Five Finals. One Destination. March 1st, a huge day for LoL Esports

São Paulo is calling, and the world is ready to answer. As the international stage beckons once more, nearly every regional league is set to crown its champion. With money and prestige on the line, the stakes could hardly be higher. March 1st is shaping up to be the most action-packed day of the 2026 Spring Split, as every major region — except China’s League of Legends Pro League (LPL) — concludes its playoffs and decides who will book their ticket to First Stand and Brazil.

The old kings are dead — long live the new rulers. After losing most of its championship-winning lineup, perennial LCP powerhouse fell in the early rounds of the playoffs, opening the door for a new contender to seize the throne.

Vietnam’s wasted no time stepping into that role. After dispatching both semifinal opponents, they secured their place in the grand final and now stand one series away from rewriting regional history. The question remains: can they keep the momentum going when it matters most?

Although the final will be played at Taipei’s LCP Arena, the storyline transcends location. For the first time in the league’s history, a team not named CFO will lift the trophy. Should TSW complete the job, it would also mark a landmark moment for Vietnam, breaking the long-standing dominance of Taiwanese representatives in the region.

One of the most dominant organizations of the past four years, are once again poised to assert their authority. After falling short in last year’s inaugural LCK Cup, they now have the opportunity to claim the title and reinforce their domestic supremacy.

In a twist few predicted, neither nor will stand in their way. T1 suffered a shocking reverse sweep at the hands of , while Hanwha Life endured a disastrous group stage exit under the tournament’s unique format. Instead, Gen.G will face an underdog challenger — either or DK — signaling a potential shift in the region’s hierarchy.

The 2026 LCK Cup also marks a historic first for the league, as its finals head outside Korea to the Kai Tak Arena in Kowloon, Hong Kong. With a 10,000-seat capacity and a compelling matchup on the cards, the stage is set for a spectacle.

Unlike most other regions, however, both finalists will qualify for First Stand. Thanks to the LCK’s sustained international dominance, Korea has secured two slots at the year’s first global event — meaning Gen.G’s ticket is already guaranteed.

Want an exclusive first look at the First Stand venue? The CBLOL has you covered. While Brazil may enter the international stage as an underdog, the region never goes down quietly.

With already eliminated, the spotlight now turns to a blockbuster final. — backed by one of the most passionate fanbases in the league — have secured their place in the grand final through the upper bracket. Despite midlane instability and a last-minute roster change, the squad is chasing its first domestic title in two years, hoping to lift the trophy inside the Riot Games Arena São Paulo.

Whatever the outcome, the CBLOL champion will head to First Stand with a unique edge: familiarity with the venue and the full force of the Brazilian crowd behind them. For those who fall short, the top runners-up will at least earn a consolation prize: a ticket to the inaugural Americas Cup, featuring the best non–First Stand qualified teams from the CBLOL and LCS.

At this point, is anyone even surprised? Once again, have reached the final — their tenth consecutive appearance. The European juggernauts remain the region’s benchmark, but this time, they won’t be playing on home soil.

With the event taking place in Badalona as part of Movistar KOI’s roadtrip, G2 step into hostile territory. Despite an undefeated playoff run so far, the pressure is real. Memories of the Winter 2025 Finals still linger, when — after advancing through the upper bracket — they were swiftly dismantled by Karmine Corp.

Europe, however, is not content with recent progress alone. Following a Worlds 2025 quarterfinal appearance, the region is chasing more than respectability — it wants to usher in a new era at First Stand.

Whoever emerges on top — or — will carry more than a trophy. With both organizations having taken domestic titles from G2 in 2025, this final represents more than another chapter in Europe’s long-standing rivalry. It is a chance to shift the balance of power once again, with the hopes of an entire region resting on their shoulders.

Last but not least, the newly returned LCS looks to right the wrongs of last year’s disastrous campaign. With out of the picture, the stage is set for new kings to rise — and are leading the charge.

Having dropped just a single Nexus since the start of the year, the historic North American organization appears poised to usher in a new era of dominance. Undefeated throughout the playoffs, Cloud9 head into the finals as overwhelming favorites, with momentum firmly on their side inside the Riot Games Arena Los Angeles. The question now is whether they can maintain that level when the pressure peaks.

Yet the road is far from uncontested. , , and are all eager to play spoiler. If Cloud9 hope to capture a title that has eluded them since Spring 2023, they will need to stay sharp until the very last fight. For those who fall short, the top runners-up will at least earn a consolation prize: a ticket to the inaugural Americas Cup, featuring the best non–First Stand qualified teams from the CBLOL and LCS.