League of Legends (LoL) esports is introducing changes for the 2026 season, including the implementation of a new 'First Selection' system to enhance strategic diversity.

Following discussions with regional leagues, pro teams, and the gameplay team, the 'First Selection' system will be introduced across all professional LoL esports leagues starting in 2026.

The team that previously held side selection rights will now be granted 'First Selection'. The team with this right chooses between side selection (Red or Blue) or pick priority (first or second pick) during the ban-and-pick phase. If a team chooses their side, the opponent decides their pick priority, and vice versa.

Riot Games will apply this system globally at the start of the season, with the LCK implementing it starting from the 2026 LCK Cup. They plan to monitor performance and collect feedback throughout the 2026 season to evaluate its impact on competitive depth and balance.

Regional leagues will begin sequentially starting in mid-January. The LCK and LPL start on Wednesday the 14th, the LCP on Friday the 16th, the LEC and CBLOL on Saturday the 17th, and the LCS on Saturday the 24th.

The season’s first international event, the First Stand Tournament, will be held from March 16th (Wed) to 22nd (Sun) at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. Eight teams will compete—two each from the LCK and LPL, and one each from the LEC, LCS, CBLOL, and LCP—in a best-of-five format. The winning region will be granted a bye into the MSI Play-in stage.

Following the First Stand, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) is scheduled to be held in Daejeon, South Korea. Specific venue and further details will be announced at a later date.

The 2026 League of Legends World Championship will take place in North America, with the Play-in stage through the semi-finals held in Allen, Texas, and the finals in New York.

The third inductee into the Hall of Legends, which celebrates icons of LoL esports, will be revealed ahead of the 2026 World Championship. The Hall of Legends, established in 2024, previously honored LCK mid-laner 'Faker' Lee Sang-hyeok in 2024 and LPL bot-laner 'Uzi' Jian Zi-Hao in 2025.

Additionally, starting in 2026, regional split prize pools in Global Revenue Pool (GRP) regions will be removed, and the funds will be reinvested into more impactful areas as part of a plan to modernize the revenue structure. Prize money for international events like the First Stand, MSI, and the World Championship will continue to be funded through the GRP.

Meanwhile, the 2026 LCK Cup, marking the start of the season, will open on Wednesday the 14th.