Riot Games has announced it is adjusting the EMEA Masters summer 2026 format so that all of its teams can compete.
These adjustments are to accommodate the newly announced World Star Challengers Invitational, a world championship of sorts for Tier 2 League of Legends teams.
Fans raised concerns when they realised EMEA Masters (September 21-October 23) would clash with WSCI (September 20-October 2).
Now, Riot has adjusted the EMEA Masters Summer format to make sure that the region’s WSCI teams can still compete.
WSCI EMEA Qualifier and EMEA Masters Update
The three EMEA teams that eventually compete internationally at the WSCI will automatically qualify for EMEA Masters Summer.
Following the 32-team Swiss Stage, there will be a separate Knockout Stage that has been newly added.
Now, only 13 teams will proceed directly to the Playoffs from the Swiss Stage.
And instead, the 14th, 15th, and 16th-placed teams from the Swiss Stage will face one of the WSCI participants in the Knockout Stage in a best-of-three to determine who makes it into the Playoffs.
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Two of the three EMEA teams travelling to WSCI have already been confirmed in EMEA Masters’ 2026 champions Solary (Winter) and Galions (Spring), who are both from the LFL.
The third and final slot will go to the winner of a newly announced qualifier tournament.
The WSCI EMEA qualifier will take place September 13-14 with the winner of the DACH region’s Prime League progressing automatically to the final.
To decide the Prime League’s opponent, there will be a best-of-five between the winner of Turkey’s TCL and Spain’s LES.
This means one of MKOI Fénix or Team Heretics Academy from Spain, Bushido Wildcats or PCIFIC Esports from Turkey, G2 Nord of Berlin International Gaming of Germany will earn the last WSCI spot.
What do you think of the team selection for the qualifier and this change to the format? Share your thoughts with us on the Insider Gaming Discord.
Meanwhile, legendary Japanese toplaner Evi has announced his retirement from LoL esports. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
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