Riot Games has made an exciting announcement regarding the future of its premier esports tournament, the League of Legends World Championship. During a press conference held prior to the 2025 Worlds Grand Final, Chris Greeley, the Global Head of League of Legends Esports, revealed the location and format details for the 2026 event. Notably, Greeley confirmed that the tournament’s Grand Final will take place in New York, marking a significant highlight for fans in the United States.
The press conference was focused on the upcoming showdown between KT Rolster and the reigning champions, T1, but updates on the future of the League of Legends esports landscape took center stage. Greeley announced that the Fearless Draft, a new feature introduced earlier in the 2025 season, will be a permanent part of the game moving forward into 2026.
Additionally, details about next year’s First Stand were shared, confirming that it will occur in São Paulo, Brazil. In an exciting twist, the format for the inaugural international tournament will adapt from featuring five teams in 2025 to eight teams competing for the title in 2026, allowing for a broader representation of talent across regions.
For the upcoming Worlds event, the Americas will return to their former format, sending champions from both the LCS and CBLOL, while the formidable LCK and LPL regions will each contribute two representatives. The tournament will be exclusively played in a best-of-five format, eliminating the Round Robin phase seen this season.
Riot also briefly touched on the Mid-Season Invitational, which is scheduled for Daejeon, South Korea, revealing that only one team will emerge from the play-in stage. The announcement of the 2026 Worlds taking place in just two cities marks a return to a more streamlined hosting process, reminiscent of 2013. Fans can look forward to an engaging and competitive atmosphere as the championship comes to life in Allen, Texas, with the crowning finale set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City.
With these exciting developments, the League of Legends community eagerly anticipates what 2026 will hold, promising a thrilling experience for players and fans alike.