Worlds 2026 Group Stage

The Group Stage or Swiss Stage of the League of Legends World Championship is where the hype really begins. The best teams from each region face off in a rapid-fire fashion where every game matters.

The LoL World Championship Group Stage has adopted a Swiss format in 2023 and hasn’t changed since. From 2023 to 2025, the two teams finishing 3-0 have each time been one team from China and one from Korea. Going 3-0 isn’t exclusively about skill, as the draw plays a part into it too.

Regardless, the other regions have yet to finish undefeated. In 2023 and 2025, one Western team went 3-1. Otherwise, it’s only been LPL and LCK all over again. Similarly, only and exactly one Western team has advanced into the Knockout Stage each year since the introduction of this format. In 2023 and 2024, it was NA; in 2025, EU, with the LCP’s first seed CTBC Flying Oyster managing to qualify alongside them.

Non-elimination, non-qualification matches are best-of-ones. This means that upsets are way more likely for those games. Regardless, it’s safe to bet that at least six or seven Swiss winners will be from China or Korea.