For the second consecutive year, Riot Games’ international circuit will feature three competitions:
First Stand in São Paulo, Brazil (March 16–22), the
Mid-Season Invitational in Daejeon, South Korea (June 28–July 12), and
Worlds across Los Angeles, California; Allen, Texas; and Brooklyn, New York (October 15–November 14).
The dates for this year are nearly identical to last year. In 2025, First Stand in Korea took place from March 10 to 16, the Mid-Season Invitational in Canada ran from June 27 to July 12, and Worlds in China was held from October 14 to November 9.
Full First Stand, MSI, and Worlds Dates Detailed
Full First Stand (FST) 2026 Dates and Schedule from March 16 to March 22
- Group Stage: March 16–20
- Playoffs: March 21–22
Full Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2026 Dates and Schedule from June 28 to July 12
- Play-In Stage: June 28–July 1
- Bracket Stage: July 3–6 and July 8–12
- Upper Final: July 9
- Lower Final: July 11
- Grand Final: July 12
Full LoL World Championship 2026 Dates and Schedule from October 15 to November 14
- Play-In Stage: October 15–18 (Riot Games Arena, Los Angeles)
- Swiss Stage: October 23–26 and October 28–31 (Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, Texas)
- Knockout Stage: November 3–8 (Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, Texas)
- Quarterfinals: November 3–6
- Semifinals: November 7–8
- Final: November 14 (Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York)
More International Events!
Other international events will also take place this year. For example, the
Asian Games are expected in September, which is why the LCK adjusted its end-of-year schedule. Another event is the
Americas Cup, a tournament in São Paulo just before First Stand, featuring the LCS and CBLOL second- and third-seeded teams in a five-day competition. It adds a semi-international flavor, preserving some of the spirit of the LTA, which offered cross-conference matchups.
This is the second
League of Legends competition ever to be held in Brazil, the first being MSI 2017, won by T1 over G2 Esports in the final. MSI returns to South Korea for the first time since 2022, when the now-defunct Royal Never Give Up defeated T1 in the final.
Most importantly, beyond Riot’s typical event schedule, this year will also see the return of Saudi Arabia’s
Esports World Cup, taking place from July 15 to 19, shortly after MSI, as well as the inaugural
Esports Nations Cup, scheduled after Worlds from November 21 to 29. This new event will focus on national pride and national rosters rather than franchised organizations, with countries instead sending their own delegations.
What are First Stand, MSI, and Worlds?
In the competitive League of Legends calendar, three international events define the global hierarchy: First Stand, MSI, and Worlds.
First Stand is the newest addition, designed as an early-season international tournament where top teams from each region clash shortly after their domestic splits begin, offering a first glimpse at global power rankings.
The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) takes place midway through the year and features the best-performing teams from each region’s spring split, often serving as a benchmark for regional strength heading into the second half of the season.
Finally, the World Championship (Worlds) is the pinnacle of League of Legends esports, held at the end of the year and bringing together the top teams from every major region to compete for the ultimate title.
Beyond their place in the calendar, these events carry immense prestige and are among the most-watched moments in esports. High level of play, clash of regional identities, storylines, and rivalries are what you can expect when tuning in. From breakout performances to legacy-defining runs, these tournaments shape how teams and players are remembered, making them must-watch events for anyone following the global League of Legends scene.
