Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 is where things start getting interesting. With the Swiss Stage beginning on October 23, 16 teams are fighting for eight places in the Knockout Stage, and picking those eight teams correctly is easier said than done. Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports, Bilibili Gaming and T1 are among the favourites, but a bad draw or one unexpected loss can quickly turn a safe-looking prediction into a disaster.
For our Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 guide, we're backing Gen.G to go 3-0, Hanwha Life Esports to qualify 3-1 and TOP Esports to survive a tougher route with a 3-2 record. Our other picks are Bilibili Gaming, T1, Anyone's Legend, Dplus KIA and G2 Esports. Here's why we like those teams, which underdogs could cause trouble, and what you can earn from the official Pick'Ems rewards.
Worlds Pick'Ems 2026: Swiss Stage dates and format
The Swiss Stage runs from October 23 to October 31. Win three matches and you qualify for the Knockout Stage. Lose three and your Worlds run is over.
The draw can make or break a team's run, and one early upset can completely change who they face next. The first round is best-of-one, so anything can happen. Once teams reach the matches that decide who advances or goes home, it's best-of-three.
| Worlds 2026 stage | Dates | Pick'Ems deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Play-Ins | October 15-18 | October 15, before the first match |
| Swiss Stage | October 23-31 | October 23, before the first match |
| Knockout Stage | November 3-14 | November 3, before the first match |
| Worlds Final | November 14 | Final Pick'Ems scoring follows the tournament |
Swiss picks opened on October 18 and lock before the first match on October 23. Make sure you submit your choices before the deadline on the official Worlds 2026 Pick'Ems page. You can also access Pick'Ems through the League of Legends client.
One thing worth remembering: predicting the eight teams that advance and predicting their exact records are two different challenges. You might be completely right about a team qualifying and still miss the record-specific prediction because it loses one unexpected game along the way.
Our Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 Swiss Stage picks
We're not going to pretend there's a perfect formula for Swiss Pick'Ems. The strongest teams can still get awkward draws, and best-of-one games leave plenty of room for surprises. Our approach is to trust the teams with the strongest overall cases, then take a calculated gamble with the record-specific picks.
| Pick | Team | Predicted result | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gen.G | 3-0 | Our favourite for an undefeated run |
| 2 | Hanwha Life Esports | 3-1 | Strong enough to qualify, but faces a tough opening test |
| 3 | TOP Esports | 3-2 | A risky pick with enough quality to recover |
| 4 | Bilibili Gaming | Qualifies | Too much individual talent to leave out |
| 5 | T1 | Qualifies | International experience and a high ceiling |
| 6 | Anyone's Legend | Qualifies | A serious contender after a strong domestic season |
| 7 | Dplus KIA | Qualifies | Volatile, but capable of beating strong opponents |
| 8 | G2 Esports | Qualifies | Our Western pick that should make it out |
These are our predictions, not guarantees. Gen.G is our preferred 3-0 choice, but even the best team in the tournament can drop a game. HLE's opening matchup makes us more comfortable putting it at 3-1, while TES is our bet to take the longer road to qualification.
Gen.G to go 3-0
If we have to choose one team to get through Swiss without losing, it's Gen.G. The Korean side beat Hanwha Life Esports 3-1 in the LCK Summer final, giving us a strong recent reason to trust it against the best teams in the region.
Gen.G's strength is that it rarely needs to win through chaos. Its structured approach and quality across the roster give it a solid foundation, which is exactly what you want when trying to predict three wins in a row.
There is a catch, of course. Gen.G opens against Invictus Gaming, a team capable of making life uncomfortable for anyone. If Gen.G wins, it moves into the 1-0 pool, where its next opponent will depend on the other results. One difficult draw could be enough to ruin the perfect record.
Our pick: Gen.G 3-0. It's the team we'd trust most for the undefeated slot, even though a 3-1 finish would hardly be a shock.
Hanwha Life Esports to go 3-1
We're putting HLE in our eight, but going 3-0 might be asking a bit too much. They proved they can beat the best with their MSI 2026 win over BLG, taking the final 3-2. Gen.G had the upper hand in the LCK Summer final, though, winning 3-1. That gives Gen.G the edge in our Pickems, but don't count HLE out. They have the quality to go far at Worlds.
The opening match against TOP Esports is another reason to be cautious. TES has enough talent to make this a difficult series, and a loss would immediately put HLE on a less comfortable route through Swiss.
Still, HLE has shown it can beat elite opposition over a full series. We expect it to take a loss somewhere along the way, regroup and qualify without needing all five rounds.
Our pick: Hanwha Life Esports 3-1. It feels like a sensible middle ground between backing HLE to advance and expecting a flawless run.
