League of Legends World Championship 2026 to Be Hosted in Texas and New York
Riot Games announced the venues for the League of Legends World Championship 2026 and other major international events scheduled for next year. The championship will be held across Texas and New York City, marking the first time since 2022 that the season-ending event returns to North America.
Event Locations and Format
During a media day before the Worlds 2025 Grand Final between T1 and KT Rolster, Riot Games disclosed that Allen, Texas, will host the Play-In, Swiss stage, and Playoffs. The Grand Final will take place in New York City. Specific venues for each tournament phase are yet to be announced.
This edition will be the first in three years to span two cities outside of the COVID-19 pandemic years. Previously, the 2023 finals were held in the South Korean cities of Busan and Seoul.
First Stand 2026 Tournament Details
Aside from revealing the World Championship locations, Riot Games shared updates about the 2026 season's first international tournament, First Stand. Scheduled for March 16-22 in São Paulo, Brazil, this tournament expands from six to eight teams and will feature best-of-five match formats throughout.
“League of Legends esports is no stranger to the Brazilian city.”
Summary
The 2026 League of Legends World Championship will return to North America, held in Texas and New York, while the First Stand tournament expands in São Paulo, signaling Riot Games' continued global reach in esports.