MSI 2026 is almost here, and while most of the qualified teams are not huge surprises, the road they took to get here says a lot about what to expect in Daejeon.
The tournament runs from June 28 to July 12 at Daejeon Convention Center II in South Korea, with 11 teams fighting through an all best-of-five format. Four teams start in play-ins, only one of them reaches the bracket stage, and every series from there is double elimination. For a wider tournament hub, follow RiftDaily’s MSI coverage.
The biggest catch-up point: several teams look very different from earlier in the year. Hanwha Life Esports turned a mocked first split into Korea’s first seed. G2 Esports shook off another slow domestic regular season and won Europe again. FURIA have become a cleaner and more dangerous version of last year’s Brazilian representative. Deep Cross Gaming and Team Secret Whales have made the LCP one of the most chaotic regions to scout.
MSI 2026 format, teams and first matches
The official MSI 2026 schedule starts with T1 vs Team Liquid and Karmine Corp vs Deep Cross Gaming in the play-in stage. The winner of that four-team bracket joins Bilibili Gaming, Top Esports, Hanwha Life Esports, G2 Esports, Team Secret Whales, LYON and FURIA in the bracket stage.
| Team | Region | Stage | Core roster | Head coach or lead coach | Quick read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bilibili Gaming | LPL | Bracket | Bin, Xun, Knight, Viper, ON | Daeny | First Stand winner, title favorite, strongest carry lanes |
| Top Esports | LPL | Bracket | ZUIAN, Tian, Creme, JackeyLove, fengyue | Poppy | Dangerous but volatile, with JackeyLove and Creme still central |
| Hanwha Life Esports | LCK | Bracket | Zeus, Kanavi, Zeka, Gumayusi, Delight | Homme | Korea’s first seed, explosive topside, elite ceiling |
| G2 Esports | LEC | Bracket | BrokenBlade, SkewMond, Caps, Hans Sama, Labrov | Dylan Falco | Best Western team, better jungle-support cohesion than in 2025 |
| Team Secret Whales | LCP | Bracket | Hiro02, Pun, Hizto, Dire, Eddie, Bie | Warhorse | Perfect LCP split, fearless skirmishing, major jungle-mid threat |
| LYON | LCS | Bracket | Castle, Dhokla, Inspired, Saint, Berserker, Isles | Reignover | North America’s first seed, built around Inspired’s control |
| FURIA | CBLOL | Bracket | Guigo, Tatu, Tutsz, Ayu, JoJo | Thinkcard | Brazil’s lone seed, proactive early game, real upset threat |
| T1 | LCK | Play-ins | Doran, Oner, Faker, Peyz, Keria | KkOma | World champions in a brutal play-in path |
| Karmine Corp | LEC | Play-ins | Canna, Yike, kyeahoo, Caliste, Busio | Reapered | Europe’s second seed, high ceiling bot lane, dangerous draft range |
| Team Liquid | LCS | Play-ins | Morgan, Josedeodo, Quid, Yeon, CoreJJ | Spawn | Rebuilt roster, improved playoff form, underdog against T1 |
| Deep Cross Gaming | LCP | Play-ins | Flauren, Pop9, HongSuo, Feng, ShiauC | Staff listing not clearly published in MSI roster data | Explosive lower-bracket qualifier with nonstop fight instincts |
The title favorites: BLG, Hanwha Life Esports and G2
Bilibili Gaming enter MSI 2026 as the most obvious favorite. BLG already won First Stand, brought Viper into a roster that still has Bin, Knight, Xun and ON, and have the kind of lane pressure that can break best-of-fives open before opponents reach stable scaling setups. Games of Legends data for BLG’s LPL 2026 Split 1 run shows 17.5 kills per game, 2.4 dragons per game and a 71.4 percent win rate when ahead at 15 minutes, which fits the eye test: BLG are aggressive, but not reckless.
