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LPL 2026 Split 2

CompletedTier S

The LPL 2026 Split 2 is the second phase of the Chinese professional league for League of Legends during the 2026 season, and it is considered one of the strongest tournaments in the world for the game as it determines the teams qualified for the Mid-Season Invitational.

League of LegendsApr 4, 2026 – Jun 14, 2026Shanghai \ Suzhou \ Shenzhen \ Xi'an \ Beijing \ Tongxiang, China🇨🇳 China$413,812LPL

Format

LPL 2026 - Split 2: Tournament Format

The LPL 2026 Split 2 utilizes a highly competitive and strategic format designed to test the depth and adaptability of every team. The tournament is structured into three main phases: Group Stage, Play-In, and Playoffs.

1. Group Stage (Ascend vs. Nirvana)

Teams are divided into two distinct tiers based on their performance in the previous split:

  • Group Ascend: Comprises the top 8 teams. They fight for direct seeding into the Playoffs.

  • Group Nirvana: Comprises the bottom 6 teams. They fight for a final chance to survival and a spot in the Play-In stage.

2. The "Hard Fearless Draft" Rule

The defining mechanic of this split is the implementation of the Hard Fearless Draft system for all matches:

  • Once a champion is picked by either team in a Best-of-Five (Bo5) series, that champion is permanently banned from being selected again by any team for the remainder of that series.

  • This format heavily rewards teams with vast champion pools and punishes predictable, one-dimensional strategies.

3. Play-In Stage

  • The lower-ranked teams from Group Ascend and the top-performing teams from Group Nirvana face off in high-stakes elimination matches.

  • Only the strongest teams survive to secure the final remaining spots in the Playoffs bracket.

4. Playoffs Bracket (Double Elimination)

  • The King-of-the-Hill Phase: Lower seeds battle upwards in single-elimination matches.

  • The Double-Elimination Phase: Once the tournament reaches the Top 4 (Upper Bracket Semifinals), teams have a tournament "life." A loss drops them to the Lower Bracket, while a second loss means total elimination.

  • Grand Finals: The ultimate showdown between the Upper Bracket champion and the Lower Bracket survivor to determine the LPL Split 2 Champion.

Stakes & Rewards

  • Top 2 Teams: Secure direct qualification to the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI 2026).

  • Champion: Earns a direct seed into the Esports World Cup (EWC 2026) in Riyadh and the lion's share of Championship Points for Worlds 2026 qualification.