The competitive world of League of Legends continues to evolve with exciting announcements about major events in 2026. Riot Games has revealed that fans can look forward to thrilling tournaments across multiple cities, promising an unforgettable year for esports enthusiasts.
Riot Games has announced that the League of Legends World Championship 2026 will take place across Texas and New York City.
LoL Worlds 2026 Location
During the media day prior to the Worlds 2025 Grand Final showdown between T1 and KT Rolster, Riot Games disclosed that Allen, Texas, will host the Play-In, Swiss stage, and the Playoffs. The excitement will culminate with the Grand Final in New York City, New York. While specific venues for each stage remain under wraps, the tournament’s return to North America marks the first time in three years it’s been hosted across two cities since the pandemic. In 2023, South Korea’s Busan and Seoul had the honor of hosting the event.
First Stand 2026 Heads To Brazil
Alongside the Worlds announcement, Riot Games also shared insights about the second edition of First Stand, the opening international tournament of the 2026 season. Scheduled from March 16th to 22nd, First Stand 2026 will be held in São Paulo, Brazil. This year, the tournament will see an increase in participating teams from six to eight, with all matches played in a best-of-five format. São Paulo is no newcomer to League of Legends events, having hosted the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) in 2017, which was clinched by SK Telecom T1.
Mid-Season Invitational 2026 Returns To Korea
The MSI will make a comeback to South Korea, a country synonymous with esports prestige, for the first time since 2022. The city of Daejeon will welcome the second international event of the year, although the exact venue has yet to be announced. While the date for MSI 2026 is still under wraps, last year’s edition took place in late June and early July, setting a potential timeline for fans to anticipate.