Hanwha Life Esports are the LCK’s first seed after winning Road to MSI, and their story is one of the biggest turnarounds of the season. Earlier in the year, HLE were hurt by a brutal format result that made them look far worse than they were. In Split 2, they looked much closer to the superteam on paper. Zeus gives them carry top pressure, Kanavi has become the tempo-setter, Zeka is peaking again, Gumayusi brings structure to chaotic topside games, and Delight remains one of the best engage supports in the world when the meta allows it.
G2 Esports are the best Western team coming into MSI. Their spring playoff run was far more convincing than their regular season, and the most important improvement has been SkewMond’s development. In 2025, G2 could look disconnected between jungle, support and lanes. This year, SkewMond and Labrov are moving together with far better purpose, while Caps and Hans Sama both had strong enough playoff moments to make G2 a legitimate threat to any team outside the top LPL and LCK tier. G2’s LEC Versus Playoffs numbers were strong, with 19.6 kills per game, a +1,342 gold differential at 15 minutes and 1.42 Barons per game.
For a quick overview before diving into every team, this MSI 2026 explainer covers the tournament dates, format, qualified teams and early schedule.
The full picture gets more interesting team by team, especially with T1 starting in play-ins, HLE entering as Korea’s first seed, and several regional champions arriving with very different styles.
The LPL contenders: BLG and Top Esports
BLG’s biggest strength is that no lane can be ignored. Bin remains the best top laner in the world conversation, Knight is still one of the cleanest mid laners in pressure games, and Viper gives BLG a bot lane carry who can punish mistakes without needing the whole map warped around him. The champion pool around Bin and Knight also matters in Fearless Draft, where repeated comfort picks disappear as a series goes deeper.
Top Esports are harder to place. Their peak is high enough to reach a final, but they have had more drama and more volatility than BLG. ZUIAN brings a fresh top lane profile, Tian is still capable of taking over early games, Creme is a genuine playmaking mid, and JackeyLove gives TES the same double-edged edge he has always had: massive damage, big confidence and occasional disaster. Their season stats show 15.2 kills per game and 16.2 deaths per game, which tells the story well. TES can win shootouts, but they also give opponents room to hit back.
The LCK powerhouses: HLE and T1
HLE should be treated as a real title favorite. The combination of Zeus, Kanavi and Zeka gives them perhaps the most explosive topside at the tournament, while Gumayusi and Delight make the bottom side flexible enough to play utility, lane control or late-game setup. The biggest question is not talent. It is whether the team’s aggression stays coordinated against BLG, G2 or T1-level punish windows.
T1 start in play-ins because they finished second in Korea’s Road to MSI, not because they look like a normal play-in team. Doran, Oner, Faker, Peyz and Keria still make up one of the most dangerous rosters in the tournament. T1’s LCK Rounds 1-2 stats show 17.3 kills per game, a +674 gold differential at 15 minutes and an 88.5 percent win rate when ahead at 15, but their MSI path is unforgiving. Lose one early best-of-five and the lower bracket becomes stressful immediately.
The European teams: G2 and Karmine Corp
G2’s improvement since earlier in the year is mostly about cohesion. BrokenBlade is still the draft wild card, Caps is still the ceiling raiser, and Hans Sama has looked more reliable than he did during some of G2’s weaker international showings. The key player may be SkewMond. If he can keep forcing good early-game angles against elite junglers, G2 can win more than just the “best of the West” argument.
Karmine Corp are the more volatile European team, but they are not far behind G2. They pushed G2 to five games, and the 2026 additions of kyeahoo and Busio have raised the roster’s ceiling. Canna gives KC carry top angles, Yike has looked sharper in playoffs, Caliste is one of the most exciting AD carries in the West, and Busio brings the kind of support play that can decide an entire play-in bracket. KC’s season numbers, including 15.5 kills per game, 2.9 dragons per game and an 83.7 percent win rate when ahead at 15, make them more than a fan-hype story.
