Welcome back to ranked chaos

It’s been a week since First Stand wrapped, and now every major League of Legends region is jumping into Spring Split (Split 2 for some leagues). Prize: spots at the Esports World Cup (EWC) and Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). MSI’s Play-In is harsher than ever, so expect teams to fight like their keyboards depend on it.

Below: start dates, playoff windows, EWC qualifier windows, and what’s worth watching in each region.

LEC (Europe) - Spring Split 2026

  • Start date: March 28
  • Playoffs start: May 23
  • Playoffs final: June 7
  • EWC qualifier: April 28 – May 17

What to watch

G2 Esports rocked First Stand, sweeping both LCK reps 3-0. They get the opening week off to recover from their heroics, which hands a short window to Karmine Corp and Movistar KOI to make early statements. Unique to the LEC this year: tier-two teams can still earn EWC qualifier spots. The top two non-academy teams from EMEA Masters Winter will qualify for those slots, with those teams decided by April 14.

LPL (China) - Split 2 2026

  • Start date: April 4
  • Playoffs: Dates TBA
  • Playoffs final: TBA
  • EWC qualifier: March 27 – May 22

What to watch

The LPL has been pulling huge audiences, and Bilibili Gaming (BLG) just won First Stand — their first international trophy. Schedule details for opening matches and playoffs haven’t been revealed yet, but talent depth makes this split interesting. Top Esports added two former world champions to their roster following the lifetime ban for match fixing given to jungler Yang ‘Naiyou’ Zijian.

LCK (Korea)

  • Start date: April 1
  • Playoffs start: June 6
  • Playoffs final: June 14
  • EWC qualifier: May 5 – May 26

What to watch

After surprising losses to G2, LCK teams are re-evaluating their approaches. Gen.G have already clinched an EWC spot by virtue of winning that tournament last year. BNK FEARX (BFX) stunned everyone by finishing second in the previous split, and the focus will be on how T1 and former T1 stars now at Hanwha Life Esports respond this split.

LCS (North America) - Spring Split 2026

  • Start date: April 4
  • Playoffs start: May 23
  • Playoffs final: June 14
  • EWC qualifier: April 14 – April 29

What to watch

Reigning champions LYON showed up reasonably well at First Stand, although mistakes in games against JD Gaming left fans wondering what might have been. Cloud9 lost the LCS Lock In finals despite being heavy favorites, so their adjustments will be closely watched.

CBLOL (Brazil) - Split 1 2026

  • Start date: March 28
  • Playoffs start: May 9
  • Playoffs final: June 6
  • EWC qualifier: June 7 – June 14

What to watch

The Brazilian league gets a boost: Riot granted CBLOL two spots at Worlds this year, plus a direct seed into MSI’s Bracket Stage for the Split 1 champions. That raises the stakes for Split 1 substantially.

LCP - Split 2 2026

  • Start date: April 4
  • Playoffs start: May 23
  • Playoffs final: June 7
  • EWC qualifier: May 5 – May 20

What to watch

CTBC Flying Oyster surprised on the international stage last year, but other teams picked their roster apart afterward, so the region is in a reset phase. Team Secret Whales are the reigning champions, but they struggled at First Stand and failed to pick up a win against G2 and BFX.

Final notes

  • MSI’s Play-In format is tougher than before, so even qualifying is a serious achievement.
  • Each region runs its own additional EWC qualifiers in addition to champion spots.

Which regional returns are you most hyped for? Keep your calendar handy — Spring Split season is officially here and it’s going to be loud.