The League of Legends esports 2026 season is set to begin in January, with major regional leagues across Asia, Europe, and the Americas rolling out their opening competitions over a three-week window. The early domestic calendar will feed directly into First Stand, Riot Games’ first international tournament of the year, scheduled to take place in São Paulo, Brazil, in mid-March.
As in previous years, Eastern regions are expected to open the competitive calendar, with China’s League of Legends Pro League (LPL) and Korea’s League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) starting play ahead of their Western counterparts. The staggered launch reflects both regional scheduling needs and Riot’s broader effort to align all leagues ahead of early international competition.
China’s LPL is targeting an early January 8 start for its first split, though final confirmation from league officials is still pending. The early kickoff is designed to accommodate the LPL’s large roster of teams and multi-split structure, which requires a longer competitive runway than other regions. As usual, early split performance will play a key role in determining international qualification later in the season.
LCK 2026 Season Opening Invitational scheduled for January 14
South Korea’s LCK will follow shortly after, with the LCK 2026 Season Opening Invitational scheduled for January 14. The opening event will feature all ten partnered teams and serve as a competitive warm-up before the main split begins. Notably, the LCK will introduce in-game coach communications into broadcasts during the opening phase, giving fans deeper insight into drafting decisions and on-stage strategy, a move that reflects Riot’s increasing focus on transparency and viewer engagement.
The League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) is also set to begin in mid-January, continuing its three-split seasonal structure. The league will retain its single round-robin Best-of-3 format, alongside its distinctive 2v2 side-selection mechanic for Game 1, which has been positioned as a way to increase strategic diversity and reduce predictable draft outcomes.
Western regions will begin competition shortly after Asia. Europe’s League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) will once again open its season with the LEC Versus tournament in January. The event will feature all ten partnered teams, alongside invited tier-two squads such as Los Ratones and Karmine Corp Blue. Designed as both a competitive entry point and a testing ground for new rosters, the Versus tournament will run for several weeks before transitioning into playoffs.
Brazil’s Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends (CBLOL) will begin the year with the CBLOL Cup, running through January and February, with the grand final scheduled for February 28. The tournament carries added significance this season, as its winner will qualify directly for First Stand. With Brazil hosting the international event, domestic interest and pressure are expected to be higher than usual.
Swiss format, NA LCS Planned Ahead for 2026 Season
North America’s League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) will start later than other major regions, with the LCS Lock-In tournament beginning on January 24. The Lock-In will introduce a Swiss-stage format, marking another structural change for the league as it continues to recalibrate its competitive identity. Riot Games is expected to confirm match schedules and broadcast details closer to launch.
All regions are expected to conclude their opening domestic competitions by early March, clearing the way for First Stand 2026 in São Paulo. The tournament will bring together top teams from each major region and serve as the first true test of international power rankings following the offseason. With multiple roster changes, retirements, and organisational rebrands across regions, the event is expected to set the tone for the rest of the competitive year.
With earlier start dates, broadcast innovations, and Brazil hosting the season’s first international event, LoL Esports 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most globally synchronised seasons in recent years. The January-to-March window will be decisive in establishing early narratives, regional hierarchies, and expectations heading into the rest of the competitive calendar.