League of Legends International Events in 2026
Riot Games has announced the venues for the 2026 international League of Legends (LoL) Esports events, featuring a blend of returning hosts and new locations.
Event Locations and Schedule
- First Stand: Scheduled for 16–22 March 2026 in São Paulo, Brazil. This event will feature five teams from each region competing in best-of-five matches for the opening international title of the season.
- Mid-Season Invitational (MSI): Set in Daejeon, South Korea, the country's fifth-largest city. MSI will include 11 teams from various regions. The Play-ins stage will qualify one team to the Bracket Stage, which will follow a double-elimination format.
- Worlds 2026: Will take place across two major locations in the United States. Texas will host the Play-ins, Swiss Stage, and Knockout Stage, while New York City will host the Grand Finals.
Comments from LoL Esports Director
“Brazil has one of our most passionate player bases,” said Chris Greeley, director of LoL Esports. “We can't wait to see the city come alive once again for LoL.”
The last international League of Legends event in Brazil was held in 2017, marking a notable return with First Stand in São Paulo.
Regarding MSI, Greeley noted the importance of the double-elimination format in the Bracket Stage to “ensure every match will have enough attention.”
Summary
In 2026, League of Legends international competitions will bring fresh excitement with new host cities in Brazil and South Korea alongside major US venues, emphasizing competitive formats that enrich the spectator experience.
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