The tournament format has not yet been disclosed. However, unlike last year when matches were held over five days, the 2026 LoL tournament will span seven days. This could indicate either an increase in the number of participants or a shift to a more flexible schedule. In 2025, 12 teams participated in the tournament: eight started from the group stage, while four received direct slots in the playoffs.
At that time, all group stage matches were played in a Bo1 format, including the decisive ones. Some teams played several games a day—a rare practice for the professional League of Legends scene. The longer schedule in 2026 may affect the match format, but no official confirmations have been made yet.
It is expected that Gen.G Esports will receive a direct invitation, as they became the tournament champions in 2025 by defeating Anyone’s Legend with a score of 3:2 in the finals.
The Esports World Cup takes place in
