The LoL Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage is officially set, with eight teams securing their places in the quarterfinals. Dplus KIA and Gen.G qualified undefeated, while T1, Invictus Gaming, Top Esports, Karmine Corp, LYON and Bilibili Gaming also made it through the Swiss Stage.
The quarterfinal draw has delivered some exciting matchups, including T1 against Karmine Corp and an all-LPL battle between Top Esports and Invictus Gaming. Meanwhile, BLG will have to face undefeated Dplus KIA, and LYON face another meeting with Gen.G.
With the tournament moving into single elimination, there is very little room for mistakes. Here are all eight qualified teams, the complete quarterfinal draw and what to expect from each matchup.
All eight teams qualified for the Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage
The Swiss Stage is over, and eight teams remain in the race for the Summoner's Cup. The LCK and LPL both have three representatives, while the LEC and LCS each have one team left.
| Team | Region | Swiss record | Quarterfinal opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dplus KIA | LCK | 3-0 | Bilibili Gaming |
| Gen.G | LCK | 3-0 | LYON |
| T1 | LCK | 3-1 | Karmine Corp |
| Invictus Gaming | LPL | 3-1 | Top Esports |
| Top Esports | LPL | 3-1 | Invictus Gaming |
| Bilibili Gaming | LPL | 3-2 | Dplus KIA |
| Karmine Corp | LEC | 3-2 | T1 |
| LYON | LCS | 3-2 | Gen.G |
Dplus KIA and Gen.G were the first teams to qualify after finishing 3-0. T1, IG and TES followed with 3-1 records, while BLG, KC and LYON had to go the distance and win their final Swiss matches.
Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage quarterfinal draw
Riot Games held the quarterfinal draw after the final Swiss Stage matches on October 31. The draw was split into two phases. First, Dplus KIA and Gen.G were placed on opposite sides of the bracket and paired with teams from the 3-2 pool. The remaining 3-1 and 3-2 teams were then drawn to complete the matchups.
| Quarterfinal | Matchup | Swiss records |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dplus KIA vs Bilibili Gaming | 3-0 vs 3-2 |
| 2 | Karmine Corp vs T1 | 3-2 vs 3-1 |
| 3 | Top Esports vs Invictus Gaming | 3-1 vs 3-1 |
| 4 | Gen.G vs LYON | 3-0 vs 3-2 |
One interesting detail is that all three LCK teams avoided facing each other in the quarterfinals. Dplus KIA and Gen.G are also on opposite sides of the bracket, meaning an LCK showdown between the two undefeated teams can only happen in the grand final.
Watch the official Worlds 2026 quarterfinal draw below:
The quarterfinal draw has set up four intriguing matchups. While some teams have made it through the Swiss Stage without much trouble, others have had to battle until the very end to secure their place. Here's how each team reached the knockout stage and what to expect from the upcoming series.
How the teams qualified and what to expect in the quarterfinals
Dplus KIA vs Bilibili Gaming
Dplus KIA: DK had an excellent Swiss Stage, defeating G2 Esports, T1 and Movistar KOI to finish 3-0. They have looked consistent and controlled their qualification without needing a fifth round.
Bilibili Gaming: BLG's Swiss Stage campaign was far from smooth. They lost to Movistar KOI in their opening match, but responded with wins over Team Liquid and Karmine Corp. A defeat to Top Esports left them needing one more result to stay alive, and they delivered with a 2-0 win against Hanwha Life Esports. Knight was one of the biggest factors in that final victory.
Prediction: Dplus KIA deserve to be favourites based on their Swiss performance, but BLG showed against HLE that they can raise their level when it matters. This could be closer than the records suggest.
Karmine Corp vs T1
Karmine Corp: KC's road started in the Play-In Stage, and reaching the quarterfinals is already a strong achievement. They lost to LYON and BLG in the Swiss Stage but recovered with convincing 2-0 wins against CTBC Flying Oyster and Movistar KOI.
T1: The reigning world champions finished 3-1. After defeating LOS and losing to Dplus KIA, they bounced back with wins against CTBC Flying Oyster and Movistar KOI. T1 will also have the advantage of extensive experience in international best-of-five matches.
Prediction: T1 are favourites, but KC should not be underestimated. The two teams have previous international history, and KC will be eager to prove they belong among the best.
Top Esports vs Invictus Gaming
Top Esports: TES recovered from an opening defeat to Hanwha Life Esports and went on to beat Anyone's Legend, G2 Esports and BLG. Their 2-1 win against BLG was an important statement heading into the playoffs.
Invictus Gaming: IG also recovered from a difficult start after losing to Gen.G. They then defeated Team Secret Whales, Hanwha Life Esports and LYON to secure their 3-1 record.
Prediction: This is arguably the hardest quarterfinal to call. Both teams have shown strong recovery and know the LPL playstyle extremely well. Draft preparation and individual performances could decide everything.
Gen.G vs LYON
Gen.G: Gen.G were one of the standout teams in the Swiss Stage, defeating IG, Hanwha Life Esports and LYON to finish undefeated. Their 2-1 victory over LYON means they already know what it takes to beat their quarterfinal opponents.
LYON: North America's last remaining representative started well with wins against Team Secret Whales and Karmine Corp. They then lost to Gen.G and IG before securing qualification with a 2-1 victory over LOS in the final round.
Prediction: Gen.G look like the stronger side going into this series, but LYON have already shown they can make a run when it matters. They will need to play at a much higher level than they did in their previous meeting with Gen.G if they want to cause an upset. Still, making the quarterfinals after a 3-2 Swiss run is a solid achievement for the LCS.
When does the Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage begin?
The Worlds 2026 quarterfinals get underway on Tuesday, November 3, with the opening broadcast scheduled for 2:00 PM Pacific, 5:00 PM Eastern and 11:00 PM Central European Time. Riot Games will share the confirmed match schedule through its official LoL Esports channels.
Every quarterfinal is a best-of-five series, with teams needing three wins to reach the semifinals. From this point on, the tournament is single-elimination, so one series loss means the end of a team's Worlds run.
If you are making your own predictions, check out our Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage Pick'ems guide before the matches begin.
Riot Games has also shared the completed quarterfinal draw on its official social media account:
Frequently asked questions about the Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage
Which teams qualified for the Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage?
Dplus KIA, Gen.G, T1, Invictus Gaming, Top Esports, Bilibili Gaming, Karmine Corp and LYON qualified for the quarterfinals.
What are the Worlds 2026 quarterfinal matchups?
Dplus KIA face BLG, Karmine Corp play T1, Top Esports meet Invictus Gaming, and Gen.G take on LYON.
When does the Knockout Stage start?
The quarterfinals begin on November 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time.
What format are the Worlds 2026 quarterfinals?
All quarterfinals are best-of-five matches played in a single-elimination format.
Which teams finished the Swiss Stage undefeated?
Dplus KIA and Gen.G both finished with 3-0 records.
Eight teams, one Summoner's Cup
The Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage has everything needed for an exciting finish. Dplus KIA and Gen.G enter as the undefeated teams, T1 will look to defend its title, and BLG have a chance to build on their strong final Swiss performance.
There is also plenty at stake for the LEC and LCS, with Karmine Corp and LYON carrying their regions into the quarterfinals. The action starts November 3, and from here on, every series counts.
Stay tuned to RiftDaily's Worlds coverage for the latest results, match analysis and updates from the road to the Worlds 2026 final.
