LPL Split 1 2026 unveils new format with revamped groups phase

Here is everything you need to know about the LPL Split 1, the first competition to kick off the 2026 esports season. With a total of 14 teams and two spots up for grabs for the first international tournament of the year, First Stand, the LPL will have a new format as well as a revised championship points system.

LPL Split 1 Format Explained

The LPL has been looking for ways to shake things up with the formats while also rewarding top-performing teams that are consistently competing for the top spots. As a result, the league will keep using the group stage for Split 1, using three different groups: the top six for group Ascend, followed by four teams in the Perseverance group, and the last four in the Nirvana Group. All teams have been seeded based on the results from last year’s Split 3 results.

• Group Ascend: Anyone’s Legend, Bilibili Gaming, Invictus Gaming, JD Gaming, Top Esports, and Weibo Gaming.
• Group Perseverance: EDward Gaming, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Team WE, and ThunderTalk Gaming.
• Group Nirvana: LGD Gaming, LNG Esports, Oh My God, Ultra Prime.

The three groups will have double round robins featuring Bo3 matches. The top four teams from group Ascend will qualify directly for the playoff bracket stage, while the bottom two will join the four teams from the Perseverance group and the top two teams from the Nirvana group in the Knights Rivals stage. The bottom two teams in Group Nirvana will be eliminated.

LPL 2026 format & schedule update🧵

TLDR
Only 14 teams now
🆕Group S A B in Split 1
🆕More series between bottom teams in higher group vs top teams in lower group
🆕Split 1 weighs A LOT more in champ points
🆕Player of the series pic.twitter.com/yqlMiG0aSh

— Yuuu (LPL back on 1.14) (@tttttyuc) January 3, 2026

In the Knights Rivals stage, the eight teams will compete in a hybrid elimination bracket, where the two teams from group Ascend will face the top two teams from Perseverance group for a single Bo5 series. The two winners will advance to the playoff stage, while the losing teams will fall in the lower bracket with the other teams for another chance to qualify in the top eight.

Once the eight playoff teams are determined, there will be a double-elimination playoff bracket, which will decide the two teams heading to São Paulo, Brazil, for First Stand. Based on the seeding from group Ascend, the top teams will be able to decide their opponents in the first round. All series will continue to use the Fearless Draft format.

LPL Split 1 Schedule and Championship Points Distribution

Riot Games also unveiled the full schedule for the group phase, which will take place across four weeks from January 14 to February 6, and Knights Rivals, which will be held between February 9 and 11.  Playoffs are expected to take place shortly after, although the LPL may have a brief break for Chinese New Year, which begins on Tuesday, February 17.

Compared to previous years, the LPL Split 1 will grant more Championship points, with the first and second place earning 80 and 50 points, respectively, as opposed to the 20 and 15 from 2025. The points awarded in the first split are as follows:

1. 80 points
2. 50 points
3. 40 points
4. 20 points
5. 10 points
6. 10 points
7. 5 points
8. 5 points

Where to watch LPL Split 1 2026

To watch all the LPL action, you can watch games live on the mainstream Chinese platforms such as Bilibili and Huya. For English commentary, you can head over to the LPLEnglish channel. Korean commentary will also be available on SOOP.