RLCS 2026 - World Championship

1. Play-In Stage

• Participants: 8 teams (the lowest-seeded teams).
• Format: 8-Team GSL (Double-Elimination) bracket.
• Match Rules: All matches are Best-of-5 (Bo5).
• Progression: The Top 4 teams advance to the Group Stage, while the remaining 4 teams are eliminated.

2. Group Stage

• Participants: 16 teams total (12 high-seeded teams + 4 teams advancing from the Play-In), divided into 4 groups of 4.
• Format: Single Round Robin (each team plays three matches within their group).
• Match Rules: All matches are Best-of-5 (Bo5).
• Progression & Elimination:
• 1st Place: Qualifies directly to the Upper Bracket of the Playoffs.
• 2nd & 3rd Place: Qualify to the Lower Bracket of the Playoffs.
• 4th Place: Eliminated from the tournament.

3. Playoffs

• Participants: 12 teams advancing from the Group Stage.
• Format: Hybrid Elimination Bracket.
• Group Winners (Top 4): Start in the Upper Bracket, granting them a "two-chance" safety net before reaching the Final Four.
• 2nd & 3rd Place Teams (5th–12th seed): Start in the Lower Bracket (Single-Elimination / "one-chance").
• Match Rules: High-stakes matches; all series are Best-of-7 (Bo7).