TOP Esports to go 3-2
TOP Esports is the gamble in our record predictions. The team has the individual quality to beat top opposition, but its opening match against HLE is about as awkward as it gets. Furthermore, their original top laner is not competing due to visa issues. Lose that game and TES will have to fight its way back through the 0-1 pool.
That is exactly why we're considering TES for 3-2 rather than a cleaner record. A difficult start doesn't automatically mean elimination, and the best-of-three matches later in Swiss give teams a chance to recover and show their real level.
It's not a safe pick. If TES loses early and then draws another top team, this prediction could fall apart quickly. But among the teams that might have to take the long route, TES has enough upside to make the gamble worthwhile.
Our pick: TOP Esports 3-2. If you would rather back a Western team for this slot, Team Liquid is the alternative we'd consider first.
Which teams will qualify for the Worlds 2026 Knockout Stage?
The other five spots are where Pick'Ems gets interesting. We feel good about BLG and T1, like what Anyone's Legend brings to the table, and are willing to take a chance on DK and G2. Here's the case for each team, including what could go wrong.
Bilibili Gaming: Too strong to leave out
BLG is one of those teams that can make a deep run even when it isn't the clear favourite. The roster has the individual quality to challenge the best teams in the world, and its recent results show that it belongs in the conversation.
That doesn't mean BLG is unbeatable. HLE beat it in the MSI final, and Anyone's Legend defeated it in the LPL Split 3 final. Those losses are a reminder that the gap between the top Chinese and Korean teams is not always very large.
We still want BLG in our eight. Leaving it out would be a bigger gamble than backing it to qualify, particularly when the team has the tools to win best-of-three series and recover from a rough opening game.
Our pick: Bilibili Gaming to qualify. We like its chances of reaching the Knockout Stage, but prefer Gen.G for the 3-0 slot.
T1: Never comfortable to play against
T1 is hard to ignore in a Worlds prediction. International experience matters, especially when the tournament format forces teams to adapt quickly and every defeat puts more pressure on the next match.
Of course, reputation alone doesn't win games. T1 still has to prove it can execute against the best teams in this field. Its opening match against LOS should give us an early indication of how well it has settled into the tournament.
We're backing T1 because we trust its ability to respond when the pressure rises. It might not have the easiest route, but we would rather include it than gamble on a less proven qualifier.
Our pick: T1 to advance to the Knockout Stage.
Anyone's Legend: A serious contender, not just a dark horse
Anyone's Legend deserves more credit than the usual underdog label. The team won the LPL Split 3 title after beating Bilibili Gaming 3-1 in the final, showing that it can go toe-to-toe with one of China's strongest rosters.
What makes AL particularly interesting is how it responded to adversity during that playoff run. After losing 0-3 to BLG in the upper-bracket final, it fought through the lower bracket, beat Invictus Gaming 3-2 and then returned to defeat BLG in the final.
That doesn't guarantee anything at Worlds, but it gives us a good reason to trust AL in a format where teams need to bounce back from defeats. Its first opponent is Karmine Corp, and a win there would be a useful start.
Our pick: Anyone's Legend to qualify. If you want to take a bigger risk with one of the record-specific slots, AL is also worth considering for 3-1.
Dplus KIA: The team that could make us look clever or foolish
Dplus KIA is not the team we'd pick if we wanted to eliminate every bit of risk. The potential is there, but its route through Swiss could be uncomfortable, and the opening match against G2 Esports is a tough one to call.
A win would put DK in a good position to build momentum. A loss would leave it needing to recover against another team that has already dropped a game. Neither outcome would decide its tournament, but the first result could shape the rest of the run.
We're including DK because it has enough quality to win against strong opponents. We just wouldn't be surprised if it needs all five rounds to get through.
Our pick: Dplus KIA to qualify, with less confidence than our four leading choices.
G2 Esports: Our Western gamble
G2 is our final pick, and probably the one that will divide opinions the most. The European team won the LEC Summer Playoffs, but the international stage is a different test. The question is whether G2 can turn its regional form into consistent wins against the best Korean and Chinese teams.
The opening match against Dplus KIA is a big one. Win it and G2 gets an early boost. Lose it and the team has to navigate the 0-1 pool, where another difficult opponent could make the road to qualification much harder.
We're taking G2 because we believe it has the experience and individual skill to get through. It is a gamble, though, and Team Liquid is the first team we'd consider if you don't trust G2's chances.
Our pick: G2 Esports to advance. It isn't a safe bet, but it's a risk we're willing to take.
Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 dark horses and upset picks
Not everyone needs to make the main eight in our predictions to be worth watching. Some teams have a real chance of upsetting a favourite, and others could become serious qualification candidates if they start with a win. These are the teams we'd keep an eye on before locking in our final picks.
