Summary:
- Runs from January 16 to March 1, 2026, in Taipei, Taiwan, featuring 8 teams competing for a spot at the First Stand 2026.
- Features a Single Round-Robin Regular Season with best-of-three matches, followed by a Double Elimination Playoffs in Bo5.
- Among the competing teams are the defending champions CTBC Flying Oyster, Deep Cross Gaming, and Ground Zero Gaming.
The new year means a new competitive season for the League of Legends esports community. League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) officially returns on January 16, 2026, to bring competitive excitement in the APAC region. So, here’s everything you should anticipate in the upcoming LCP 2026 Split 1!
Tournament Format and Structure
A two-stage competition will take place during the LCP 2026 Split 1 from January 16, 2026 to March 1, 2026! The Regular Season features a Single Round-Robin format where all teams will face each other once in Bo3 matches. Each team will play a total of seven matches, and only those in top six advance to the Playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Playoffs will use a Double Elimination Bo5 bracket to give teams a chance even after losing their first match. Moreover, all playoff matches are played under Fearless Draft rules which prevent champions from being selected more than once in a series. This adds challenge to teams eyeing to enter the finals.
The winner of the LCP 2026 Split 1 will earn direct qualification to First Stand 2026. It serves as the league’s first international seeding event this 2026.
Competing Teams and Roster Changes
Fresh faces will grace the 2026 season due to the significant changes to the LCP lineup. The competition now features 3 partner teams and 5 guest teams following PSG Talon’s removal in November 2025. Returning partner teams include the defending champions, CTBC Flying Oyster, alongside GAM Esports and Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS.
The lineup easily made CTBC the early favorites in the tournament. However, their opponents are determined to dethrone them in the APAC region. Meanwhile, the five guest teams include the following:
- Deep Cross Gaming
- DetonatioN FocusMe
- Ground Zero Gaming
- MVK Esports (formerly Vikings Esports)
- Secret Whales
MVK Esports managed to secure their position through the 2026 Promotion Tournament. On the other hand, Deep Cross Gaming earns the spot after a victory against Chiefs Esports Club. Then, Ground Zero Gaming joined the league before the year 2025 ends.
Championship Points System and Stakes
Every match will be crucial in LCP 2026 Split 1 with the new Championship Points system. During the Regular Season, teams will receive +1 point for each game win and -1 for each loss. At the end of Split 2, these win/loss points are doubled to give bearing to their early performances.
Also, teams will receive Standing Points depending on their final Regular Season placement. It will range from 7 points for first place down to 2 points for sixth-placed team. Despite getting a negative win/loss total, they still retain their Standing Points.
For the Knockout Stage, teams will get a chance to earn bonus points. The first-placed team will earn 20 points, 15 for second-placed team, 10 for third-placed, and 5 for fourth-placed. The team holding the most Championship Points accumulated across all 3 splits will secure a Worlds qualification spot.
Promotion Series and Guest Team Competition
This year’s season adds pressure for guest teams as they bring back the LCP Promotion Series. Ground Zero Gaming and Deep Cross Gaming have to accumulate enough Championship Points and defend their league spots. However, any guest team that qualifies for Worlds will earn exemption from the Promotion Series.
How to Watch LCP 2026 Split 1
Fans have several options to catch the upcoming action in the LCP 2026 Split 1. They may opt to attend in person by purchasing tickets through KKTIX or at FamilyMart across Taiwan. The tournament will take place in the LCP Arena, Taipei, with the first match on January 7, 2026.
Each ticket will provide access to all matches scheduled that day, giving back your money’s worth. Or, they may opt to watch online in their preferred language broadcast across multiple platforms. They may tune in to League of Legends official platform channels including Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok.
Conclusion
All teams in LCP 2026 Split 1 are eyeing the chance to secure the spot in the First Stand 2026! Expect packed action across all matches from the champion team CTBC to new squads like Deep Cross Gaming. It’s an extremely competitive season with the new systems in place so show your support for your favorite teams!
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