The 2026 international League of Legends Esports season will feature a combination of familiar and new host cities. Riot Games has confirmed the full schedule and venues for next year’s global tournaments.
At the 2025 Worlds Press Conference on November 7, Chris Greeley, director of LoL Esports, announced that the first international event, First Stand, will be held in São Paulo, Brazil, from March 16 to 22, 2026. Five teams from each region will compete for the opening international title of Season 2026.
“Brazil has one of our most passionate player bases,” said Chris Greeley, noting that the team looks forward to seeing the city come alive for LoL again.
The last international League of Legends tournament hosted in Brazil took place in 2017. All matches in the event will follow a best-of-five format.
The Mid-Season Invitational will take place in Daejeon, South Korea’s fifth-largest city. Eleven regional teams will compete, with one team advancing from the Play-ins to the Bracket Stage. The tournament will continue using the double-elimination format, ensuring every match draws significant focus.
The 2026 World Championship will feature multiple host cities. Texas will stage the Play-ins, Swiss Stage, and Knockout Stage, while the Grand Finals are set for New York City.
Author’s summary: The 2026 League of Legends Esports season will span four global cities, showcasing the game’s international reach and revitalizing historic venues like São Paulo and New York.