The 2026 competitive season starts soon. 14 teams will face off in the LPL Split 1 starting on January 14th, but which of these teams has the best odds and which should bettors focus on?
The teams are fighting over China’s two spots at First Stand 2026, as well as Championship Points and a facilitated Split 2. While two teams will qualify for First Stand, only one can emerge victorious in the grand final.
| Event | 2026 LPL Split 1 |
|---|---|
| Start date | January 14, 2026 |
| End date | TBA (early March 2026) |
| Reward | Qualification for First Stand 2026 (two spots) Prize money to be announced 80 Championship Points A spot in Group Ascend in Split 2 |
| Teams | 14 |
| Venues | Shanghai League Arena Yangcheng International Esports Center Xi’an Quijang Esports Center Shenzhen Home Arena JD Gaming Intel Esports Center (Beijing) |
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bilibili Gaming | 2.75 |
| Anyone’s Legend | 4.5 |
| JD Gaming | 5 |
| Weibo Gaming | 7 |
| Invictus Gaming | 11 |
| Top Esports | 15 |
| Edward Gaming | 21 |
| Team WE | 24 |
| LNG Esports | 26 |
| Ninjas in Pyjamas | 31 |
| LGD Gaming | 41 |
| ThunderTalk Gaming | 67 |
| Ultra Prime | 81 |
| Oh My God | 101 |
Odds as of January 5 on GG.BET.
The 2026 LPL Split 1 will start on January 14, 2026 at 4 am EST / 10 am CET.
While the two teams that reach the finals get a ticket to First Stand, those who perform well will get Championship Points based on their placements. These points will help them qualify for Worlds at the end of the 2026 season.
As the available League of Legends odds suggest, there’s a good chance that three teams in particular will be contesting victory in the LPL Split 1 this year.
Bilibili Gaming was the spearhead of the LPL during Split 3 of 2025. Although the team crumbled at Worlds, they had clearly found their form regionally. More importantly though, BLG upgraded their roster in the offseason, while their rivals suffered downgrades. With their new jungler, ADC, and coach, BLG are our favorites to win the LPL Split 1.
Anyone’s Legend spent all of 2025 being top 1, 2, or 3 in the LPL. AL also had great performances at MSI and the EWC, before being one of the best teams at Worlds 2025. The team was excellent at Worlds, only losing to T1 in the quarterfinals.
At the end of last year, Anyone’s Legend was the clear best team in the LPL. However, they head into 2026 with a new coaching staff that should be a downgrade.
JD Gaming heads into 2026 with a brand new roster. Picking up JunJia, HongQ, GALA, Vampire, and coach Tabe, JDG pushes Top Esports out of the top 3 for the new year. JDG started 2026 with a 2nd place at the Demacia Cup 2025 off the back of strong performances from their mid and jungler.
Despite the odds, Invictus Gaming (GGBet outright odds: 11) is the best pick for those looking to side with a potential underdog in the LPL Split 1.
Invictus Gaming has been the LPL’s feast-or-famine team. TheShy could be the best or worst player of the league, and there was no telling which version would show up. However, the team heads into 2026 with half of its roster changed. Somehow, the new squad is able to fill the shoes of the old and to even replicate its teamfight-heavy style.
IG begun 2026 by winning the Demacia Cup. Only time will tell whether they can be consistent, but siding with Invictus Gaming could be a good way to increase potential earnings.
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Featured image: Riot
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