LEC Spring Split 2026 playoffs betting preview: Odds and favorites

Naerlyn Published May 22, 2026

The regular season of the LEC Spring Split 2026 is over, and six teams are left for playoffs. For once, there’s no telling who the favorite is. G2 Esports beat Karmine Corp, who beat Movistar KOI, who beat G2, and there’s Team Vitality somewhere up there as well.

Starting May 23, the six best LEC teams will battle over two weeks to claim the two European spots to the Mid-Season Invitational, as well as the second Esports World Cup spot. Find out all about the last phase of this tournament as well as our favorites analysis in this LEC Spring Split 2026 playoffs betting preview.

LEC Spring Split 2026 playoffs odds

Odds courtesy of Stake.com, on May 16, 7pm CEST.

Six playoffs teams remaining

The LEC Spring 2026 playoffs teams (with regular season wins-losses) are:

• 1. Team Vitality (8-1)
• 2. Karmine Corp (7-2)
• 3. G2 Esports (6-3)
• 4. Movistar KOI (6-3)
• 5. Natus Vincere (6-3)
• 6. GIANTX (5-4)

The standings at the end of the LEC Spring Split regular season. Image source: Riot Games

Playoffs schedule and first matches

• May 23: Round 1 upper bracket match 1 (KC vs G2)
• May 24: Round 1 upper bracket match 2 (VIT vs MKOI)
• May 25: Upper bracket finals (First MSI qualification match)
• May 30: Round 1 lower bracket match 1
• May 31: Round 1 lower bracket match 2
• June 1: Round 2 lower bracket
• June 6: Lower bracket finals (Second MSI qualification match)
• June 7: Grand finals

The schedule for the LEC Spring Split playoffs. Image source: Riot Games

Playoffs format

• The LEC Spring Split playoffs is a double-elimination bracket among the remaining six teams.
• The top four teams start in the upper bracket, the remaining two in the lower bracket.
• All matches are Best of 5s and will be played in the LEC Arena in Berlin.

The two finalists will represent Europe at the Mid-Season Invitational 2026, starting June 28 in Daejeon, South Korea. The winner will also play in the Esports World Cup from July 15.

LEC Spring Split playoffs: Who are the favorites?

Team Vitality came first at the end of the regular season with a score of 8-1, losing only to Karmine Corp. However, in the LEC Versus, they did almost as well at first before losing right away in the playoffs.

After them come the usual big three names in the LEC. KC, G2, and MKOI are once again there as the candidates to take the trophy. KC made it through all but the final week undefeated, before dropping matches to G2 and GX.

G2 started the split poorly, even being the only top six team to lose to a low-placed opponent. Like every other First Stand participant, they took a while to get going, and only went back late into their role as a powerhouse.

If we look at the previous splits, G2 should be the favorite. Even if they scrape by into the playoffs, that’s where they always fully wake up. The problem with this statement is that KC and VIT both look stronger this split.

VIT comes into the bracket as a fully unknown quantity, and KC as another potential favorite. Besides them, MKOI also has what it takes to eliminate a contender and take their place.

In short: 

• G2 is the favorite to win the tournament, followed very closely by KC.
• MKOI is unlikely to win, but they could very well eliminate a favorite and finish second.
• VIT has always underperformed in playoffs, but we never know when that could change.

Featured image source: Hara Amorós / Riot Games