North America: LYON and Team Liquid
LYON are North America’s first seed and have been the cleanest LCS team domestically. Inspired remains the central figure. If LYON get stable lanes from Castle or Dhokla, Saint can cover enough mid-game space for Berserker and Isles to play fights on their terms. Their full-season Games of Legends profile shows a 62 percent win rate, 14.2 kills per game and a +325 gold differential at 15 minutes. The concern is international translation, especially after a difficult First Stand showing.
Team Liquid look far better than they did at the beginning of the year. Morgan, Josedeodo and Quid gave TL a new topside identity around Yeon and CoreJJ, and the playoff win over Cloud9 was a strong sign that the rebuild is working. Still, their opening draw is brutal. T1 are the favorite, and TL’s best route is to make the series messy enough for Quid and CoreJJ to find repeated pick angles.
Brazil: Furia
FURIA may be the most underrated team at MSI 2026. This is not just a Brazilian team arriving for experience. Guigo has accepted a more stable weak-side role, Tatu has become the region’s standout jungler, Tutsz is still a fearless mid-lane playmaker, Ayu has improved as a reliable carry, and JoJo gives FURIA a flexible support identity. Their S16 numbers are excellent for a minor-region champion: 72 percent win rate, 16.4 kills per game, 2.8 dragons per game and 1.12 Barons per game. For more competitive context around regional play, follow RiftDaily’s esports coverage.
The LCP wild cards: Team Secret Whales and Deep Cross Gaming
Team Secret Whales went perfect in LCP Split 2 and arrive as one of the most fun teams in the field. Hizto is the star, Dire gives them aggressive mid-game threat, Eddie is a high-risk damage dealer, and Bie has leaned into the team’s fast style. Pun is the draft headache. His champion pool has included bruisers, tanks and strange counterpicks, making Secret Whales a nightmare team to prepare for in Fearless Draft.
Deep Cross Gaming are even more chaotic. Flauren has grown into one of the LCP’s best top laners, Pop9 plays like every fight can be won through mechanics, HongSuo is the stabilizing mid, Feng is an aggressive AD carry, and ShiauC is the veteran presence. Their Split 1 stats already showed the style clearly: 18.9 kills per game, 14.2 deaths per game and 2.8 dragons per game. Against KC, that could create one of the most explosive opening series of the tournament.
Photos by: Bruno Alvares - Riot Games and Heaven Wolf - Riot Games
MSI 2026 play-in bracket
The MSI 2026 play-in stage begins with two opening best-of-five series. Only one of the four teams will make it through to the bracket stage.
| Round | Matchup | What’s at stake |
|---|---|---|
| Opening round | T1 vs Team Liquid | Winner moves on in the play-in bracket |
| Opening round | Karmine Corp vs Deep Cross Gaming | Winner moves on in the play-in bracket |
| Qualification path | Winners continue through the bracket | Only one team reaches the MSI 2026 bracket stage |
The play-in format is especially unforgiving this year. T1, Team Liquid, Karmine Corp and Deep Cross Gaming all start in the same four-team bracket, and only one of them will survive to join the main field in Daejeon.
Recent champion trends to watch at MSI 2026
The MSI 2026 meta looks unusually open. The safest high-priority names coming into the event include Orianna, Varus, Rumble, Vi, Jarvan IV, Pantheon, Yunara, Karma, Bard and Nautilus, but Fearless Draft should stretch every team’s preparation. That helps teams with flexible solo laners such as Bin, BrokenBlade, Canna, Zeus, Pun and Flauren.
Some patterns stand out. G2 have leaned into jungle variety with Vi, Jarvan IV, Trundle, Wukong, Dr. Mundo and Skarner all appearing in recent playoff data. Team Secret Whales have played through Hizto’s engage and skirmish pool, while Pun’s top lane champion list is one of the broadest in the event. FURIA’s Tatu brings Olaf, Skarner, Rek’Sai, Xin Zhao, Pantheon and Nasus looks. KC can flex between Canna’s carry tops and Yike’s bruiser or tank choices. That depth matters because a long best-of-five can force teams away from their cleanest first-game plans.
