LEC announces major format overhaul for 2026 season

This tournament replaces the Winter Split and features all 10 LEC partner teams plus two invited squads from the EMEA Regional Leagues (ERLs).

LEC Versus will run as a single round-robin with best-of-one matches, advancing the top eight to a double-elimination playoff bracket. Early playoff rounds will be best-of-three, with best-of-five for later stages. The winner will secure an EMEA slot at the First Stand international event, but no permanent LEC spots will be awarded.

The two invited ERL teams will be chosen based on competitive excellence: one spot goes to the 2025 EMEA Masters Summer Champion, while the second is awarded to a team with standout performance across the 2025 season. Riot Games has set roster rules requiring at least three of five original European Masters players to remain, with exceptions allowed at the league's discretion. Invited teams will receive a participation stipend rather than joining the LEC's revenue-sharing model.

Spring and Summer Splits in 2026 will follow an aligned structure: a single round-robin of 10 partnered franchise teams in best-of-three matches, with top-six playoffs in best-of-five format. Qualification for international events remains unchanged, with two teams advancing to MSI from Spring and at least three teams to Worlds from Summer.

Riot Games says the changes aim to deliver consistent formats, predictable schedules, and more competitive opportunities for fans, while introducing new storylines through LEC Versus and ERL participation.