The League of Legends team unveiled new details Friday about its 2026 international esports calendar, alongside a fresh cinematic created with longtime partner Fortiche. The announcement outlines host cities, tournament formats and viewing milestones ahead of next year’s competitive season.

Riot Games said Worlds 2025 Play-Ins reached a new peak, with the T1 vs. Invictus Gaming matchup becoming the most-watched Play-Ins match in the event’s history. The publisher did not disclose exact figures but called the milestone a sign of sustained global interest in the esport.

The first major event of 2026 will be the Stand Tournament, scheduled for March 16-22 at the Riot Games Arena in São Paulo, Brazil. The competition will feature two double-elimination groups feeding into single-elimination knockout rounds. All matches will be best-of-five, a structure Riot says is intended to maintain competitive integrity throughout the bracket.

International Events and a New Cinematic

The Mid-Season Invitational will return to Korea next year, with Daejeon set to host the tournament. Eleven teams will compete, beginning with a Play-In Stage that sends one team through to a double-elimination Bracket Stage. Riot said the format is designed to give emerging regions a clearer path while ensuring top-seeded teams face rigorous competition.

The 2026 World Championship will open in Dallas, Texas, where the Play-Ins, Swiss Stage, Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be played. The Finals will move to New York City, marking the tournament’s first championship event in the city since 2016. Riot said additional venue details will be announced in the coming months.

Alongside the competitive news, the company revealed a new cinematic titled Twilight’s End, created with Fortiche, the award-winning French studio known for producing Arcane. The short film centers on Xin Zhao and explores a pivotal choice tied to Zaahen and the Temple of Twilight. Riot described the cinematic as a thematic bridge for its 2026 esports narrative.