The MSI 2026 Play-In bracket has been revealed. Four teams will compete for a single spot in the Bracket Stage of the Mid-Season Invitational at Daejeon Convention Center II: T1 (LCK 2nd seed) faces Team Liquid (LCS 2nd seed), and Karmine Corp (LEC 2nd seed) takes on Revolve Deep Cross Gaming (LCP 2nd seed). Every match is a best-of-five in a double-elimination bracket, starting June 28 at 12 PM KST (5 AM CEST).
A brutal format: only one team survives
The Play-In format this year leaves no margin for error. Four teams enter the bracket, and only one advances to the Main Event Bracket Stage alongside the seven direct seeds. All matches are played as BO5, meaning there are no fluky upsets — only the most consistent team on the day will move on. The three eliminated teams go home before the main competition even begins. Play-Ins run from June 28 through July 1, with the Bracket Stage opening on July 2.
Seeding determined by First Stand 2026 results
This was not a random draw. The bracket seedings were pre-determined based on First Stand 2026 results from March. G2 Esports won the First Stand in São Paulo, defeating two LCK teams along the way — a result that granted the LEC region a favorable seeding advantage. As a result, Karmine Corp received the theoretically easier opening matchup against Deep Cross Gaming, while the reigning World Champions T1 were placed against Team Liquid in the upper bracket opener.
T1 vs Team Liquid: the headline clash
T1 versus Team Liquid is the marquee matchup of the Play-In stage. T1 finished as LCK runners-up after falling 3-1 to Hanwha Life Esports in the Road to MSI final — and will arrive in Daejeon hungry to bounce back on the international stage. Team Liquid, representing the LCS as second seed, has everything to gain in this bracket. The loser of the upper bracket match drops to the lower bracket for one last chance, while the other advances toward the sole Bracket Stage ticket.
One ticket to join eight direct seeds in the Bracket Stage — the Play-In margin is zero. MSI 2026 opens June 28 in Daejeon, with the Grand Final set for July 12.