Top Esports Qualify for LoL Worlds 2026 After 3-1 Victory Over Invictus Gaming

Top Esports (TES) defeated Invictus Gaming (IG) 3-1 in the LPL Regional Finals and qualified for the League of Legends World Championship. The victory marks TES's return to Worlds and positions them among 12 teams that have already secured qualification for the 20-team event.

TES becomes the third Chinese team to qualify alongside Bilibili Gaming (BLG) and LPL champions Anyone's Legend. However, the qualification comes with a notable caveat for LPL fans: TES has lost all nine of its series against LCK teams across their last three international appearances.

Invictus Gaming still retains a path to Worlds qualification. IG and top laner Kang 'TheShy' Seung-lok will face the winner of the JD Gaming versus Team WE matchup for one of the remaining spots.

The qualified teams so far span multiple regions. From the LCK, Gen.G claimed the Korean title, with Hanwha Life Esports, T1, and Dplus Kia also securing spots. T1 earned qualification as back-to-back-to-back champions. The LEC has sent G2 Esports and Karmine Corp, while the LCP contributed Team Secret Whales, CTBC Flying Oyster, and MVK Esports, with MVK competing through Play-Ins.

Gen.G enter as early tournament favorites. Despite being two-time MSI champions, they remain in search of their first LoL Worlds trophy. Polymarket users give Gen.G a 37% chance to win the championship.

Several regions still have playoffs underway. The LEC Season Finals take place this weekend to determine final seeding and whether Movistar KOI or Natus Vincere will claim the region's last qualification slot. The Americas region has both the CBLoL and LCS playoffs ongoing to decide their representatives. Four of the eventual 20 teams will compete through Play-Ins, with only one advancing to the Main Event alongside the top seeds.