The KeSPA Cup is returning earlier than usual in 2026. Traditionally held at the end of the year, the KeSPA announced on June 30 that this year's edition will run from July 20 to August 18 and will once again be broadcast exclusively on Disney+, just like the previous tournament.
The competition will feature all ten
League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) teams, with the top three sharing a ₩50,000,000 prize pool, worth just over $32,000. The Group Stage will run from July 20 to 27 in a single round-robin best-of-one format, with only two teams being eliminated.
The remaining eight teams will advance to the Qualifiers, played in best-of-three series, where four teams will secure a place in the Knockout Stage. The latter will be played in best-of-five series, with its final three matches taking place offline at the Daejeon Convention Center II, the same venue currently hosting the Mid-Season Invitational.
The
KeSPA Cup is an annual tournament that has been held in South Korea since 2015, traditionally taking place at the end of the year as preparation for the upcoming season. It primarily serves as a warm-up event, giving teams valuable stage practice ahead of the start of the LCK. With its move to the summer calendar, however, the tournament could take on a very different feel.
The KeSPA is also continuing its partnership with Disney+, embracing a relatively new broadcasting model for esports, a scene that remains overwhelmingly free to watch across traditional streaming platforms. The tournament will also support the charity “
Save the Children”, with the KeSPA making a donation as part of the event. Fans watching the competition will likewise have the opportunity to contribute to the charitable initiative.
