International League of Legends Events in 2026
Riot Games has announced the venues for the 2026 League of Legends (LoL) international esports events, introducing a blend of established hosts and new locations.
First Stand in São Paulo
The 2026 season will kick off with First Stand in São Paulo, Brazil, running from March 16 to 22. This tournament will feature five teams from each region competing for the opening international title.
“Brazil has one of our most passionate player bases. We can’t wait to see the city come alive once again for LoL.” — Chris Greeley, director of LoL Esports
The last international LoL event in Brazil was held in 2017. Matches in First Stand will all be best-of-five.
Mid-Season Invitational in Daejeon
MSI will return to South Korea, this time hosted in Daejeon, the country's fifth-largest city. The tournament will include eleven teams from different regions.
Only one team will advance from the Play-ins to the Bracket Stage, which follows a double-elimination format to ensure every match receives adequate attention.
Worlds 2026 in Texas and New York City
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 be the venue for the Grand Finals.
Event Overview
- First Stand: São Paulo, Brazil (March 16–22)
- Mid-Season Invitational (MSI): Daejeon, South Korea
- Worlds 2026 Play-ins, Swiss, Knockout: Texas, USA
- Worlds 2026 Grand Finals: New York City, USA
This 2026 schedule highlights Riot Games’ commitment to global engagement and expanding LoL’s international presence.
Author's summary: Riot Games unveiled the 2026 League of Legends global events, featuring new hosting cities and a fresh international tournament structure to energize the esports community worldwide.