The LEC is evolving in 2026! Fans can look forward to fresh updates, new format changes, and even more action throughout the upcoming season.
The League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) 2026 season is set to bring exciting format changes and fresh updates to the stage. At the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, the action is about to heat up as incredible talent takes over the Rift. Let’s dive into everything new coming to the LEC this season!
Goodbye, Winter split. Hello, LEC Versus!
The biggest LEC change is happening right at the beginning of the year. We will say goodbye to the Winter Split and welcome the LEC Versus. The winner of the tournament will claim the sole EMEA qualification spot for The First Stand 2026, taking place in Brazil!
In this brand-new tournament, 12 teams will compete in a single round-robin, best-of-one (Bo1) stage, where every team faces each other once. The top eight teams will advance to the Playoffs, featuring a double-elimination bracket. Rounds 1 and 2 will be played as best-of-threes (Bo3), while all subsequent matches will be best-of-fives (Bo5).
LEC Versus will bring together ERL standouts and LEC pros in an exclusive clash of talent, setting the stage for one of the most exciting competitions yet.
“These aren’t LEC spots, but special invitations earned through competitive excellence within the ERL ecosystem,” the official LEC press release stated.
Among the first to receive an invitation is Los Ratones, the fan-favorite team founded by Twitch streamer Marc Robert “Caedrel” Lamont. After an incredible run, including back-to-back EMEA Masters titles, three consecutive NLC championships, and a Top 4 finish in the Summer Split, Los Ratones have cemented themselves as one of the most dominant forces in the ERLs throughout 2025, showcasing unmatched consistency all season long.
The second invitation goes to the 2025 EMEA Masters Summer Champions. The Grand Finals will be happening on Nov. 2 between Karmine Corp Blue and Los Heretics. If an LEC Secondary Team wins, they will still be eligible to compete in LEC Versus. Measures will be put into place to ensure that competition integrity is preserved.
LEC Spring and Summer Splits 2026
In 2026, the LEC Spring and Summer Splits will once again spotlight ten partner teams. Fans can look forward to the highest level of competition and massive storylines. Everything is on the line with MSI and Worlds qualification up for grabs.
Each Split will feature a single round robin of Bo3, leading directly into Bo5 Playoffs. There won't be Bo1 or Bo2. This multi-game format guarantees more action for all 10 LEC teams while ensuring a deeper test of skill and adaptability.
If you enjoyed the LEC Roadtrips, prepare yourself because they will come back to new cities! More information will be released soon. The same goes for the LEC Versus ticket sales. Once available, tickets will be sold through the EMEA tickets page.
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