While elite teams compete at First Stand, EMEA Masters Winter 2026 is deciding the best two-tier teams in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region.
The League of Legends tournament has been blown open after shock defeats to G2 Nord eliminated Witchcraft, the spiritual successor to Los Ratones.
This year’s Winter event is even more important, as the top two teams will qualify for the Esports World Cup Qualifier and compete with LEC teams for a chance to play internationally at the lucrative EWC event in Saudi Arabia later this year.
As Academy teams can’t participate in the Esports World Cup, two of French Flair, Misa Esports, Eintracht Spandau, Gallions, Berlin International Gaming, Solary, and Unicorns of Love Sexy Edition will earn a spot in the qualifier tournament.
EMEA Masters Winter Playoffs Draw
Following the Champions Round, Misa Esports, Movistar KOI Fénix, Solary, and Verdant earned a bye into the second round of the Playoffs.
They will await the winners of the upcoming best-of-three series with the following draw:
- G2 Nord vs French Flair – Winner faces Misa Esports
- Eintracht Spandau vs Gallions – Winner faces Movistar KOI Fénix
- Berlin International Gaming vs Karmine Corp Blue – Winner faces Solary
- Team Heretics Academy vs Unicorns Of Love Sexy Edition – Winner faces Verdant
All four teams from both France’s LFL and Germany-based Prime League have qualified for the Playoffs
EMEA Masters Winter has a double elimination bracket, meaning teams will drop into the lower bracket after their first loss and will be eliminated from the event following a second defeat.
The playoffs, which begin March 23, will be best-of-threes until the semi-finals and final, which will be best-of-fives.
Following some upsets, the tournament is anyone’s to win. Who do you think will be crowned EMEA Masters Winter champions? Share your predictions on the Insider Gaming Discord.
It’s going to be an interesting season, Rekkles has announced he isn’t retiring from LoL despite Witchcraft’s elimination.
