The 2026 LEC format explained: New LEC Versus, Spring and Summer splits

Following a lot of fan feedback, the LEC gets a new and improved format for the 2026 season! Let’s break down what the tournament will look like now.

2026 LEC: No more Winter split, enter LEC Versus in its place

The LEC is joining the Eastern regions in referring to Winter as a different tournament. LEC Versus, replacing the Winter split, is an invitational featuring the ten LEC teams as well as two ERLs.

The tier 2 teams that will participate in the 2026 LEC Versus are Los Ratones (as the best performing team across the 2025 EMEA Masters season) and the winner of the EMEA Masters. They will not stay for the Spring or Summer splits.

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LEC Versus will be a single-round Best of 1 (Bo1) Round Robin between the 12 teams. After it, the top 8 teams move on to a double elimination playoffs. The first two rounds will be Bo3s, while every match after will be a Bo5.

Just like in 2025, the winner of the 2026 LEC Versus will represent EMEA at First Stand.

The final participant to the LEC Versus will be determined at the EMEA Masters Finals on November the 2nd. It can be either KC Blue, or Los Heretics.

Note: This hasn’t been specified, but it should be safe to assume that every match will keep using Fearless draft, seeing the unanimous success it had in 2025. It was initially supposed to only be applied to the 2025 Winter and First Stand and was extended to the entire year, so it should remain the default for competitive League from here on out.

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2026 LEC Spring Split

The LEC Spring Split is getting no format changes for 2026! It’ll once again be a single Bo3 Round Robin between the 10 teams. After the regular season, the top 6 teams make it to the playoffs. Playoffs will be a double elimination Bo5 bracket, where the top 2 teams qualify for MSI. For those interested in League of Legends betting, the format for the regular season remains a consistent point of focus.

2025 had two weeks in the Spring split be a roadshow. Following their success, 2026 will host more of these. Probably during both splits!

Riot has not stated whether the Spring finals will be played in the LEC studio or if they’ll also get an arena. Fans, players and casters alike strongly ask for the latter. But pending further information, it’s safe to assume these matches will still take place in the LEC studio.

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2026 LEC Summer Split

In 2026, the Spring and Summer splits will be identical in the LEC! So, Bo3 single Round Robin, into Bo5 double elimination playoffs.

The Summer grand finals and loser’s finals will once again be played in an arena. And the loser’s semifinals might as well, but nothing is certain yet on that front.

And until the next season begins, we’ve still got plenty of LoL Worlds left to go!

Featured Image Source: Riot Games/LEC (via X)