The
Nova Series are back for 2026. First announced in March, the tournament series organized by
ZQSD Productions in collaboration with
Riot Games France will once again run from November 7 to December 5. With the same format and a €10,000 prize pool, the event will bring together teams from across Europe to close out the 2026 women’s
League of Legends circuit.
The event was
initially supposed to be integrated into the 2026 LoL Game Changers circuit, but apparent delays prevented this from happening. One other notable change this year is the absence of an offline final.
Sheep Esports reached out for comment on the matter but did not received a response by the time of publication, with the organization stating that it
“needed more time to prepare its answers.”Keeping the Same Structure
Overall, aside from a few small additions, most of the Nova Series will remain unchanged: two qualifiers spread over two weekends, followed by a top-four playoffs phase featuring best-of-three semifinals and a best-of-five final.
The full schedule for the 2026 edition is as follows:
- Qualifier 1 — November 7–8: The first day will feature a Swiss round, followed by the semifinals and best-of-three final on day two.
- Qualifier 2 — November 14–15: The second qualifier will follow the same format, with a Swiss round on day one and the semifinals and best-of-three final on day two.
- Semifinals — November 21: The top four teams will compete in the online semifinals, played as best-of-three series.
- Grand Final — December 5: The tournament will conclude with an online best-of-five final, with the broadcast cast based in Montpellier.
As before, the qualifiers will not be broadcast, though teams will be able to organize their own broadcasts. For the playoffs, ZQSD has assembled a star-studded cast featuring
Jean "Trayton" Medzadourian,
Tamara "Peaxy" Murcia, and
. Team Mandatory will also join the event as a media support partner, though the extent of its involvement remains unclear for now.
In its official announcement, the organization stated that the 2026 edition would aim to “continue its mission to build a sustainable women’s competitive scene in a demanding, rewarding, and safe environment.” Created in response to the difficulties mixed-gender competition has faced in gaining traction despite League of Legends having an official circuit open to everyone, the Nova Series seeks to provide a stable environment where female talent can emerge, establish themselves, and build lasting careers.
Will Last Year Repeat Itself?
Despite the Nova Series' return, the LoL Game Changers circuit is still underway, with the final four teams competing for the title of grand champion. Set to conclude on October 27, the event will be followed by the Nova Series, giving teams another opportunity to claim a major title and compete for a prize pool larger than that of the main circuit.
Last year, G2 Hel came out on top, securing a 3-0 victory over SK Avarosa. In 2026, both teams remain among the top contenders, though neither has been particularly dominant. Vitality Rising Bees and Mental Rush have also emerged as serious challengers, making the competitive landscape relatively open heading into the two tournaments.
However, questions remain over why the Nova Series was announced so late and why its format has not evolved. Tournament organizers appear aware of these concerns. Speaking with people close to the event, Sheep Esports understands that the Nova Series aims to establish itself as a long-term fixture, much like Game Changers, which is
still working to find its footing. While the continued presence of both tournaments is welcome, many will be hoping to see further developments in 2027.
