Worlds Anthem 2026 will be performed by True Damage, with Riot Games bringing back its virtual hip-hop collective for “Know My Name,” a new song centered on Faker and T1’s historic World Championship legacy.
The announcement gives the 2026 League of Legends World Championship a major musical comeback story. True Damage has not released a new song since “GIANTS” became one of the defining performances of Worlds 2019, and “Know My Name” will become the 13th official Worlds Anthem.
Worlds Anthem 2026 is “Know My Name” by True Damage
Riot has picked True Damage for the Worlds Anthem 2026, with “Know My Name” arriving on October 8. The official music video will be released on the League of Legends YouTube channel at 6 p.m. PDT on the same day.
The announcement puts True Damage back at the center of Riot’s Worlds music tradition, seven years after the virtual group debuted with “GIANTS” at Worlds 2019. Riot has also begun promoting the comeback across its social channels.
Seven years after “GIANTS” introduced True Damage to the Worlds stage, Riot is bringing the virtual group back for another championship anthem. The timing makes the announcement especially notable, with “Know My Name” set to become the first Worlds Anthem performed by one of Riot’s virtual artist groups.
“Know My Name” will then move from the announcement campaign to the Worlds stage, with True Damage scheduled to perform during the Worlds 2026 Final Opening Ceremony in Brooklyn on November 14.
Worlds Anthem 2026 is “Know My Name” by True Damage
According to Riot, the music video will focus on Faker and the journey that led to T1’s historic three-peat World Championship victory. Rather than simply serving as a tournament theme, the video is designed around the setbacks, evolution and resilience that have shaped Faker’s career.
The announcement makes “Know My Name” notable for another reason. This is the first time one of Riot Games’ virtual artists has performed an official Worlds Anthem. True Damage previously appeared at the 2019 World Championship Finals, but its return now puts the virtual group at the center of the tournament’s annual music tradition.
Riot’s official Worlds Anthem announcement confirms the October 8 release and the group’s role in the 2026 World Championship.
Who is in True Damage for the 2026 Worlds song?
The 2026 version of True Damage brings back several of the creative identities associated with the original virtual group, while introducing a new vocal lineup for the characters for the Worlds Anthem 2026.
| League champion | 2026 artist | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Akali | SOYEON | Rapper |
| Ekko | Vic Mensa | Rapper |
| Qiyana | Sofía Reyes | Vocalist and rapper |
| Senna | Coco Jones | Vocalist |
| Yasuo | Virtual character | DJ and producer |
SOYEON returns as Akali after helping establish True Damage in 2019. She has also been a key part of K/DA, making her one of the most recognizable artists across Riot’s virtual music projects.
The rest of the 2026 lineup includes Coco Jones as Senna, Sofía Reyes as Qiyana and Vic Mensa as Ekko. Riot identifies Yasuo as the group’s DJ and producer.
More information about the group’s previous in-game appearances and cosmetics is available through Riot’s True Damage content and skins archive.
Faker and T1 are at the center of the 2026 Worlds song
The central storyline for the Worlds Music Video is Faker’s career and T1’s run to a third consecutive World Championship. Riot says the video will revisit the victories and challenges that shaped that journey, with resilience serving as a major theme.
That focus continues a long-running approach to Worlds music. Riot has frequently used the annual anthem and its music video to connect the tournament to the players and teams competing for the Summoner’s Cup, turning major esports storylines into musical narratives.
The Worlds Anthem 2026 announcement therefore places “Know My Name” firmly within the history of Worlds songs, while giving it a specific focus on one of League of Legends’ most decorated competitors.
Worlds 2026 gets a True Damage opening ceremony performance
True Damage will not be limited to the music video. Riot confirmed that the group will perform at the Worlds 2026 Final Opening Ceremony Presented by Mastercard on November 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Worlds 2026 begins on October 15 in Los Angeles before the tournament moves toward its final stages and the championship event in New York. The United States return gives the True Damage comeback an additional connection to the event, particularly given the group’s hip-hop identity and its previous Worlds performance.
For ongoing tournament coverage, the Worlds hub will track the competition as the event approaches, while the broader esports section covers the latest League of Legends competitive news.
True Damage returns seven years after “GIANTS”
True Damage’s return comes seven years after “GIANTS,” the group’s debut single that was unveiled at Worlds 2019. The original lineup combined League champions Akali, Ekko, Qiyana, Senna and Yasuo with performances from Becky G, Keke Palmer, SOYEON, DUCKWRTH and Thutmose.
“GIANTS” was released for Worlds 2019 and was performed during the opening ceremony of the World Championship Finals. The official video has since passed 230 million views on YouTube.
The 2019 performance remains an important part of the True Damage story. Riot described “GIANTS” as the group’s debut single, with the song and its virtual performers becoming part of the Worlds 2019 spectacle.
The seven-year gap also gives the 2026 release added significance for League’s music universe, with True Damage returning to the Worlds stage after a long period without a new track.
