Worlds 2026
The 2026 World Championship runs October 15 to November 14 across Los Angeles, Allen and Brooklyn. Follow the Play-Ins, Swiss Stage and Knockouts here.
Worlds is on Patch 26.20
The Worlds patch is live. Riot adjusted pro staples including Ambessa, Ashe and K'Sante, while giving Kindred, Lillia and other fringe picks a chance to appear. Read the 26.20 notes or check the Emerald+ tier list for the solo queue side of the story.
Format and draws
Four teams play a best-of-five double-elimination Play-In bracket for one Swiss place. The Swiss Stage starts with 16 teams. Three match wins put a team into Knockouts; three losses send them home. The Play-In draw is October 10, the first Swiss draw is October 18, and the quarterfinal draw is October 31. Riot's Worlds primer has the official draw rules and live updates.
Watch from Australia
Play-In broadcasts start at 4 AM Brisbane time on October 16-19. Most Swiss broadcasts start at 3 AM Brisbane time on October 24-27 and November 1; the October 29-31 sessions start at 6 AM. Quarterfinals and semifinals start at 8 AM Brisbane time on November 4-9. The Brooklyn final starts at 5 AM Brisbane time on November 15. The schedule below shows each broadcast start in your device's timezone too.
Pick'Ems and teams
Crystal Ball and Play-In predictions open October 10 at 4 PM PDT, which is 9 AM October 11 in Brisbane. Play-In picks lock before the first match on October 15. Gen.G, T1, Hanwha Life Esports, Bilibili Gaming, G2, Cloud9, Team Secret Whales and more are in the field. Brazil's seed order is settled after the October 10 CBLOL final. Make your picks on LoL Esports.
Worlds 2026 Schedule
Stage dates are US venue dates. Broadcast starts below also show your device's local time.
Play-In draw
The four-team bracket is drawn after the CBLOL final. Matchups are not confirmed before this draw.
Play-In Stage
Four teams play best-of-five double elimination in Los Angeles for one Swiss Stage place.
Swiss Stage, first block
Sixteen teams begin Swiss in Allen, Texas. Three wins advance; three losses eliminate.
Swiss Stage, second block
Swiss continues in Allen with a later daily broadcast start.
Swiss Stage, final day
The last Swiss matches decide the Knockout field.
Quarterfinals
Eight teams play best-of-five elimination series in Allen.
Semifinals
The final four play best-of-five series in Allen.
Grand Final
The last two teams meet at Barclays Center in Brooklyn at 2 PM EST (5 AM Nov 15 in Brisbane).