Pro teams face a strategic shake-up this year as a new draft rule changes the game.
The 2026 League of Legends (LoL) esports season is officially underway, and developer Riot Games are starting the year with changes that will directly impact team strategy. The new draft rule, First Selection, gives pro teams more control over side choice and pick priority, while First Stand returns with a best-of-five-heavy format that puts adaptation and preparation at the forefront.
With regional leagues kicking off across January and international seeding already in play, Season 2026 begins with immediate pressure on teams to perform, and fewer automatic advantages than in previous seasons.
Regional leagues return throughout January
Top-tier competition resumes across every major region this month, with the LCK and LPL leading the way on 14 January. The staggered starts give teams little downtime before international implications come into focus.
- LoL Champions Korea (LCK) – 14 January
- LoL Pro League (LPL) – 14 January
- LoL Championship Pacific (LCP) – 16 January
- LoL European Championship (LEC) – 17 January
- Campeonato Brasileiro de LoL (CBLOL) – 17 January
- LoL Championship Series (LCS) – 24 January
Early results will matter more than usual, with First Stand slots and MSI pathways tied closely to regional performance.
First Selection changes how drafts work in pro play
The standout competitive change this season is First Selection, a new draft rule rolling out in all regions from the start of the season. Teams that earn selection no longer automatically choose which side they play on. Instead, they must pick one advantage:
- Side choice (blue or red), or
- Draft priority (first or second pick)
The opposing team then takes the remaining option.
Riot Games say the change reduces side-based win rate advantages while increasing strategic depth. Rather than buffing one side, First Selection rewards preparation, champion pools, and opponent scouting, particularly in longer series.
First Stand returns as the season’s first international test
First Stand runs from 16–22 March in São Paulo, Brazil, hosted at the Riot Games Arena. It marks the first global League of Legends tournament in Brazil since 2017.
Eight teams will compete: two from the LCK and LPL, and one from the LEC, LCS, CBLOL, and LCP. Every match will be a best-of-five, continuing Riot’s push toward formats that reward adaptation and strategic flexibility.
The event will also use Fearless Draft, putting deeper champion pools to the test. Results at First Stand will have direct implications for MSI seeding, including a Play-In Stage bye for the winning region. Tickets go on sale 20 January.
MSI and Worlds set the global roadmap for 2026
Following First Stand, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2026 will head to Daejeon, South Korea, marking the first time the city hosts an international League of Legends event. Details on venues and scheduling will be announced closer to the event.
The season will then culminate with the 2026 World Championship, with Play-Ins through to Semifinals in Allen, Texas, before the Worlds Final takes place in New York, closing out the competitive year.
Hall of Legends and financial changes continue Riot’s long-term shift
Riot also confirmed the Hall of Legends will return ahead of Worlds 2026, introducing its third inductee later in the year.
On the financial side, regional split prize pools in Global Revenue Pool regions will be removed from 2026, with funds redirected towards broader ecosystem support. Prize pools for international events, including First Stand, MSI, and Worlds, will remain unchanged.
With First Selection in play and more BO5s at First Stand, Season 2026 opens with fewer automatic advantages and more strategic pressure than ever. Teams will need depth, flexibility, and adaptation from the very first match.
