Riot Video games has unveiled the codecs that can characteristic all through the 2026 League Championship Collection (LCS) season.
The upcoming season marks the return of the LCS branding to North American League of Legends after ditching the LTA branding and codecs after a yr.
In a video hosted by LCS Commissioner Mark Zimmerman, particulars on new codecs and changes to current formulation had been revealed. The season begins on January twenty fourth with the LCS Lock-In.
LCS Lock-In 2026 Format
The primary cut up of 2026 will embody a best-of-three Swiss stage, with the highest 5 groups securing a spot within the playoffs. Groups that end sixth and seventh will play a tie-breaker to find out the sixth and closing playoff workforce.
The highest 4 groups will start the playoffs within the higher bracket, with the highest seed being able to select their first opponents from seeds two to 4. The remaining two groups will compete from the decrease bracket. Zimmerman says that cut up one will “have 50% extra video games than 2025.”
Much like final yr, the successful workforce will qualify for First Stand, the primary worldwide match of the yr.
LCS 2026 Spring And Summer season Codecs
LCS Spring 2026 begins with a best-of-three spherical robin group stage, figuring out the six groups that qualify for the playoffs.
The Spring playoffs will use the identical format because the Lock-In, with 4 groups beginning within the higher bracket and two within the decrease bracket.
The winner and runner-up of LCS Spring will safe qualification for the Mid-Season Invitational.
LCS Summer season’s format differs from Spring. Whereas six groups qualify for the playoffs, the highest two groups earn a spot within the second spherical of the higher bracket, with the remaining groups beginning in spherical one.
Summer season encompasses a double-elimination bracket, giving groups two probabilities to safe one among three spots at Worlds 2026.
Along with unveiling extra about subsequent yr’s LCS codecs, Zimmerman revealed that extra data on what the league has in retailer can be introduced in early 2026.
