The Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles event takes place September 25-27, 2026, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, closing the Vendetta Regional Qualifier season with a $25,000 prize pool, Regional Championship invitations, exclusive Jayce rewards and the first Radiance card reveals.
Los Angeles is the final Riftbound Regional Qualifier of 2026. Beyond the Main Event, the weekend includes side events, vendors, community activities, Prize Wall rewards and merchandise, while Riot Games and UVS say they have made changes in response to problems players experienced at the previous two qualifiers.
Competitors also have a late metagame change to account for. Riot's latest ban-list update took effect on September 18, one week before the event, adding two cards, Ekko, Recurrent and Stacked Deck, to the Standard and Constructed 2v2 ban list.
Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles 2026 at a glance
| Detail | RQ Los Angeles information |
|---|---|
| Event dates | September 25-27, 2026 |
| Early badge collection | Thursday, September 24, 2:00 PM-8:00 PM PDT |
| Venue | Los Angeles Convention Center |
| Address | 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 |
| Prize pool | $25,000 |
| Champion cash prize | $6,000 |
| Regional Championship invites | Top 64 |
| Radiance developer panel | Friday at 3:00 PM PDT |
| Official coverage start | 10:00 AM PDT |
| Secret Garden Bundle | $70, one per event badge while supplies last |
Riot's official RQ Los Angeles event guide confirms the Los Angeles stop as the last Regional Qualifier before the 2026 Regional Championships. It is also the final qualifier of the Vendetta season.
RQ Los Angeles venue, badge collection and opening times
The event is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
The competitive weekend begins Friday, September 25, but attendees can collect badges on Thursday. Early badge collection runs from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM PDT, which also gives attendees access to the merchandise booth before the Main Event starts.
| Day | Badge collection | Premium doors | Standard doors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, Sept. 24 | 2:00 PM-8:00 PM | Not listed | Not listed |
| Friday, Sept. 25 | 9:00 AM-9:00 PM | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| Saturday, Sept. 26 | 8:00 AM-9:00 PM | 8:30 AM | 9:00 AM |
| Sunday, Sept. 27 | 8:00 AM-9:00 PM | 8:30 AM | 9:00 AM |
Premium attendees receive 30 minutes of earlier access on all three main event days. Anyone planning to shop during Thursday badge collection needs to pick up a valid RQ Los Angeles event badge before making a purchase.
Riot and UVS address problems at previous Regional Qualifiers
Riot has used the Los Angeles announcement to directly acknowledge concerns surrounding the previous two Regional Qualifiers. The publisher said the growth of the tournament series has created challenges for the teams responsible for running the events.
Riot and UVS have been reviewing those events and say three areas have received particular attention ahead of Los Angeles:
- More play space for players
- Improved logistics around the Prize Wall and merchandise stores
- A review of judge staffing and policies
Not every issue will necessarily be resolved in Los Angeles. Riot said some solutions require longer-term work and will feed into future Riftbound events as the Organized Play program continues to develop.
Riot and UVS staff are also expected to be onsite throughout the weekend, with the teams inviting attendees to speak with them and provide feedback.
Radiance preview season starts at RQ Los Angeles
RQ Los Angeles will double as the starting point for the Radiance preview season. A developer panel begins Friday at 3:00 PM PDT and is scheduled to reveal a number of cards from Riftbound's fifth set.
The panel features four members of the Riftbound development team:
- Dave Guskin, Game Director
- Jon Moormann, Radiance Lead Designer
- Brice Cox, Creative Director
- Michelle Mauk, Art Director for Radiance
Radiance previews begin in Los Angeles and continue into October. The set is scheduled to release on October 23, 2026, following its Pre-Rift period in October, and Radiance will be legal for the European and North American Regional Championships later in the year.
Anyone unable to attend the developer panel in person will still be able to watch it afterward. Riot says the session will be recorded and uploaded to the official Riftbound YouTube channel once it has concluded.
RQ Los Angeles merchandise sales begin Thursday
The RQ Los Angeles merchandise booth will be located outside the Main Event Hall and opens at 2:00 PM PDT on Thursday during badge collection.
That allows attendees to collect their badge and shop before Friday's main schedule begins. A valid event badge is required for purchases, so the badge must be collected first.
Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles has a $25,000 prize pool
The final Regional Qualifier of the season carries $25,000 in cash prizes. The champion receives $6,000, while additional rewards include Regional Championship invitations, future RQ Competitor Passes, Prize Wall Tickets, playmats and exclusive promotional cards.
Jayce, Brilliant Inventor is the featured promotional card for the event. Different versions are awarded at different stages of the tournament and use the Vendetta Regional Qualifier treatment, including Vendetta and Regional Qualifier foil stamps.
