The LoL esports 2026 season is shaping up to be the most transformative year in competitive League of Legends history. Riot Games has dropped a series of bombshell announcements that will fundamentally change how the game is played at the professional level.
From a revolutionary new draft system called “First Choice” that gives teams unprecedented strategic control, to blockbuster roster moves like Hanwha Life Esports assembling what many are calling a “superteam” with Zeus, Zeka, Kanavi, and Gumayusi—the 2026 season hasn’t even started and the stakes are already sky-high.
Oh, and the international tournament schedule? MSI 2026 heads to Daejeon, South Korea for the first time ever, while the World Championship returns to North America with finals in New York City.
Here’s every major announcement from the LoL esports 2026 season you need to know.
Breaking: “First Choice” System Revolutionizes Draft
The most significant competitive change in LoL esports 2026 is the introduction of the “First Choice” system, replacing the traditional side selection priority that has existed for over a decade.
🎯 How First Choice Works
Teams that earn selection priority no longer automatically choose which side they play on. Instead, they must pick one strategic advantage:
- Map side (blue or red), OR
- Draft priority (first pick or second pick)
The opposing team then receives the remaining option.
🎙️ Pro Reaction
T1 Head Coach “Tom” Lee Jae-won:
“This changes everything about draft preparation. Teams that understand the mind games behind First Choice will dominate best-of-fives. It’s chess now, not checkers.”
LCK analyst Atlus:
“Gen.G and T1 will thrive here—they have the deepest champion pools. Teams with shallow drafts will get exposed immediately.”
First Choice launches across all regions at the start of the 2026 season.
Blockbuster Roster Moves: The HLE Superteam
The LoL esports 2026 offseason delivered the most shocking roster construction in LCK history. Hanwha Life Esports has assembled what analysts are calling a “dream team.”
🔥 HLE 2026 Roster Confirmed
| Position | Player | Previous Team | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Zeus | HLE (re-signed) | 2x World Champion, LCK Cup 2025 winner |
| Jungle | Kanavi | JDG (LPL) | LPL Champion, Worlds Finalist |
| Mid | Zeka | HLE (re-signed) | 4th year with HLE, World Champion 2022 |
| Bot | Gumayusi | T1 | 3x World Champion, Worlds 2025 Finals MVP |
| Support | Delight | HLE (re-signed) | LCK Finals appearances |
🎙️ Player Reactions
Gumayusi (via social media):
“New start, same goal. Worlds trophy stays in LCK.”
Zeus (HLE announcement):
“Running it back with Zeka, now with Kanavi and Guma? This roster is special. We’re not just competing—we’re dominating.”
Full 2026 Rosters by Region
LCK 2026 Rosters
| Team | Top | Jungle | Mid | Bot | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Doran | Oner | Faker | Peyz | Keria |
| Gen.G | Kiin | Canyon | Chovy | Ruler | Duro |
| Hanwha Life | Zeus | Kanavi | Zeka | Gumayusi | Delight |
| Dplus KIA | Siwoo | Lucid | ShowMaker | Smash | Career |
| KT Rolster | PerfecT | Cuzz | Bdd | Aiming | Ghost |
LEC 2026 Rosters
| Team | Top | Jungle | Mid | Bot | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G2 Esports | BrokenBlade | SkewMond | Caps | Hans Sama | Labrov |
| Fnatic | Empyros | Razork | Vladi | Upset | Lospa |
| Karmine Corp | Canna | Yike | kyeahoo | Caliste | Busio |
| Team Vitality | Naak Nako | Lyncas | Humanoid | Carzzy | Fleshy |
LCS 2026 Rosters
| Team | Top | Jungle | Mid | Bot | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentinels | Impact | HamBak | DARKWINGS | Rahel | Huhi |
| Cloud9 | Thanatos | Blaber | APA | Zven | Vulcan |
| FlyQuest | Gakgos | Gryffinn | Quad | Massu | Cryogen |
| Team Liquid | Morgan | Josedeodo | Quid | Yeon | CoreJJ |
2026 International Tournament Schedule
Riot has unveiled the full LoL esports 2026 international event calendar.
🌎 First Stand 2026 – São Paulo, Brazil
- Dates: March 16–22, 2026
- Venue: Riot Games Arena (CBLOL headquarters)
- Teams: 8 (LCK 2, LPL 2, LEC 1, LCS 1, CBLOL 1, LCP 1)
- Format: All matches Best-of-5, Fearless Draft
- Tickets: On sale January 21, 2026
🏆 MSI 2026 – Daejeon, South Korea
- Location: Daejeon, South Korea
- Significance: First-ever international event in Daejeon
- Venue details: To be announced
🏅 World Championship 2026 – North America
Play-Ins to Semifinals: Allen, Texas
- Venue: Credit Union of Texas Event Center
Worlds Final: New York City
- Location: New York City (venue TBA)
- Significance: Celebrating League’s legacy and global community
