The Worlds 2026 location has finally been revealed — and it’s not the only big announcement shaking up the League of Legends competitive scene.
Alongside the unveiling of the next Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and LoL World Championship locations, Riot Games has also made major changes to First Stand Tournament (FST) format that changes the playing field.
Here’s everything you need to know about where the next global battles will unfold and how the format changes could impact the future of LoL esports.
Worlds 2026 location, MSI 2026 location, and FST changes revealed
First Stand debuted in 2025 as the third international LoL esports tournament of the calendar year that takes place between the first and second splits. The inaugural tournament was held from March 10 to 16, 2025 in LoL Park, Seoul, South Korea.
According to Riot, First Stand was created in response to fan feedback — specifically from those who wanted to see more regional rivalries and matches that evoke geographic pride. Before this, fans could only enjoy top-tier international clashes during the playoffs at MSI and Worlds, which together amount to just around 20 matches a year.
A total of five teams, one from each region — LCK, LPL, LEC, Americas, and APAC — competed in a single round robin group stage and a single elimination knockout stage. LCK representatives Hanwha Life Esports were crowned First Stand 2025 champions, while Karmine Corp took second place, and CBTC Oyster and Top Esports tied in 3rd/4th.
For First Stand 2026, the number of qualifying teams has been increased to eight. What’s more, all matches played throughout the tournament will be best-of-fives, implying that single round robin has been scrapped. At the time of writing, Riot has yet to reveal more details about the tournament format.
| LOL ESPORTS TOURNAMENT | LOCATION |
| First Stand 2026 | Sao Paulo, Brazil |
| MSI 2026 | Daejeon, South Korea |
| Worlds 2026 | Allen, Texas New York City |
MSI 2026 takes place in Daejeon, a major city in central South Korea. It is the country’s hub for science and technology, home to research institutes like KAIST and the Daedeok Innopolis, which drive innovation and development.
Worlds 2026 heads back to the U.S., which last hosted in 2022 when DRX won their first-ever world championship in the most nail-biting best-of-five Worlds grand final of all time at the Chase Center in San Francisco. New York played host to the Group Stage and quarterfinals that year.
The Worlds 2026 Play-Ins and Swiss Stage are both likely to take place in Allen, Texas, a suburb located north of Dallas that’s recognized for its sports culture, parks, and entertainment spaces, while New York plays host to the grand final.
Worlds, MSI, and now First Stand tournaments, traditionally rotate between different countries each year, giving fans around the globe a chance to experience League of Legends’ biggest stages firsthand. This rotation system not only highlights the international nature of LoL Esports but also brings the excitement of live competition to diverse regions.
By rotating hosts, Riot Games ensures that each tournament reflects local culture and fan energy, creating unique atmospheres and unforgettable moments wherever the Summoner’s Rift goes next.