Updated Season 4 RQ prizes
| Finish | Cash prize | Main rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Top 128 | None listed | Lux, Crownguard Crystal Rose playmat; Jayce, Brilliant Inventor Alt Art Top 128 promo |
| Top 64 | None listed | Top 128 rewards; 40 Prize Wall Tickets; Regional Championship invite; future RQ Competitor Pass |
| Top 32 | $250 | Top 64 non-cash rewards |
| Top 16 | $500 | Top 64 non-cash rewards |
| Top 8 | $1,000-$3,000 | Top Cut playmat; Top 128 Jayce promo; exclusive-art Top 8 Jayce promo; 40 Prize Wall Tickets; Regional Championship invite; future RQ pass |
| Champion | $6,000 | Crystal Rose Lux playmat; Top Cut playmat; exclusive-art Top 8 Jayce promo; winner playmat; winner promo; 40 Prize Wall Tickets; Regional Championship invite; future RQ pass |
Every competitor who reaches the Top 128 earns a Lux, Crownguard Crystal Rose playmat and an alternate-art Jayce, Brilliant Inventor Top 128 promo.
At Top 64, the rewards expand to include 40 Prize Wall Tickets, a Regional Championship invitation and a future RQ Competitor Pass. Cash starts at $250 for Top 32 and rises to $500 for Top 16.
Top 8 finishers receive between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on final placement, as well as a Jayce Top Cut playmat and an exclusive-art Top 8 promo. The champion takes home $6,000 and receives dedicated winner versions of the Jayce playmat and promotional card.
Top 64 players qualify for a Regional Championship
Top 64 is one of the most important cutoffs in Los Angeles because every player who reaches it earns a Regional Championship invitation.
According to Riot's 2026 Regional Championship information, invitations are not locked to the region in which they were earned. A qualified player can use an invitation for either the European Regional Championship in Stuttgart or the North American Regional Championship in Las Vegas.
Players who have earned invitations through multiple Regional Qualifiers can attend both championships. That makes Los Angeles one of the final opportunities of 2026 to secure a place at the next stage of Riftbound competition through the RQ system.
Best-Of Legends reward 33 standout performances
Overall tournament placement is not the only competitive target in Los Angeles. The event will feature 33 Best-Of Foil Plated Legends covering Spiritforged, Unleashed and Vendetta.
A Best-Of Legend is awarded to the highest-placing competitor using each eligible Legend. That means a player does not need to win the tournament to claim one. They need to finish higher than every other competitor piloting the same eligible Legend.
The additional prize gives players another meaningful goal deeper into the standings, including those whose decks are built around less common Legends.
Ekko, Recurrent and Stacked Deck are banned before RQ Los Angeles
Players finalizing decks for Los Angeles need to account for a rules change that arrived shortly before the event. Riot added two cards, Ekko, Recurrent and Stacked Deck, to the Standard and Constructed 2v2 ban list effective September 18, 2026.
Riot's September ban-list update specifically cited the approaching Los Angeles Regional Qualifier as a reason for publishing the changes quickly, giving players time to adjust before the qualifier and subsequent Regional Championships.
Competitors should therefore check current tournament documents before submitting or finalizing a deck rather than relying on an older list. RiftDaily's Riftbound rules guide covers the core rules, while Riot's official Rules Hub remains the authoritative source for current tournament policies and gameplay documents.
How to watch Riftbound RQ Los Angeles live
Official tournament coverage will run throughout the weekend for fans who cannot attend in person. Riot says the broadcast will be available through Riftbound's YouTube and Twitch channels.
The listed coverage start times are 10:00 AM PDT, 5:00 PM GMT, 6:00 PM CET and 1:00 AM SGT. Those are the times published by Riot for the event.
| Time zone | Riot's listed broadcast start |
|---|---|
| Pacific Daylight Time | 10:00 AM PDT |
| GMT | 5:00 PM GMT |
| CET | 6:00 PM CET |
| Singapore Time | 1:00 AM SGT |
The broadcast desk will feature Julian Carr, Alex Coccia, Silverfuse, Charm3r, Ursiiday and Barrett Bryant.
Live matches will be available through the official Riftbound YouTube presence and the Riftbound Twitch channel.
RiftboundOP will post results, brackets and deck techs
For faster tournament updates, @RiftboundOP on X will provide coverage throughout the weekend.
Riot says that coverage will include match results, bracket updates, player interviews, behind-the-scenes content and deck techs. The account also covers Riftbound Organized Play throughout the year, including Nexus Nights, the Summoner Skirmish Series, Regional Qualifiers, Regional Championships and Worlds.
Secret Garden Bundle costs $70 at RQ Los Angeles
The Secret Garden Bundle will be available at RQ Los Angeles for $70 in English. Purchases are limited to one bundle per event badge while supplies last.
The bundle contains:
- Three alternate-art cards: Ivern, Green Father; Lillia, Bashful Bloom; and Ultrasoft Poro
- Five alternate-art double-sided tokens
- Two sleeve packs
- Two full-art postcards
- Three Unleashed booster packs
Players should check the updated Riftbound Rules Hub
Riot is directing competitors to the updated Riftbound Rules Hub before Los Angeles. It contains the latest rules, regulations and gameplay systems, including information relevant to card interactions and tournament structure.
Players who need help with accounts, products or other game-related issues can also use the official Riftbound Support portal.
What happens after Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles?
