LOL Esports 2026 season dates revealed

Riot Games has officially announced key dates and major updates for the 2026 League of Legends esports season, setting the stage for another year of global competition across multiple regions and international events.

With teams preparing for new roster eras and gameplay updates expected to shape the early-season meta, fans won’t have to wait long—regional leagues begin returning to the stage starting mid-January.

Image by Riot Games

Regional Leagues Begin in January

Several of the world’s top leagues will kick off their 2026 schedules this month, with the earliest competitions starting on January 14.

According to Riot’s LOL Esports 2026 season, the official calendar, the LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea) will open its season on January 14, with the LPL (China’s League of Legends Pro League) starting shortly after. The LEC (League of Legends European Championship) and CBLOL (Brazil) will also begin their seasons in mid-January. Meanwhile, North America’s league—formerly known as the LCS—will begin later in the month on January 24.

These early regional matches are expected to provide the first serious look at how teams adapt to offseason changes and the evolving in-game meta.

First Stand Returns as the First International Tournament

The first major international tournament of the year, First Stand, is scheduled for March 16–22 in São Paulo, Brazil. The event will be hosted at the Riot Games Arena—one of Brazil’s most iconic esports venues.

First Stand will feature eight teams total, representing the top regions in the global ecosystem:

• 2 teams from LCK

• 2 teams from LPL

• 1 team from LEC

• 1 team from North America (LCS)

• 1 team from CBLOL

• 1 team from LCP (Pacific)

Every match at First Stand will be played as a best-of-five series, creating a high-pressure format that rewards strategic adaptation rather than single-game surprises. Riot has also confirmed that results at First Stand will impact MSI seeding, including additional advantages for the best-performing region.

Worlds 2026 Returns to the United States

Riot also confirmed that the 2026 League of Legends World Championship will return to the United States, with several stages of the event being hosted in Texas. This includes the Play-In Stage through the later rounds, such as the Swiss Stage, Quarterfinals, and Semifinals, bringing major Worlds action back to North American fans.

Riot Introduces “First Selection” Rule Change

One of the most notable changes for 2026 is the introduction of a new competitive rule called “First Selection.” Riot stated that after studying side win-rate differences and receiving feedback from professional teams worldwide, the company decided to shift away from the traditional side selection system.

Instead of only choosing between blue side and red side, teams that earn the selection advantage will now choose one of two options:

1. Which side to play on (Blue or Red), or

2. Whether to draft first or second

The opposing team then receives the remaining option. Riot believes this system will improve competitive fairness by giving teams more control over strategy and preparation, rather than relying on built-in side advantages.

Hall of Legends and Financial Updates

In addition, Riot announced the Hall of Legends will return later in the year ahead of Worlds 2026, introducing a third inductee to celebrate players who shaped LoL esports history.

Riot also detailed a new financial adjustment beginning in 2026, including the removal of regional split prize pools in Global Revenue Pool regions, redirecting that money toward broader ecosystem development. Prize pools for international tournaments such as First Stand, MSI, and Worlds will continue to be supported through the GRP system.