Team Liquid Alienware
Team Liquid is our strongest alternative to G2 or DK. It opens against CTBC Flying Oyster, which gives it a chance to start 1-0, but CFO is not a team we would write off.
TL is an interesting pick because Western teams can be difficult to predict at Worlds. If it wins the opening match, the team gets a chance to build momentum. If it loses, it will have to work through a more demanding route, and the margin for error becomes smaller.
Pick'Ems verdict: Team Liquid is a credible alternative for the 3-2 slot or the final qualification place. We would consider it if we wanted to replace G2 with a different Western team.
Invictus Gaming
IG has the talent to cause an upset, but opening against Gen.G is a brutal way to start the tournament. If IG wins, it immediately becomes one of the biggest stories of the first round. If it loses, it has to find a way back through the 0-1 pool.
We like IG as a team to watch, rather than a safe qualifier. Backing it to advance means believing it can deliver several strong performances, not just one surprise win.
Pick'Ems verdict: A high-risk choice for anyone who expects an early upset. We'd keep IG outside our main eight.
Karmine Corp
Karmine Corp earned its Swiss Stage place with a 3-0 win over MVK Esports in the Play-In qualification match. That is a good result, but the Swiss Stage will test KC against a much deeper field.
Its opening opponent is Anyone's Legend, which makes the first game a difficult one. KC can certainly cause problems, but AL's domestic results give us more confidence in the Chinese team over the course of Swiss.
Pick'Ems verdict: KC is an upset candidate, not one of our main qualification picks.
LYON and Team Secret Whales
LYON and Team Secret Whales are two more teams worth keeping on your radar. Their opening match against each other means one of them will get an early chance to build momentum, while the loser will need to recover.
We would need to see a strong performance before backing either team over the likes of BLG, T1 or Anyone's Legend. Still, if you're looking for a less conventional Pick'Ems entry, these are the kinds of teams that could make a difference if they exceed expectations.
Pick'Ems verdict: Keep both on your watchlist, but don't force them into your eight unless you have a strong reason to believe they can win three matches.
Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage opening matchups and predictions
The first round gives us the initial clues about how the Swiss Stage might unfold. These are the scheduled opening matchups and our lean for each one. They're predictions, not confirmed results, and the best-of-one format leaves plenty of room for surprises.
| Opening match | Our pick | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Gen.G vs Invictus Gaming | Gen.G | Our 3-0 prediction starts here |
| Hanwha Life Esports vs TOP Esports | HLE | Could put TES on the longer route to qualification |
| Bilibili Gaming vs Movistar KOI | BLG | A win would support our BLG qualification pick |
| Anyone's Legend vs Karmine Corp | Anyone's Legend | A chance for AL to start strongly |
| G2 Esports vs Dplus KIA | Slight lean to G2 | One of the toughest opening games to call |
| Team Liquid Alienware vs CTBC Flying Oyster | Slight lean to Team Liquid | Could shape the final qualification race |
| LOS vs T1 | T1 | A strong start matters for T1's qualification chances |
| Team Secret Whales vs LYON | Close matchup | A chance for either team to become an early surprise |
Don't panic if one of your picks loses early. A favourite can still bounce back and qualify, just like an underdog can win its first game and still fall short. Teams need three wins to advance, so there's plenty of room for things to change. Keep that in mind before locking in your final eight.
All Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 rewards and tiers
There is more to Pick'Ems than getting bragging rights over your friends. Riot is offering rewards based on how well you predict the tournament, with the biggest prize reserved for players who manage a perfect score.
The official Worlds 2026 Pick'Ems page lists rewards for participation, Top 50%, Top 25%, Top 5,000 and Perfect Pick'Ems. The rewards below are for the main Pick'Ems challenge, not the separate Crystal Ball event.
Participation: Laying It Down emote
You don't need to finish near the top of the leaderboard to get something out of Pick'Ems. The participation tier features the Laying It Down emote, making it worth submitting your predictions even if you're not confident about every matchup.
Top 50%: Groovy Pup icon
Finish in the top half of the leaderboard and you'll reach the Top 50% tier, which rewards the Groovy Pup icon. This is a more attainable target than the highest tiers, although your final placement will depend on how accurately you predict the tournament.
Top 25%: Spicy Dog emote
The next milestone is the top quarter of the leaderboard. The reward is the Spicy Dog emote. If you're hoping to reach this tier, consistency across the tournament matters more than getting one big prediction right.
Top 5,000: True Damage Yasuo skin and champion
The Top 5,000 tier is where the competition gets serious. Players who finish among the top 5,000 entries are eligible for the True Damage Yasuo skin and Yasuo champion, according to the official reward panel.