Every Worlds song from 2014 to 2026
Since “Warriors” became the first official Worlds anthem in 2014, Riot Games has used a new song each year to help define the League of Legends World Championship. The songs have ranged from rock and electronic music to pop and hip-hop, with several becoming closely associated with the players and stories of their respective Worlds.
| Year | Worlds song | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Warriors | Imagine Dragons |
| 2015 | Worlds Collide | Nicki Taylor |
| 2016 | Ignite | Zedd |
| 2017 | Legends Never Die | Against The Current |
| 2018 | RISE | The Glitch Mob, Mako and The Word Alive |
| 2019 | Phoenix | Cailin Russo and Chrissy Costanza |
| 2020 | Take Over | Jeremy McKinnon, MAX and Henry |
| 2021 | Burn It All Down | PVRIS |
| 2022 | STAR WALKIN’ | LiL Nas X |
| 2023 | GODS | NewJeans |
| 2024 | Heavy Is The Crown | Linkin Park |
| 2025 | Sacrifice | G.E.M. |
| 2026 | Know My Name | True Damage |
“Know My Name” adds another chapter to that history, but its release is also notable because True Damage is the first Riot virtual artist project to perform an official Worlds Anthem. The group’s return connects the Worlds Anthem 2026 to the broader history of Riot’s virtual music projects while giving this year’s championship its own musical identity.
True Damage return comes amid more Riot music activity
True Damage is not the only Riot Games virtual music project making headlines in 2026. HEARTSTEEL has already returned with “LIVE MY LIFE,” marking the group’s first confirmed new music since “PARANOIA” in 2023.
The new HEARTSTEEL release adds to a busy year for Riot’s virtual artists, with “LIVE MY LIFE” arriving just weeks before the announcement of the Worlds Anthem 2026.
There has also been renewed speculation around K/DA. A reported leak has pointed to a song called “WATCH ME,” prompting fresh discussion about a possible comeback for the virtual pop group.
That K/DA release has not been officially confirmed by Riot, but the reported song has added another layer to the renewed interest in the company’s virtual music projects. The reported “WATCH ME” leak remains unconfirmed for now.
True Damage is part of a much larger virtual music universe Riot has built around League of Legends. From K/DA’s pop sound to Pentakill’s metal and HEARTSTEEL’s boy-band-inspired style, each project has its own identity.
| Group | Style | Notable releases |
|---|---|---|
| K/DA | Pop / K-pop | “POP/STARS”, “MORE” |
| True Damage | Hip-hop | “GIANTS”, “Know My Name” |
| Pentakill | Heavy metal | “Lightbringer”, “Mortal Reminder” |
| HEARTSTEEL | Pop / hip-hop | “PARANOIA”, “LIVE MY LIFE” |
| DJ Sona | Electronic | “Concussive”, “Ethereal”, “Kinetic” |
HEARTSTEEL is already back, True Damage is returning for the Worlds Anthem 2026, and K/DA is at the center of fresh comeback speculation. Riot’s virtual bands are suddenly back in the spotlight.
Image credit: Riot Games
Frequently asked questions about the Worlds Anthem 2026
What is the Worlds Anthem 2026?
The 2026 Worlds Anthem is “Know My Name” by True Damage. Riot Games confirmed it as the official League of Legends World Championship Anthem for 2026.
When does the Worlds song 2026 release?
“Know My Name” is scheduled for release on major streaming platforms on October 8, 2026. The official Worlds Music Video will premiere at 6 p.m. PDT on the same day.
Who performs the 2026 Worlds song?
True Damage performs the song, with SOYEON as Akali, Coco Jones as Senna, Sofía Reyes as Qiyana and Vic Mensa as Ekko. Yasuo serves as the group’s DJ and producer.
Is True Damage returning after “GIANTS”?
Yes. “Know My Name” marks True Damage’s return seven years after “GIANTS,” which was released in connection with Worlds 2019.
What is the 2026 Worlds Music Video about?
Riot says the video will focus on Faker and T1’s historic three-peat World Championship victory, highlighting the challenges, defeats and resilience behind that achievement.
Will True Damage perform at Worlds 2026?
Yes. True Damage is scheduled to perform “Know My Name” during the Worlds 2026 Final Opening Ceremony Presented by Mastercard on November 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
What to watch before Worlds 2026 begins
“Know My Name” now has a confirmed October 8 release date, giving Worlds 2026 its latest major music announcement ahead of the tournament’s October 15 start. The song’s video will put Faker and T1’s championship legacy at the center of the story, while True Damage’s return reconnects the 2026 event with one of Riot’s most recognizable virtual music projects.
The next major date is October 8, when the Worlds Anthem and official music video arrive. The story will then continue on the Worlds stage, with True Damage scheduled to perform at the November 14 final in Brooklyn. Follow the latest tournament developments through the latest news and Worlds coverage.
