| 2026 LCP season | |
|---|---|
| League | LCP |
| Sport | League of Legends |
| Duration |
|
| Teams | 8 |
| Split 1 | |
| Split 2 | |
| Split 3 | |
The 2026 LCP season is the upcoming second season of the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP), an Asia-Pacific esports league for the video game League of Legends by developer Riot Games and tournament organizer Carry International. It will comprise of eight teams participating in three splits, with each split qualifying teams to three international tournaments. The season will begin on 16 January
Starting in 2026, the LCP will utilize the championship points system in determining the final team to qualify for the League of Legends World Championship. [1]
Unlike the league's inaugural season where the first few playoff series were best-of-threes, all playoff matches in 2026 will be contested in best-of-five series. Side selection during the first game of each series will now be decided by a duos match as opposed to one-on-one solo matches from the previous season. [1]
Only one team change occurred heading into the 2026 season. Chiefs Esports Club of Australia, one of the guest teams that participated in the 2025 LCP season, was relegated after losing to Deep Cross Gaming of Taiwan from the Pacific Championship Series (PCS) in the finals of the league's promotion and relegation free-for-all bracket. [2] MGN Vikings Esports of Vietnam retained its spot in the league after beating Saigon Dino of the Vietnam Championship Series (VCS) in the regional merit match. [3]
Four guest teams will compete in the 2026 season – Deep Cross Gaming from Taiwan, Secret Whales and MGN Vikings Esports from Vietnam, and DetonatioN FocusMe from Japan. The two bottom-ranked teams at the conclusion of the third split will compete in a promotion and relegation tournament against the top teams from the Tier 2 leagues (currently consisting of the PCS, VCS, LJL and a "Wild Card" spot) based on their location.
Split 1 will feature all eight (8) teams competing in a single-round robin tournament where all matches will be played in best-of-threes, with the top six (6) teams qualifying for the playoffs. The playoffs will be a hybrid elimination bracket with best-of-five matches, with the winner of Split 1 qualifying to represent the league as its lone representative at the 2026 First Stand Tournament. [4]
Similar to Split 1, Split 2 will have the same eight (8) teams competing in a single-round robin tournament where all matches will be played in best-of-threes. The top six (6) teams qualifying for the playoffs, applying the same bracket format as Split 1. All playoff matches will be played in best-of-fives, with the split finalists qualifying for the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational. [4] Playoff seeding principles remain unclear.
The third split will follow a swiss stage format comprising of best-of-three matches in most series and best-of-five matches for qualification and elimination series. At the end of Split 3, three (3) teams will qualify for the 2026 League of Legends World Championship. [4] If an LCP team finishes as a finalist at the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational, a fourth slot will be unlocked for the league. With the introduction of championship points, the qualification mechanisms remain unclear.