Summary:
- Riot Games announced that League of Legends Worlds 2026 will take place across Allen, Texas, and New York City.
- The early stages, including Play-Ins, Swiss, and Playoffs, will happen in Texas, while the Grand Final lands in NYC.
- This is the first Worlds event in North America since 2022 and the first time in three years that the tournament will be held across two cities.
Already wondering where the next location of Worlds 2026 will be? Riot Games has officially announced the locations for Worlds 2026. This time, the League of Legends World Championship will be held in two U.S. cities: Texas and New York. Notably, it’s the first time since 2022 that North America will host the biggest event in the LoL esports calendar.
A Return to North America
On media day before the Worlds 2025 Grand Final between T1 and KT Rolster, Riot Games confirmed its plans for the next season. According to the announcement, the Play-In, Swiss Stage, and Playoffs of Worlds 2026 will be held in Allen, Texas.
Meanwhile, New York City will host the Worlds 2026 Grand Final. This brings back memories of the iconic Worlds 2022 stage, when DRX were hailed as champions after defeating T1 in a close series.
Furthermore, this is a change from the usual three-city format used in past events. Chris Greeley, Global Head of LoL Esports, said Riot chose fewer cities to focus on bigger venues and a better experience for fans and teams. Ultimately, the goal is to make each stage of the tournament feel larger and more connected.
First Stand 2026 Heads to Brazil
Riot Games also shared new details about the First Stand 2026. It will be the first international tournament of the LoL esports season. The event will take place from March 16 to 22, 2026, in São Paulo, Brazil. This is the first time since 2017 that Brazil will host an international League event.
Moreover, this year, the tournament will feature eight teams instead of six. Every match will be a best-of-five. This promise intense games and fewer surprises. Greeley said the change is meant to give every team a fair shot and deliver top-level competition for fans.
MSI 2026 Returns to South Korea
The second major international tournament, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), will return to South Korea in 2026, this time in the city of Daejeon. It’s the first time since 2022 that Korea will host MSI.
At the moment, Riot has not confirmed the venue or exact dates, but fans can expect MSI 2026 to take place between late June and mid-July, similar to last year. Eleven teams from around the world will compete, with one team advancing from the Play-Ins to the double-elimination Bracket Stage. Additionally, Riot confirmed that the Fearless Draft system, known for its strategic depth, will return for all major international events next year.
Conclusion
With T1’s impressive victory in Chengdu, it marks the close of another exhilarating chapter in League of Legends history. By defeating KT Rolster, they’ve solidified their legacy and paved the way for an exciting year ahead for fans. The upcoming season promises a global journey, highlighted by the 2026 Worlds locations. After T1’s remarkable achievement of three consecutive championships, the question on everyone’s mind remains: who will rise next?
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