Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 LoL preview: Teams, format, favorites, and more

Naerlyn Published July 15, 2026

With the conclusion of the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational, the next step for LoL pro teams is the Esports World Cup. Most of the familiar MSI attendees return, plus a few representatives. Those 16 teams will compete from July 15 to 19 for a prize pool of $2 million.

The 16 Esports World Cup LoL teams

The Esports World Cup LoL teams are:

• LCK #1: Hanwha Life Esports
• LCK #2: Gen.G
• LCK #3: T1
• LCK #4: Dplus KIA
• LPL #1: Bilibili Gaming
• LPL #2: Anyone’s Legend
• LPL #3: JD Gaming
• LEC #1: G2 Esports
• LEC #2: Karmine Corp
• LEC #3: Movistar KOI
• LCS #1: LYON
• LCS #2: Sentinels
• LCP #1: Team Secret Whales
• LCP #2: GAM Esports
• CBLOL #1: FURIA
• CBLOL #2: LØS

Esports World Cup LoL odds

Odds courtesy of GG.Bet, on June 15, 4am CEST. 

Esports World Cup LoL schedule

• July 15: Group Stage, round 1 (12 matches)
• July 16: Group Stage, round 2 (eight matches)
• July 17: Quarterfinals
• July 18: Semifinals
• July 19: Third place match and grand final

Esports World Cup LoL format

The EWC LoL format is a Group Stage into Knockout Stage. All matches are played at the Paris Expo in Paris, France.

Group Stage

• The 16 teams are seeded into four groups of four.
• Each group plays a double elimination bracket where the two winners of round 2 qualify for the Knockout Stage.
• Upper bracket matches are best-of-one, lower bracket matches are best-of-three.

Knockout Stage

• The Knockout Stage is a single elimination bracket with a third place match.
• The grand final is a best-of-five, every other match is a best-of-three.

Esports World Cup: LoL teams and favorites. Image credit: Esports Foundation

Esports World Cup: Who are the favorites in LoL?

The three obvious favorites to win the LoL EWC are Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports, and Bilibili Gaming. BLG had an excellent first half to the year, dominating everything they played. At First Stand, G2 Esports arguably spared them some rough opponents. Then though, they were unstoppable in the LPL Split 2 and at MSI.

Until HLE beat them out of nowhere in the grand final. Hanwha Life Esports had shown very poor form in their first match and then again against LYON. Afterwards, they suddenly bounced back and beat BLG in one of the most action-packed series in LoL Esports international history.

Given how close these two teams were just three days ago, they’re the favorites this week as well. However, joining them is Gen.G.

Gen.G had been on top of the LoL Esports scene since 2024, with a power level that just kept on growing. Then, G2 happened, and they were out of First Stand. Gen.G bounced back in Spring, but T1 managed to beat them 3-2 to make them miss MSI. Despite these shortcomings, they’re still one of the best teams in the world, and will give BLG and HLE a run for their money.

The chance for upsets: Jet lag and best-of-ones

By default, Gen.G is at least at the level of BLG and HLE. Then comes the scheduling aspect. BLG and HLE were in South Korea on Sunday, and now have to play in Paris three days later. The fatigue will put them at a clear disadvantage (as well as the other MSI attendees to a lesser extent), while Gen.G had a full month to rest.

On top of this, the Group Stage is highly volatile. With Bo1s for the first match, most of the high-profile candidates could realistically lose. Afterwards, it’s two Bo3s, and losing either of them means an end to the run.

While Gen.G and BLG should realistically be safe, G2, AL, T1, and HLE could each look at an early exit before the Knockout Stage. In the end, BLG and Gen.G are the two most logical favorites, with HLE just behind. Following them, G2, AL, and T1 are the EWC dark horses.

Featured image credit: Esports Foundation