Jul 15, 2026.
Sixteen teams from six regions will compete at League of Legends at EWC 26, showcasing the pinnacle of competitive play and some of the greatest rivalries in esports. With glory and a share of the $2 million prize pool on the line, only one team will leave Paris as EWC winners.
All 16 teams will be seeded into four groups and compete in a double-elimination Group Stage. Opening matches and winners' matches will be best-of-one, while elimination and decider matches will be best-of-three.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs, where they will battle through a single-elimination bracket. All Playoff matches will be best-of-three, with the exception of the best-of-five Grand Final.
Group A features G2 Esports, FURIA, AG.AL, and Dplus KIA, making it one of the toughest groups of the tournament. G2 enters EWC 26 with momentum after an impressive run at MSI, highlighted by a statement victory over a superstar T1 club. The defeat marked the first time T1 had failed to reach the top four at an international event.
That momentum will be put to the test immediately. China's AG.AL and Korea's Dplus KIA both arrive as serious title contenders, while FURIA will be looking to spring an early upset in a group where every match could shape the race for the Playoffs.
Group B features Team Secret, Sentinels, Gen.G, and Karmine Corp. Despite missing out on MSI 2026, defending EWC winners Gen.G remain one of the tournament favorites. Their opening match pits them against hometown heroes Karmine Corp, setting the stage for one of the most anticipated Group Stage matchups as the Paris crowd is expected to rally behind the French organization.
While Gen.G and Karmine Corp are the favorites on paper, Team Secret and Sentinels have more than enough firepower to shake up the group. In a field this competitive, overlooking either team could prove costly.
Group C features T1, Bilibili Gaming, GAM Esports, and Movistar KOI, but the spotlight falls on the potential rematch between T1 and Bilibili Gaming.
Their rivalry has defined some of League of Legends' biggest international moments. T1 denied BLG the Summoner's Cup at Worlds 2024, claiming the title that every professional dreams of winning. More recently, however, BLG turned the tables with a convincing victory over T1 at MSI 2026, a result that ultimately sent the Korean giants home early.
If both teams win their opening matches, they will meet once again in the Group Stage winners' match, adding another chapter to one of League of Legends' fiercest rivalries.
Group D features Hanwha Life Esports, MIBR.LOS, LYON, and JD Gaming. Fresh off their MSI 2026 victory, Hanwha Life Esports enter EWC 26 as one of the favorites to lift the trophy.
However, LYON could be the team to watch. After stunning G2 with a dominant victory at MSI and pushing Hanwha Life Esports to five games in the Lower Bracket Final, LYON proved they can challenge the very best. If they can carry that form into Paris, Group D could produce one of the tournament's biggest surprises.
As EWC 26 enters Week 2, the Club Championship race is beginning to take shape. Several of last year's top-performing clubs have already climbed the standings, while League of Legends presents another major opportunity for organizations such as T1 and Gen.G to add valuable points to their totals.
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