Opening match predictions for MSI 2026 play-ins
T1 vs Team Liquid prediction: T1 win 3-1. TL are good enough to take a game if Quid finds control in mid or CoreJJ breaks open the map with roaming support play. The problem is that T1 have stronger lanes, better international experience and more ways to win a long series. Peyz and Keria should be favored in late-game fights, while Faker’s champion pool gives T1 more room to adapt.
Karmine Corp vs Deep Cross Gaming prediction: Karmine Corp win 3-2. This is the more dangerous upset pick. DCG will not wait politely for KC to set the map, and Flauren against Canna could be a real lane-to-teamfight test. Still, KC have more reliable carry structure through Caliste and Busio, and Yike’s recent playoff form gives them the edge if the series reaches game five.
Play-in winner prediction: T1. The bracket is ruthless, but T1 are still the most complete team in it. KC are the best candidate to challenge them, while TL and DCG need higher-chaos conditions to steal the spot.
Power ranking the teams coming into MSI 2026
The top tier is BLG and HLE, with G2 close enough to punish either if they arrive in their best form. T1 are slightly harder to rank because of the play-in path, but on raw strength they belong near the top four. TES are dangerous enough to beat anyone and unstable enough to exit earlier than expected.
After that, KC, Team Secret Whales, LYON and FURIA are the teams most likely to decide the middle of the bracket. KC have the highest Western upside outside G2. Secret Whales have the most frightening early fights. LYON are more controlled, while FURIA are the team most likely to make a favorite uncomfortable before the wider audience catches up.
Team Liquid and Deep Cross Gaming enter as play-in underdogs, but neither should be dismissed. TL have enough veterans and playoff momentum to make T1 work. DCG have enough raw aggression to make KC uncomfortable from the first draft.
Frequently asked questions about MSI 2026 teams
When does MSI 2026 start?
MSI 2026 starts on June 28, 2026. The play-in stage runs until July 1, and the bracket stage runs from July 3 to July 12.
Where is MSI 2026 being held?
MSI 2026 is being held at Daejeon Convention Center II in Daejeon, South Korea.
Which teams start in MSI 2026 play-ins?
T1, Team Liquid, Karmine Corp and Deep Cross Gaming start in play-ins. Only one of those four teams advances to the bracket stage.
Who are the MSI 2026 favorites?
Bilibili Gaming and Hanwha Life Esports are the clearest favorites. G2 Esports, T1 and Top Esports are the next most likely teams to make a deep run.
Which MSI 2026 team is the biggest dark horse?
FURIA are the strongest dark horse because their early-game planning has improved and their domestic numbers are excellent. Team Secret Whales are also dangerous because of their perfect LCP split and aggressive jungle-mid style.
What champions are likely to matter at MSI 2026?
Orianna, Varus, Rumble, Vi, Jarvan IV, Pantheon, Karma, Bard, Nautilus and Yunara are among the most important names to watch, but Fearless Draft should force deeper champion pools in every best-of-five.
Can a Western team win MSI 2026?
G2 Esports have the best chance. Their First Stand performance and improved domestic playoffs make them the most realistic Western challenger, although BLG and HLE still look like stronger title picks.
What to watch first in Daejeon
The first two play-in matches should reveal a lot about MSI 2026. T1 vs Team Liquid will show whether TL’s rebuild is ready for elite pressure, while Karmine Corp vs Deep Cross Gaming could be the first full chaos series of the event. After that, the bigger question is whether BLG and HLE are really a tier above everyone else, or whether G2, T1 or TES can turn a wide-open meta into a title run. Follow RiftDaily’s latest news for more MSI updates as the bracket develops.
