LoL Worlds 2026 schedule and key dates: When to watch Worlds

Naerlyn Published October 7, 2026

The 2026 League of Legends World Championship starts on October 15 for four weeks of competition. As the most important LoL tournament and esports event of the year, you don’t want to miss it. Here’s the 2026 LoL Worlds schedule to keep you up to date.

LoL Worlds 2026 Schedule

The League of Legends World Championship begins on October 15 and concludes on November 14. The tournament goes through three stages over these four weeks: the Play-in Stage, the Swiss Stage, and the Knockout Stage.

Play-in draw show

The play-in draw show will take place on October 10. After the CBLOL grand final concludes (exact time therefore unknown) and the last bit of seeding is done, the match-ups for the first bracket will be drawn. October 10 is also when LoL Worlds betting sites will start offering fixtures.

LoL Worlds 2026 schedule: Starting times. Image Credit: Riot Games

Play-in Stage

The play-in Stage begins on October 15. The first match always begins at 2pm EST / 8pm CEST. Whenever there are two best-of-fives in a day, the second one goes right after. Here are the LoL Worlds 2026 dates for the Play-in Stage.

• Thursday, October 15: Round 1 upper bracket, matches 1 and 2
• Friday, October 16: Round 2 upper bracket, round 1 lower bracket
• Saturday, October 17: Round 2 lower bracket
• Sunday, October 18: Qualification match

Swiss Stage

The Swiss Stage runs from October 23 to November 1. Here is the LoL Worlds 2026 schedule for the main event. All qualification and elimination matches are best-of-threes, and all other matches are best-of-ones.

• Friday, October 23: Round 1, starting at 1pm EST / 7pm CEST (all eight matches)
• Saturday, October 24: Round 2, starting at 1pm EST / 7pm CEST (all eight matches)
• Sunday, October 25: Round 3, day 1, starting at 1pm EST / 6pm CEST (2-0 and two 1-1 matches)
• Monday, October 26: Round 3, day 2, starting at 1pm EST / 6pm CEST (0-2 and rest of the 1-1 matches)
• Wednesday, October 28: Round 4, day 1, starting at 4pm EST / 9pm CEST (two 2-1 matches)
• Thursday, October 29: Round 4, day 2, starting at 4pm EST / 9pm CEST (the other 2-1 match, first 1-2 match)
• Friday, October 30: Round 4, day 3, starting at 4pm EST / 9pm CEST (remaining two 1-2 matches)
• Saturday, October 31: Round 5, starting at 1pm EST / 6pm CEST (all three matches)

Note: US daylight saving occurs on Sunday, October 25. For Europe, it takes place the weekend after, so keep that in mind for the LoL Worlds 2026 schedule.

The LoL Worlds 2026 final takes place on November 14. Image Credit: Christian Betancourt / Riot Games

Knockout Stage

The Knockout Stage kicks off three days after the Swiss Stage, on November 3. It goes until November 14.

All matches before the grand final start at 5pm EST / 11pm CEST. The final starts at 2pm EST / 8pm CEST. As always, all series are best-of-fives. There are the LoL Worlds 2026 dates for the playoffs.

• Tuesday, November 3: Quarterfinal 1
• Wednesday, November 4: Quarterfinal 2
• Thursday, November 5: Quarterfinal 3
• Friday, November 6: Quarterfinal 4
• Saturday, November 7: Semifinal 1
• Sunday, November 8: Semifinal 2
• Saturday, November 14: LoL Worlds final

This concludes the LoL Worlds 2026 schedule. Mark your calendars for the LoL Worlds final 2026 on November 14!

Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff / Riot Games