League of Legends World Championship 2026 to Take Place in Texas and New York
Riot Games announced that the 2026 League of Legends World Championship will be held across two major U.S. locations: Texas and New York City. This marks the first time since 2022 that the tournament returns to North America.
Event Venues and Tournament Structure
Allen, Texas, will host the Play-In, Swiss stage, and Playoffs, while New York City will be the site for the Grand Final. Specific venues for each phase have not yet been disclosed.
This is the first multi-city Worlds event in three years outside of the pandemic period. In 2023, the tournament phases took place in the South Korean cities of Busan and Seoul.
Additional 2026 International Event: First Stand
Riot Games also revealed details for the second edition of First Stand, the first major international event of the 2026 season. Scheduled from March 16th to 22nd, First Stand will be held in São Paulo, Brazil.
- Team count will increase from six to eight.
- Matches will follow a best-of-five format throughout the tournament.
São Paulo has a history of hosting League of Legends esports events, making it a familiar location for the community.
"Allen, Texas will play host to the Play-In, Swiss stage, and the Playoffs. New York City will host the Grand Final."
"First Stand 2026 heads to São Paulo, Brazil, with an increase in competing teams from six to eight and best-of-five matches."
Author's summary: The 2026 League of Legends World Championship returns to North America, splitting the event between Texas and New York, while First Stand introduces expanded teams in São Paulo, Brazil.