The Esports World Cup 2026 League of Legends competition launched on July 15 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, bringing together 16 teams to fight for a share of a $2,000,000 prize pool. The group stage runs over two days, July 15-16, ahead of quarterfinals on the 17th, semifinals on the 18th, and the grand final on the 19th.
Gen.G open as champions, Karmine Corp eliminate Team Secret
In Group B, defending EWC champion Gen.G began their title defense with a win over Karmine Corp in just 28 minutes in the tournament's opening match. Dropped to the lower bracket, the French squad regrouped to eliminate Team Secret 2-1 in a decisive series, sending the Dutch org to a 13th-16th place finish and out of the tournament. Backed by their home crowd in Paris, Karmine Corp push on with a chance to become the first French team to make a real mark on the international LoL stage.
T1 and Bilibili Gaming set up a group final rematch
In Group C, T1 dominated GAM Esports while Bilibili Gaming defeated Movistar KOI, sending both teams to the group's upper bracket final on July 16. The T1-BLG clash will draw plenty of attention: Bilibili Gaming already eliminated the Koreans in a five-game series during the MSI 2026 bracket stage earlier this month, and T1 will be looking for revenge and a direct ticket to the quarterfinals.
G2, AG.AL and Hanwha Life round out the field
In Group A, G2 Esports beat FURIA while AG.AL International pulled off an upset over Dplus KIA, sending both teams into the group final. In Group D, MSI 2026 champions Hanwha Life Esports defeated MIBR.LOS and will face JD Gaming in the upper bracket final, while MIBR.LOS will battle LYON in an elimination match.
Eight quarterfinal spots remain up for grabs after the July 16 group finals, before the Esports World Cup 2026 moves into single elimination through to the July 19 grand final.