With the MSI 2026 Play-In stage underway in Daejeon since June 28, the Bracket Stage draw has been officially revealed. Seven teams earn direct entry into the main event, joined by one survivor from the Play-In double-elimination bracket. The Bracket Stage runs from July 3 to July 12 at the Daejeon Convention Center in South Korea.
G2 Esports vs Top Esports: The Headline Clash
The most anticipated first-round matchup sends G2 Esports (LEC, Pool 1) against Top Esports (LPL, Pool 4) in the Upper Bracket Round 1 on July 4 at 17:00 KST. The seeding rules prevent same-region teams from meeting in the opening round, meaning TES cannot face fellow LPL side Bilibili Gaming — making this LEC vs LPL cross-regional clash the headline fixture of the opening day.
G2 Esports enter as LEC champions and a Pool 1 top seed alongside Bilibili Gaming, the LPL champions and First Stand 2026 winners. For TES, the second LPL seed, meeting G2 straight out of the gate is a major challenge in a bracket that allows no easy paths.
Bilibili Gaming vs Play-In Winner: July 3 Opener
The Bracket Stage kicks off on July 3 at 12:00 KST with Bilibili Gaming facing the Play-In survivor. BLG, the LPL champion and top seed of the entire tournament, will open against whichever team emerges from the Play-In bracket among T1 (LCK), Team Liquid Alienware (LCS), Karmine Corp (LEC), and Deep Cross Gaming (LPL).
The Seven Direct Qualifiers and Bracket Format
The seven teams with direct Bracket Stage entry are organized into four seeding pools: Pool 1 — Bilibili Gaming (LPL1) and G2 Esports (LEC1); Pool 2 — Hanwha Life Esports (LCK1) and LYON (LCS1); Pool 3 — Team Secret Whales (LCP1) and FURIA (CBLOL1); Pool 4 — Top Esports (LPL2) and the Play-In winner. Every match is a best-of-five series played under Fearless Draft rules.
MSI 2026 Bracket Stage runs from July 3 to July 12 at the Daejeon Convention Center, South Korea, in a double-elimination BO5 Fearless format. The Grand Final is scheduled for July 12.