Los Angeles ends the Vendetta Regional Qualifier season, but the 2026 competitive calendar continues with Regional Championships in Europe, North America and China. The Top 8 finishers at each Regional Championship earn invitations to Riftbound's first World Championship.
European Regional Championship in Stuttgart
The Riftbound European Regional Championship takes place November 6-8, 2026, at Messe Stuttgart in Stuttgart, Germany.
The championship uses the Standard format and includes Radiance. Players compete through six Swiss rounds on Friday, followed by six additional Swiss rounds for advancing competitors on Saturday. The Top 8 then moves into single-elimination play.
The European Regional Championship carries a $50,000 prize pool, including $10,000 for first place. The Top 8 also qualify for the first Riftbound World Championship.
North American Regional Championship in Las Vegas
The Riftbound North American Regional Championship follows from December 11-13, 2026, at the Las Vegas Convention Center as part of Convergence Fest.
The North American championship is also played in Standard with Radiance legal. Its format begins with six Swiss rounds on Friday, followed by another six on Saturday before the tournament moves into its elimination stage.
The event has a $50,000 prize pool and awards $10,000 to the champion. Top 8 competitors qualify for Worlds. Regional Championship competitors do not need to purchase a general event pass for the championship itself.
Convergence Fest will also include the TFT Vegas Open alongside Riftbound, plus additional side events, panels and other activities.
Los Angeles comes just before Riftbound's move into Radiance
The timing of RQ Los Angeles makes it a transition point for competitive Riftbound. Vendetta remains the focus of the qualifier itself, but the Radiance panel begins the next set's preview cycle during the same weekend.
Radiance is scheduled for release on October 23, 2026, after the Los Angeles reveals and October Pre-Rift events. It then becomes part of the Regional Championship environment in November and December.
For players following product timing alongside Organized Play, RiftDaily's Riftbound release date guide tracks the broader release schedule.
Riftbound Organized Play is changing in 2027
Los Angeles is also one of the last major events under the first version of Riftbound's Organized Play structure. Riot has outlined significant changes for 2027 in its August 2026 State of Play.
Regional Qualifiers are set to evolve into Riftbound Regionals, while Regional Championships will become Riftbound Continentals. Riot has also discussed the Challenge Series and Nexus Cup as part of the next competitive structure.
The changes put Los Angeles near the end of the current qualifier format before Riftbound's competitive circuit expands again in 2027.
PlayRiftbound.com is becoming the Organized Play home
Riot is also moving more of Riftbound Organized Play onto its own platform. PlayRiftbound.com began its Organized Play transition in September, with Riot IDs being used for features including event discovery, registration, pairings and results.
The initial rollout focuses on upcoming events such as Radiance Pre-Rift. Riot has also discussed expanded tournament organizer tools, improved 2v2 support, decklist creation and validation, and better card browsing as the platform develops.
Frequently asked questions about Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles
When is Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles?
Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles runs from September 25-27, 2026. Early badge collection and merchandise sales begin Thursday, September 24.
Where is Riftbound RQ Los Angeles being held?
The event is at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
What is the Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles prize pool?
RQ Los Angeles has a $25,000 cash prize pool. The champion receives $6,000, and cash payouts begin at Top 32.
What placement earns a Regional Championship invite?
Players who finish in the Top 64 at RQ Los Angeles earn a Regional Championship invitation. Invitations are not region-locked, so qualified players can choose Europe or North America. Players with multiple invitations can attend both.
When is the Riftbound Radiance developer panel?
The Radiance developer panel begins Friday at 3:00 PM PDT. It will open the Radiance preview season and reveal new cards from the upcoming set.
Can the Radiance panel be watched online?
Yes. Riot says the panel will be recorded and uploaded to Riftbound's YouTube channel after it concludes.
Where can I watch Riftbound RQ Los Angeles live?
Official coverage will be available through Riftbound's YouTube and Twitch channels. Riot lists the broadcast start at 10:00 AM PDT.
Which cards were banned before RQ Los Angeles?
Two cards were added to the Standard and Constructed 2v2 ban list effective September 18, 2026: Ekko, Recurrent and Stacked Deck.
How much does the Secret Garden Bundle cost at RQ Los Angeles?
The English Secret Garden Bundle costs $70. Purchases are limited to one bundle per event badge while supplies last.
Los Angeles closes the qualifier season and opens the Radiance era
Riftbound Regional Qualifier Los Angeles brings several major parts of the 2026 competitive season together in one weekend. There is $25,000 in cash on the line, the Top 64 earn Regional Championship invitations, exclusive Jayce and Best-Of rewards are available, and the final Vendetta Regional Qualifier trophy will be decided.
The event will also test Riot and UVS's promised operational improvements after concerns at recent qualifiers. Away from the tournament tables, Friday's Radiance developer panel begins the preview cycle for the next set, placing Los Angeles directly between the end of the qualifier season and the start of the championship stage.
After Los Angeles, competitive attention turns to the European Regional Championship in November and the North American Regional Championship in December, where Top 8 finishes lead to the first Riftbound World Championship.
