The LCS is making its return in 2026 following a year when the region was merged into the LTA. This season will feature eight teams, with numerous roster changes and the addition of a new organization,
Sentinels, who replace 100 Thieves,
which has exited League of Legends. The seven other teams competing are
Team Liquid, Dignitas,
Disguised,
Cloud9, FlyQuest, LYON, and Shopify Rebellion.
In previous years, several teams dominated the top of the standings—FLY, 100T, and TL—thanks to rosters that were often superior on paper. In 2026, some teams appear to have weakened somewhat.
FlyQuest lost Gabriël "
Bwipo" Rau, Inspired, and Alan "
Busio" Cwalina, while Team Liquid changed their topside and now face several questions, mainly whether Brandon Joel "
Josedeodo" Villegas can be the jungler TL has been desperately searching for.
On a more optimistic note, some teams made major moves during the last offseason. Yoo "
Zinie" Baek-jin, a rising star in the Korean midlane scene, joined
Shopify Rebellion.
LYON significantly strengthened their roster with the arrival of the jungle MVP of the year, Inspired, as well as the return of Kim "
Berserker" Min-cheol to the LCS after a year in the LCK.
