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Introducing the 2026 World Star Challengers Invitational: The Global Stage for Tier 2
For the first time ever in the League of Legends esports scene, Tier 2 teams from around the world will meet on a global stage, giving the scene's most promising players the chance to test their skills against international competition and take their game to the next level.
The 2026 World Star Challengers Invitational (WSCI) will run from September 20 to October 2.
"Tier 2 is a key feature of the LoL Esports competitive pipeline. It gives emerging players a place to develop, gives teams an opportunity to build and invest in future talent, and helps bridge amateur and pro play. As Riot looks to strengthen that pipeline, we are focused on creating more opportunities for developing players and their teams to challenge themselves in more meaningful ways," says Riot Games.
What is the 2026 WSCI?
The 2026 WSCI is a collaboration between TJ Sports and Riot Games, bringing a brand-new international tournament to the Tier 2 ecosystem. This September, 16 teams from China, South Korea, APAC, the Americas, and EMEA will compete on a global stage, creating a new level of international competition.
According to Riot Games, international competition can play an important role in the development of young players. Rather than building a new tournament, Riot Games is partnering with TJ Sports to expand Asia Masters and bring together teams from around the world.
The 2026 WSCI will serve as a pilot for what international Tier 2 competition could look like. This tournament will help demonstrate how cross-regional competition can support player development, strengthen connections between regional ecosystems, and create new opportunities for players and teams to grow.
At the same time, the event will also allow fans to discover and connect with the players who will shape the next generation of League of Legends Esports.
Tournament Format
Each of the five participating regions will determine three teams per region, alongside the Asia Masters champions, Dplus KIA Challengers.
The teams will first compete in a Group Stage, with only the top eight teams advancing to the next stage. The finals are scheduled for October 2.
| Group Stage | Playoffs | |
| Dates | September 20-25 | September 27 - October 2 |
| Teams | Four groups of four teams (16 teams) | 8 teams |
| Format | Teams face each other twice in a double round-robin format | Single-elimination bracket |
| Matches | Best-of-one (Bo1) | Best-of-five (Bo5) |
Where to Watch the 2026 WSCI
Fans around the world will be able to follow the inaugural WSCI through regional Tier 2 social channels, while co-streamers will also bring the action directly to their communities.
At this time, it is not yet known which co-streamers will be part of the event.
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Featured image credit: Riot Games
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