LPL 2026 Split 3 Playoffs: Who Will Come Away With the Title?

The 2026 LPL Split 3 is reaching its grand conclusion with the start of the playoffs now only days away. Six teams have already locked their spots in the playoffs, while another four squads will need to fight their way through the Knights Rivals stage (Play-Ins) starting Friday, August 28!

Let's have a look at everything you need to know about the LPL 2026 Split 3 Playoffs as teams battle for a spot at Worlds 2026.

LPL Split 3 Playoffs Teams and Rosters

A total of ten teams have survived the Group Stage. These teams are:

*Note that BLG is the only LPL team to have already secured their spot at Worlds 2026 (through LPL Championship Points). Their seed at Worlds is still undecided.

LPL Playoffs Format & Schedule

Before the LPL 2026 Split 3 Playoffs bracket kicks off, Knights Rivals will decide the final two teams to qualify for the next stage. The matchups are:

• EDward Gaming vs Ninjas in Pyjamas [Friday, August 28 - 8 am CET]
• ThunderTalk Gaming vs Invictus Gaming [Friday, August 28 - 11 am CET]

The winner of each match will immediately make their way to the Lower Bracket of the playoffs.

The LPL Split 3 Playoffs bracket will use the following format:

• Playoffs start Saturday, August 29
• Double-elimination bracket
• #1 & #2 seeds get a bye into Round 2
• Knights Rivals teams start in the Lower Bracket
• All matches are Bo5 (Fearless Draft)
• Grand Finals take place on Sunday, September 13
• LPL Split 3 Champions qualify for Worlds 2026 as the region's #1 seed

Opening Matchups

Once the Knights Rivals stage is done, the two matchups to kick off the LPL 2026 Split 3 Playoffs will be:

• Top Esports vs LGD Gaming [Saturday, August 29 - 11 am CET]
• JD Gaming vs Team WE [Sunday, August 30 - 11 am CET]

Predictions: Who Will Win the 2026 LPL Split 3 Playoffs?

As much as several teams in the LPL have shown the capacity to hit incredible highs, there is no denying that one team has consistently looked a step above the competition. That is, of course, Bilibili Gaming (BLG).

Led by Zhuo "knight" Ding's incredible run of form, BLG started the year looking like the best team in the world, if not certainly in the LPL. While the team did run into a few struggles — none more important than the unexpected exit of star top laner Chen "Bin" Zebin before the start of Split 3 — the team is starting to ramp back into form.

Not only is Bin back on the squad now, but BLG also have the veteran presence of former World Champion Li "Flandre" Xuanjun to lean back on in case of emergency. 

With Bin back on the team, just how far can BLG make it before the season draws to an end? (Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

But while BLG look like a lock-in to reach the finals, the question now is: who will meet them there? In terms of sheer individual talent, the three other LPL squads that most stand out are Anyone's Legend, Top Esports, and JD Gaming.

Given the ridiculous form of Lee "Tarzan" Seung-yong in the Jungle, though, Anyone's Legend look poised to make a deep run and contest BLG for the title before all is said and done.

Where to Watch

The LPL 2026 Split 3 Playoff action is right around the corner, and you won't want to miss a thing! To watch the very best League of Legends teams in China battle for a spot at Worlds, make sure to tune in to the official Twitch or YouTube channels for the LPL, starting Friday, August 28.

Remember you can also follow the tournament on Strafe for live updates and match results!

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest League of Legends news, and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured image credit: Yicun Liu/Riot Games

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