milestones ahead of the upcoming competitive season.
Viewership Milestones
The publisher highlighted that the Worlds 2025 Play-Ins reached a record peak in viewership. The matchup between T1 and Invictus Gaming became the most-watched Play-Ins match in the event’s history. While exact figures were not disclosed, Riot described it as a sign of continued global interest in the esport.
2026 Major Events
Stand Tournament
The first major event in 2026 is the Stand Tournament, set to run from March 16 to 22 at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. This competition will include two double-elimination groups that lead into single-elimination knockout rounds. All matches will be played in a best-of-five format, which Riot states helps preserve competitive integrity throughout the bracket.
Mid-Season Invitational
The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) will return to Korea in 2026, specifically hosted in Daejeon. Eleven teams will participate, starting with a Play-In Stage that advances one team to the double-elimination Bracket Stage. Riot designed this format to provide emerging regions a clearer progression path while maintaining strong competition for top-seeded teams.
"The format is designed to give emerging regions a clearer path while ensuring top-seeded teams face rigorous competition."
Author’s summary: Riot Games has mapped out an exciting and competitive 2026 League of Legends esports season with optimized tournament formats and record global engagement.