It’s only been a week since LoL First Stand concluded, but there’s more League of Legends to come as the Spring Split/Split 2 begins this week for every LoL Esports region.
With qualification for the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) on the line, competition is going to be fierce. Especially as MSI now has a brutal Play-In format.
And as well as awarding EWC spots to each champion, every region will also host additional EWC qualifiers.
Here is when every major LoL esports league starts and what you can expect from each tournament.
LEC Spring Split 2026
- Start date — March 28
- Playoffs start — May 23
- Playoffs final — June 7
- EWC qualifier — April 28 – May 17
The LEC Spring Split is suddenly looking more interesting after G2 Esports had a phenomenal run at First Stand, sweeping both LCK representatives 3-0.
G2 have the opening week off to rest after their international heroics, leaving Karmine Corp and Movistar KOI the chance to make an early claim as G2’s main title contenders this split.
Additionally, the LEC is the only league that is allowing tier-two teams to compete in Esports World Cup qualifiers, with the top two non-academy teams from EMEA Masters Winter qualifying for the event — those two participants will be decided by April 14.
LPL Split 2 2026
- Start date — April 4
- Playoffs start — TBD
- Playoffs final — TBD
- EWC qualifier — March 27 – May 22
The LPL has been gaining its largest audiences in years, and that may only get higher after Bilibili Gaming (BLG) won First Stand, the organisation’s first-ever international title.
The opening matches and Playoff dates haven’t yet been announced, but it should be a fascinating split with so much talent in the league.
Especially now that Top Esports has brought in two former world champions after jungler Yang ‘Naiyou’ Zijian was banned for life for match fixing.
LCK 2026 Road to MSI
- Start date — April 1
- Playoffs start — June 6
- Playoffs final — June 14
- EWC qualifier — May 5 – May 26
After the shock defeats to G2, LCK teams will be going back to the drawing board to figure out what went wrong.
Reigning LCK champions Gen.G have also automatically qualified for this year’s Esports World Cup after winning that tournament last year too.
After BNK FEARX (BFX) shockingly took second place in the previous split, all eyes will be on reigning world champions T1 and the T1 alumni of Hanwha Life Esports to see how they respond this split.
LCS Spring Split 2026
- Start date — April 4
- Playoffs start — May 23
- Playoffs final — June 14
- EWC qualifier — April 14 – April 29
Reigning LCS champions LYON had a decent showing at First Stand, though North American fans will wonder what could have been if the team had not made so many errors against JD Gaming.
Meanwhile, viewers will be keen to see how Cloud9 respond after losing the LCS Lock In finals despite being heavy favourites for the title.
CBLOL Split 1 2026
- Start date — March 28
- Playoffs start — May 9
- Playoffs final — June 6
- EWC qualifier — June 7 – June 14
Following on from the CBLOL Cup, Split 1 will begin a new era for the Brazilian league with more international slots opened up to the region.
Riot has offered CBLOL two slots at LoL Worlds this year and a direct seed into the Bracket Stage of MSI for the Split 1 champions.
LCP Split 2 2026
- Start date — April 4
- Playoffs start — May 23
- Playoffs final — June 7
- EWC qualifier — May 5 – May 20
Last year, the LCP was flying internationally with CTBC Flying Oyster punching well above their weight.
However, that roster was picked apart by onlooking teams, and now the league needs a reset.
There’s still a lot of talent in the LCP, but reigning champions Team Secret Whales didn’t get to show it after failing to pick up a single win in their First Stand games against G2 and BFX.
As well as the Split 2 winner, the team with the most Championship Points will also claim a spot at LoL MSI.
Which league’s return are you most excited for? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord.
And in other international LoL esports news, T1’s LoL Worlds 2025 skins may have been confirmed.
