MSI 2026 Heads to Daejeon, Schedule and Location Confirmed

With First Stand coming to an end, Riot Games has confirmed major details for the upcoming international tournament on the calendar, MSI 2026.

MSI 2026 Heads to Daejeon, South Korea

The event has been confirmed to take place at the Daejeon Convention Center, with an estimated capacity of 8,000 people. This marks the first time a LoL Esports event takes place in Daejeon. Previously, Riot Games hosted the Daejeon VALORANT Invitational back in 2022, in an off-season event.

MSI Schedule

The tournament will kick off on June 28 with the start of the play-ins stage, followed by the Bracket stage. The schedule will be as follows:

• Play-In Stage: June 28–July 1
• Bracket Stage: July 3–6 and July 8–12
• Upper Final: July 9
• Lower Final: July 11
• Grand Finals: July 12

MSI Format Updated

While the bracket stage for MSI will be the same as the previous year, Riot Games also unveiled changes to the play-in stage. This year, this phase will feature a 4-team Double-Elimination Bracket that will qualify a single team into the Bracket Stage.

The 7 teams that go straight to the Bracket stage will be the #1 seeds from each of the regions, as well as the second seed of the highest ranking two-seed region from First Stand (LEC or LPL). As a result, MSI will have

• 2 Teams each from LCK, LCS, LCP, LEC, and LPL (10 total)
• 1 team from CBLOL

Just like last year, the winner of MSI 2026 will gain direct qualification to Worlds 2026 (team must qualify for season end playoffs).

Ticket Sales Information

Tickets for MSI 2026 will be released in waves through Interpark. For Mastercard holders, fans will be eligible for presale tickets on April 21, the same date for the South Korea ticket sales (Korean SSN will be required). A passport will be required for global fans. General sale will be on April 23.