Format Explainer | MSI 2026

MSI 2026 Overview

MSI 2026 will be held in Daejeon, South Korea, featuring 11 top teams competing for the championship. The tournament uses an exclusively best-of-five format with Fearless Draft in every match.

Tournament Structure

The event is split into two stages:

• Play-In Stage
• Bracket Stage

Bracket Stage Automatic Qualifiers

The following teams qualify directly for the Bracket Stage:

• The top team from each region:
  • LCK
  • LPL
  • LEC
  • LCP
  • LCS
  • CBLOL
• Plus LPL’s second seed, due to BLG winning First Stand in March.

Play-In Stage Participants

The Play-In Stage includes:

• The second seeds from:
  • LCK
  • LEC
  • LCP
  • LCS

These teams play a best-of-five double-elimination bracket, with seeding based on each region’s performance at First Stand. The Play-In determines one final team, who joins the Bracket Stage to claim the 8th spot in the main event.

Bracket Stage Format

The 8 qualified teams enter another best-of-five double-elimination bracket with the following rules:

• Matchups are determined by a draw show.
• Teams are arranged into four tiers:
  • Tier 1 vs Tier 4
  • Tier 2 vs Tier 3
• Teams from the same region cannot be drawn on the same side of the bracket.

Rewards and Significance

• The MSI 2026 winner earns an automatic spot at Worlds 2026, potentially increasing its region’s slot count.
• The second-best performing region also earns an additional Worlds slot.

Schedule and Viewing

• MSI 2026 runs June 28 through July 12.
• Coverage is available on lolesports.com, including:
  • Pick’ems
  • Crystal Ball predictions
  • Watch rewards

Presenters / Contributors

• No presenters or specific contributors are listed in the provided subtitles.