LPL Split 2 2026 playoffs betting preview: Odds and favorites

Naerlyn Published May 22, 2026

The LPL Split 2 has completed its regular season, and the top 12 teams now move on to the play-in and playoffs. With the top four trading blows all split long without any team remaining a clear favorite for long, there’s no telling who will represent China at the Mid-Season International and Esports World Cup.

The play-in stage begins May 23. Afterwards, the LPL Split 2 playoffs will kick off on May 29.

LPL Split 2 playoffs: 12 teams remain

The LPL Split 2 2026 playoffs teams (with regular season wins-losses) are:

Group Ascend

1. Bilibili Gaming (12-2)
2. JD Gaming (9-5)
3. Top Esports (8-6)
4. Anyone’s Legend (8-6)
5. Ninjas in Pyjamas (7-7)
6. Weibo Gaming (6-8)
7. Invictus Gaming (5-9)
8. Team WE (1-13)

Group Nirvana 

1. LNG Esports (4-1)
2. ThunderTalk Gaming (3-2)
3. LGD Gaming (3-2)
4. EDward Gaming (3-2)

Ultra Prime and Oh My God have been eliminated from the LPL for Split 3.

The LPL Split 2 playoffs begin May 23. Preview and predictions. Image source: Riot Games

Playoffs format

• The top four teams start directly in the playoffs, while the next eight will go through the play-in.
• The LPL Split 2 play-in is a single match for each team. The winner advances to the playoffs, the loser is eliminated.
• The LPL Split 2 playoffs is a double-elimination bracket among the remaining eight teamS.
• All matches are Best of 5.

The two finalists will represent China at the Mid-Season Invitational 2026, starting June 28 in Daejeon, South Korea. The winner also qualifies for the Esports World Cup beginning July 15 in Paris.

JD Gaming is next in line as the favorites to win the LPL Split 2. Image Source: Riot Games

LPL Split 2 playoffs: Who are the favorites?

While four teams took turns looking like the best in the LPL, Bilibili Gaming stands out as the favorite.

Throughout the split, BLG has looked shaky, always having several players at a time look lost. Even then, the results are there, largely thanks to Zhuo “Knight” Ding having one of his best splits to date. Coming into the playoffs, BLG has only lost to Top Esports and Ninjas in Pyjamas.

Barring a collapse, it’s nearly certain that Bilibili Gaming will win the LPL Split 2 playoffs. The fate of the second seed is much less clear.

JD Gaming is the team that’ll reach the finals if the other two don’t step up. JDG’s baseline level is great, with their teamfighting prowess allowing them to always be relevant.

Against them, TES and AL represent the inconsistency with a high ceiling. Top Esports lacks a clear identity, but they looked like the best LPL team when they took down BLG. However, their floor is equally as low, which is how they finished 1-1 against all but one team.

As for Anyone’s Legend, they strongly depend on their jungler. AL’s macro is shaky this split since the departure of their head coach Wong “Tabe” Pak Kan. Currently, it’s only when Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong is ahead that they have a clear sense of how to play.

Featured image source: Riot Games