Riot Games Unveils Format for 2026 LCS Season
Riot Games has announced the format for the 2026 League Championship Series (LCS) season, marking the return of the LCS branding to North American League of Legends after a year under the LTA name.
Season Start and Format Details
The 2026 season will kick off on January 24th with the LCS Lock-In event. The first split will feature a best-of-three Swiss stage, where the top five teams automatically qualify for the playoffs. Teams finishing sixth and seventh will compete in a tie-breaker for the final playoff spot.
Playoff Structure
- The top four teams enter the playoffs in the upper bracket.
- The top seed can choose their first opponent from the second to fourth seeds.
- The other two teams will start in the lower bracket.
“Split one will have 50% more games than 2025,” said LCS Commissioner Mark Zimmerman.
Spring 2026 Format
The LCS Spring 2026 split begins with a best-of-three round-robin group stage. This stage will decide the six teams that advance to the playoffs.
The Spring playoffs will follow the same structure as the Lock-In, with four teams in the upper bracket and two in the lower bracket.
The winning team from the Lock-In qualifies for First Strike, the first international tournament of the year.
This format aims to increase competitive play and maintain excitement throughout the season.
Author’s summary: Riot Games’ 2026 LCS season introduces a revamped format with more games, strategic playoffs, and a return to the LCS brand, enhancing competition and fan engagement.