Riot Games has announced drastic changes to the LEC structure for 2026. The winter split is becoming a thing of the past, making way for a new tournament — LEC Versus, which will kick off in January and will bring together the league's 10 main teams and two top teams from the regional leagues ecosystem (ERL) — the champion of the EMEA Masters 2025 Summer and the best team based on the season's results.

This innovative format will allow regional teams to showcase themselves on the main stage and compete in Berlin, at the Riot Games Arena. The regular season includes a single round-robin tournament in a best-of-one format, after which the top eight teams will advance to the playoffs with a double elimination bracket and bo3 and bo5 series.

Following the initial winter stage, the classic spring and summer splits will follow with 10 teams in a best-of-three format and a standard playoff system. There is a strong focus on unifying and enhancing interactions between ERL and LEC, opening new opportunities for young talents and increasing competition in the region.

LEC 2026 promises to be an eventful season with new tournaments, away matches, and fresh ambitions for teams, as well as the introduction of a unique international tournament, The First Stand.