TSW pulled off the biggest upset of the Bracket Stage so far, while HLE continued their unbeaten run with another sweep.
The excitement continues to build at the 2026 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational, with 
Team Secret Whales executing an upset against LPL’s 
Top Esports 3-1 in the first round of the Lower Bracket and 
Hanwha Life Esports dominating 
G2 Esports in a clean sweep in Upper Bracket Round 1.
Team Secret Whales dropped to the Lower Bracket after failing to overcome LCK’s Hanwha Life Esports, while Top Esports were outlasted by G2 Esports 3-2 in the Upper Bracket.
Here’s how the matches went:
Team Secret Whales upset Top Esports 3-1
TSW came flying out of the gates in Game 1, surprising their LPL opponents with aggressive plays and strong team fighting. The LCP first seed were dominant throughout the match, taking control of the entire map and barely giving any room for Top Esports to breathe. And after a 32-minute encounter with a 13,000-gold lead and an overwhelming 29-6 kill lead, TSW destroyed the TES Nexus to take the first game and make a statement win.
Top Esports bounced back in the second game, overwhelming TSW from the laning phase onwards and keeping the LCP team from taking any meaningful objectives. And in just 28 minutes, with a 16,000-gold lead and a 15-3 kill lead, TES destroyed TSW’s Nexus to win the second game and even out the series.
Team Secret Whales took the upper hand for most of the third game, gaining ground through most of the map objectives. Top Esports clawed their way through the onslaught, finding a few wins in small team fights, but not enough to take down the LCP representatives. After 30 minutes, Team Secret tore through the TES base, winning the third game to take their team to match point.
The fourth game was a fight for survival, with both teams going aggressive from the laning phase until the late game. Team fights around most objectives erupted, with the advantage going back and forth between both teams. However, it was Team Secret that broke through after nearly 42 minutes, destroying the TES Nexus and closing out the game with a 21-14 kill lead to win the series.
With their win, Team Secret Whales keep their MSI 2026 hopes alive. They will move to Lower Bracket Round 2, where they will face the loser of the Upper Bracket Round 2 match between Bilibili Gaming and LYON.
Meanwhile, Top Esports end their MSI 2026 journey in 7th to 8th place, taking home US$110,000 in consolation.
Hanwha Life Esports sweep G2 Esports 3-0
HLE continue their dominant run in the Upper Bracket by executing another clean 3-0 against LEC first seed G2 Esports.
Both teams showed up big in the first game. It was a bloody encounter, with both teams trying to outplay each other. However, despite G2’s attempts to stay afloat in the series, HLE managed to pull ahead, gaining an advantage through the Dragons they had taken, including the Dragon Soul. And after a 33-minute encounter, HLE destroyed G2’s Nexus to close out the game with a 27-19 kill lead and a 10,000-gold lead.
The second game was more one-sided, with HLE in complete control of Summoner’s Rift. The LCK first seed did not give G2 any room to breathe, racking up 29 kills as opposed to G2’s seven. It only took 24 minutes for the match to conclude, with HLE taking down G2’s Nexus to win the second game and take their team to match point.
HLE continued their momentum from the first two games. They once again overpowered the LEC first seed, with no hesitation in team fights, which allowed them to take 33 kills against G2’s seven. And in just 25 minutes, HLE once again marched down G2’s base to destroy the Nexus, win the third game and take the series.
With their win, Hanwha Life Esports have made it to the Upper Bracket Finals, awaiting the winner of the Upper Bracket Round 2 match-up between 
Bilibili Gaming and 
LYON.
Meanwhile, G2 drop to Lower Bracket Round 2, where they will go head-to-head against the winner of the Lower Bracket Round 1 match between 
T1 and 
FURIA Esports.
