Worlds 2026 introduces four-team double-elimination Play-In stage

Worlds 2026 introduces four-team double-elimination Play-In stage

The 2026 League of Legends World Championship will feature a significantly redesigned Play-In stage, with four teams competing for a single place in the Main Stage.

For the first time, neither the LCK nor LPL will participate in the Play-In.

Instead, the final Worlds berth will be contested by teams from the LEC, LCS, LCP and CBLOL.

Four teams fight for one Worlds spot

The Play-In stage will feature:

• LCS third seed

• LEC third seed

• CBLOL second seed

• LCP third seed

All series will be played as best-of-five matches in a double-elimination bracket.

Only the winner will advance to the Worlds 2026 Main Stage.

The format marks another major change after the 2025 Play-In consisted of a single best-of-five between the LCK and LPL fourth seeds.

MVK Esports already confirmed

MVK Esports are currently the only team confirmed for the Play-In.

The Vietnamese organization secured the LCP's third Worlds position after its postseason run, which included a 3:2 victory over GAM Esports .

MVK later lost 1:3 to CTBC Flying Oyster in their attempt to earn direct qualification to the Main Stage, leaving them with the LCP Play-In berth.

The remaining representatives will be determined through each region's domestic postseason.

Europe will determine its third seed during the LEC Finals Weekend in Nice , while the LCS and CBLOL representatives will be decided later in their respective playoffs.

Worlds 2026 will therefore begin with four regions battling for one final ticket into the tournament's main phase.