Is 2026 China’s Year in League of Legends?

A Korean regression at the start of this year

Worlds 2023, MSI and Worlds 2024, First Stand 2025, MSI and Worlds 2025. Every one of these tournaments shares one thing in common: they were all won by Korean teams. Hanwha Life Esports, Gen.G, and T1 have taken turns at the top, establishing an unmatched period of dominance. The last time the LPL lifted an international trophy dates back to MSI 2023, won by JD Gaming’s super roster.

This victory for BLG therefore ends several years of drought, though the LPL’s drought at Worlds stretches back much further—specifically to 2021, when EDward Gaming shut down DWG KIA in the final after eliminating Gen.G in the semifinals.

At the start of this year, the LCK hadn’t looked this vulnerable in a long time. The way Gen.G fell to the Samurai was a true shock to the esports world, and the second seed, BNK FEARX, didn’t even make it out of the group stage. The very same team that had taken down the three-time world champions T1 and eliminated Dplus KIA in the LCK Cup looked like a shadow of itself in its first international appearance.

An opening… or not quite?

This underperformance from Korea on the international stage raises the question of whether the LPL can capitalize on this opening. The reality, however, is far more complex than it seems. Questions have often been raised about how seriously LCK teams approached this winter split, whether justified or not. It’s clear that the LCK Cup not counting towards the rest of the LCK season reduces the overall stakes, and with them, perhaps the intensity.

On top of that comes the infamous “T1 at Worlds” clutch factor. Over the past few years, we’ve seen multiple teams enter the tournament as clear favorites, JDG in 2023, BLG in 2024, or Gen.G over the last two years. All of these rosters looked stronger on paper than T1, whose LCK seasons were often underwhelming. Yet, time and time again, the stars keep piling up on Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok’s jersey, and T1’s trophy cabinet keeps filling to the brim.

Adding to that is the G2 threat. Europe’s representatives have just restored some pride to a region long tarnished by early exits and disappointing performances, making a statement with their victory over Gen.G, as if to say they are very much here to compete. Karmine Corp’s ambitions are also well known; they, too, could very well create a surprise if they manage to reach international events.