In 2026, Riot Games is introducing the Americas Cup. This short tournament between North and South America will oppose the second and third-place teams of both regions at the beginning of March. It serves as a way to maintain cross-region competition after the end of the LTA. The four teams will compete over a Korean bootcamp funded by Riot Games.
The Americas Cup starts on March 4th, three days after the end of both regions’ playoffs. It runs over five consecutive days, until March 8th. Simultaneously, the first seed of both regions prepares for First Stand.
This tournament is a double-elimination bracket.
The schedule is as follows:
The upper bracket matches are Best of 3s, while every other one is a Best of 5.
Heads up: Daylight savings kick in on March 8th for North America.
All matches will be played at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. This same arena will also host First Stand 2026 two weeks later. The participating teams will be decided on March 1st, after the LCS and CBLoL Winter finals.
The LoL odds for this event will be discussed as soon as they are released.
The format of the Americas Cup 2026. Image Source: Riot Games
See also: LCS Lock-In Playoffs preview
This tournament is there to maintain the healthy competition that took place between North and South America in 2025. On top of it, Riot is also using this opportunity to help the teams improve.
After the Spring Split, the third-place LCS team and the second- and third-place CBLOL teams will be provided a fully funded, two-week bootcamp in Korea during MSI 2026. The winner of the Americas Cup will join them.
Note: If the Americas Cup winner already qualifies for the bootcamp or for MSI, the fourth-place team from their league will receive this reward instead.
Featured Image Source: Riot Games
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