Source: Riot Games

Riot Games has announced the operational details for the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), which will be held at the Daejeon Convention Center starting June 28. Eleven teams from around the world, including South Korea's Hanwha Life Esports and T1, will participate. This year's tournament introduces a match prediction system called the 'Crystal Ball' and a viewer reward program. Additionally, a portion of the sales revenue from the tournament-themed 'Broken Covenant Jhin' skin will be distributed to the participating teams.

Riot Games, the organizer of the LCK—the Korean professional league for 'League of Legends' esports—will host the 'Mid-Season Invitational,' the international tournament for the first half of 2026. Hanwha Life Esports and T1 will represent Korea in the tournament, which will be held in Daejeon over a period of approximately three weeks.

The tournament will be held at Exhibition Hall 2 of the Daejeon Convention Center. The official slogan for this year's event is 'CALL YOUR SHOT,' symbolizing the challenge each region faces as they compete for honor.

Riot Games stated that the slogan represents more than just victory; it signifies the power to prove oneself against rival teams or players. Detailed information regarding the tournament's format and schedule was also released.

The MSI will be divided into two stages: the Play-In Stage and the Bracket Stage. The Play-In Stage runs from June 28 to July 1, featuring four teams in a double-elimination, best-of-five format, with only one team advancing to the Bracket Stage.

The subsequent Bracket Stage will feature eight teams competing from July 3 to 6 and July 8 to 12, also using a double-elimination, best-of-five format. The grand final is scheduled for July 12 at 3:00 PM.

All 11 teams for the 2026 MSI have been confirmed. Starting with South Korea's Hanwha Life Esports and T1, the lineup includes Bilibili Gaming and Top Esports from China, G2 Esports and Karmine Corp from EMEA, and Lyon Gaming and Team Liquid Alienware from North America.

Representing the Asia-Pacific region are Team Secret, Whales, and Revolve Deep Cross Gaming, while Brazil's FURIA has also secured a spot.

Participatory content and rewards have been prepared for fans watching the tournament. Fans who watch matches via the official website will receive 'Drops,' including the Yuna-themed 'Duck!' and Renekton-themed 'No Running!' emotes. Events in collaboration with partners such as Opera GX, Secretlab, and Coinbase will also be held. A portion of the revenue from official Twitch channel subscriptions will be allocated to GRP to financially support regional leagues and teams.

Powered by AWS, the 'Crystal Ball' system—a first for MSI—will be operational until the tournament begins. The system allows fans to predict the tournament meta, popular champions, and player performances. Users who complete their predictions before the first match on June 28 will receive a limited-edition in-game emote.

Alongside this, the 'Pick'em' challenge will be available, with rewards tiered based on accuracy. All participants will receive a limited-edition El Tigre Braum emote, while fans ranking in the top 50% will receive a limited-edition Limit Break Blitzcrank icon. Those reaching the top 25% will cumulatively receive the limited-edition Janitor Thresh and Zac 'Cleaning' emotes. Participants who correctly predict all results will receive all previous rewards, including the 'Broken Covenant Jhin' skin and the Jhin champion.

The 'Broken Covenant Jhin' skin, representing the 2026 MSI, is set for release. A portion of the sales revenue from this skin will be distributed to the participating teams. Users can support their favorite teams by purchasing the skin individually or through border sets and chroma bundles.

Following the crowning of the champion, official commemorative icons and emotes will be released. Fans in the winning region will be able to purchase these commemorative items for one Blue Essence.

From July 13 to 20, a promotion will allow fans to purchase the skins actually used by the winning team's players in the grand final at a 33% discount. However, Ultimate, Mythic variants, Prestige, and 'Ascended' skins are excluded from the discount; if such a skin was used, a qualifying alternative skin will be discounted instead.