The Esports World Cup continues this week with the League of Legends (EWC LoL) tournament drawing a lot of eyes.
EWC Week 2 will see lots of MOBA action with Dota 2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang taking place at the same time.
And the LoL tournament will take place just a few days after the LoL MSI finals and Hanwha Life Esports’ first international trophy.
Now, 16 teams will compete for crucial Club Championship points and a lion’s share of the $2 million prize pool.
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Who is Competing in LoL EWC 2026?
This year’s LoL tournament has been expanded, with online qualifiers held in every major region.
As a result, the 16 teams competing this year are:
- LCK
- Hanwha Life Esports – LCK 2026 Road to MSI Champions
- Gen.G – EWC LoL 2025 Champions
- T1 – EWC Korea Qualifier Champions
- Dplus Kia – EWC Korea Qualifier 3rd Place
- LPL
- Bilibili Gaming – LPL Split 2 Playoffs Champions
- AG.AL (Anyone’s Legend) – EWC China Qualifier Champions
- JD Gaming – EWC China Qualifier Runners-Up
- LEC
- G2 Esports – LEC Spring Playoffs Champions
- Karmine Corp – EWC EMEA Qualifier Runners-Up
- Movistar KOI – EWC EMEA Qualifier 3rd Place
- LCP
- Team Secret (TSW) – LCP Split 2 Playoffs Champions
- GAM Esports – EWC APAC Qualifier Runners-Up
- LCS
- LYON – LCS Spring Playoffs Champions
- Sentinels – EWC North America Qualifier Champions
- CBLOL
- FURIA – CBLOL Split 1 Playoffs Champions
- MIBR.LOS (LØS) – EWC South America Qualifier Champions
LoL EWC 2026 Format
The LoL tournament will start with a Group Stage played in a GSL format. There will be four groups of four, with two teams from each group advancing.
The Groups will be best-of-ones until a team faces either elimination or possible qualification for the Playoffs, which will then be best-of-three instead.
The opening matches for each group are:
- Group A: G2 vs FUR & AGAL vs DK
- Group B: TS vs SEN & GEN vs KC
- Group C: BLG vs MKOI & T1 vs GAM
- Group D: HLE vs MIBR.LOS & LYON vs JDG
The Playoffs will be a single-elimination bracket of best-of-threes ending before a best-of-five grand final to decide this year’s champion.
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Who Will Be EWC LoL Champion 2026?
Following on so shortly from MSI, the international tournament has given us a good glimpse of what to expect at EWC.
It goes without saying, MSI finalists HLE and BLG have to be the heavy favourites heading into EWC.
HLE stopped the First Stand Champions from a possible Golden Road after winning the tense final 3-2.
Meanwhile, T1’s surpirse early MSI exit after losing to G2 could motivate the reigning LoL World Champions to their first EWC title.
That big victory will make the LEC champions darkhorses, but G2 are hard to predict after they shockingly dropped coach Dylan Falco.
And similarly, the LCS have to be considered title threats after LYON’s incredible 3-0 win over G2 and strong showings against HLE.
Also, last year’s champions Gen.G can’t be written off despite the team’s struggles this year.
What are your predictions for the LoL EWC tournament? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord.
Meanwhile, MSI has had huge implications on LoL Worlds 2026. And for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
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