Perfect Pick'Ems: All Ultimate skins
The biggest reward is reserved for a perfect Pick'Ems result. Riot lists all Ultimate skins as the headline prize, alongside the associated champions and the lower-tier rewards.
It's an enormous prize, but getting every prediction right is a different challenge from simply picking the eight teams that advance. One unexpected upset can ruin an otherwise excellent entry, so don't be surprised if even experienced players fall short.
| Reward tier | Requirement | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Submit Pick'Ems selections | Laying It Down emote |
| Top 50% | Finish in the top half | Groovy Pup icon |
| Top 25% | Finish in the top quarter | Spicy Dog emote |
| Top 5,000 | Finish among the top 5,000 entries | True Damage Yasuo skin and champion |
| Perfect | Achieve a perfect Pick'Ems result | All Ultimate skins and associated champions, plus lower-tier rewards |
Reward eligibility can depend on regional availability and account requirements. Check the official Worlds Pick'Ems rewards page for the current terms and reward artwork before making assumptions about eligibility.
Riot's Worlds 2026 announcement says Pick'Ems scores will be finalised after the World Final on November 14, with rewards targeted for distribution within 48 hours. If you believe you've qualified but haven't received your reward by November 21, Riot advises contacting Player Support.
Worlds Pick'Ems and Crystal Ball: What's the difference?
Crystal Ball is a separate prediction challenge that focuses on tournament-wide outcomes and trends rather than just choosing which teams advance. It has its own questions, scoring and rewards.
If you're playing both, make sure you submit the relevant predictions for each challenge. Completing your Swiss Stage Pick'Ems does not mean you've automatically completed Crystal Ball, and their reward tiers should be treated separately.
You can check the live event information and available predictions on the official LoL Esports Pick'Ems page.
Photos by Jianhua Chen/Riot Games.
Frequently asked questions about Worlds Pick'Ems 2026
When do Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 Swiss picks lock?
Swiss Stage Pickems close on October 23, 2026, just before the first match begins. Make sure you lock in your predictions before the timer runs out on the official Pickems page.
How many teams do you need to pick?
You'll need to choose eight teams you think will reach the Knockout Stage. On top of that, you have to predict which teams will finish 3-0, 3-1 and 3-2. Getting the right teams is one thing, but guessing their exact records is where things get tricky.
Who is the best 3-0 pick for Worlds 2026?
Our pick is Gen.G. Its recent domestic results make it a strong candidate, but the opening match against Invictus Gaming and the subsequent draw mean an undefeated run is far from guaranteed.
Which teams are the biggest dark horses?
We would keep Team Liquid, TOP Esports, Invictus Gaming and Karmine Corp on the radar. Each has a possible route to surprise stronger opponents, but we prefer the established favourites for the safest qualification predictions.
What is our 3-2 Swiss Stage prediction?
We are backing TOP Esports to qualify 3-2. Its opening match against HLE could make the route difficult, but TES has enough individual quality to recover. Team Liquid is our alternative if you prefer a Western team.
What rewards can you get from Worlds Pick'Ems 2026?
The official reward ladder includes the Laying It Down emote for participation, Groovy Pup icon for Top 50%, Spicy Dog emote for Top 25%, True Damage Yasuo skin and champion for Top 5,000, and all Ultimate skins for a perfect result.
Do you need a perfect score to earn Pick'Ems rewards?
No. The reward ladder has several tiers below Perfect Pick'Ems, including participation, Top 50%, Top 25% and Top 5,000. Your reward depends on the tier you reach and the applicable eligibility rules.
Where can you submit your Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 predictions?
You can submit your predictions on the official LoL Esports Pick'Ems website or through the League of Legends client.
Our final Worlds Pick'Ems 2026 predictions
Our final eight are Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports, TOP Esports, Bilibili Gaming, T1, Anyone's Legend, Dplus KIA and G2 Esports. We have Gen.G going 3-0, HLE qualifying 3-1 and TES taking the more difficult 3-2 route.
The picks we're least certain about are TOP Esports, Dplus KIA and G2. They all have the quality to advance, but their routes could get complicated quickly. Team Liquid is our first alternative if you want to change one of those selections.
Most importantly, don't treat Swiss Pick'Ems like a simple ranking of the best teams. The draw matters, best-of-one matches can get messy, and even a strong favourite can end up fighting for its tournament life. Make your picks, keep an eye on the opening results and enjoy the chaos that makes Worlds so much fun.
For more coverage as the tournament unfolds, visit RiftDaily's Worlds coverage, explore our latest esports news and catch up on the biggest stories in gaming news.
