Top Esports Defeats Invictus Gaming to Qualify for Worlds 2026

Top Esports has qualified for Worlds 2026. On Thursday, September 17, the team defeated Invictus Gaming 3-1 in the LPL 2026 Regional Finals to secure China's third spot at the League of Legends World Championship.

With the result, TES joins Anyone's Legend and Bilibili Gaming as the LPL's confirmed representatives. The region still has one spot up for grabs, with Invictus Gaming, Team WE and JD Gaming still in contention.

How Did Top Esports Qualify for Worlds 2026? 

The Regional Finals feature the four teams with the most Championship Points that did not qualify directly for Worlds. Top Esports entered the tournament with the highest points total in the group, followed by Invictus Gaming, while Team WE and JD Gaming started in the lower bracket.

As the top two teams in Championship Points, TES and IG faced each other directly in the upper-bracket final. The series offered an immediate path to qualification: the winner would secure the LPL's third seed at Worlds. Top Esports took advantage of its first chance and closed out the series 3-1.

On the other side of the bracket, Team WE and JD Gaming will face off on September 18. The loser will be eliminated from Worlds contention. The winner advances to face Invictus Gaming on September 19, with the LPL's final Worlds spot at stake.

Which LPL Teams Have Already Qualified for Worlds 2026?

With Top Esports securing its spot, three of China's four berths have been decided:

• Anyone's Legend: 1st seed.
• Bilibili Gaming: 2nd seed.
• Top Esports: 3rd seed.
• Invictus Gaming, Team WE, or JD Gaming: 4th seed.

Anyone's Legend secured the first seed by defeating Bilibili Gaming 3-1 in the LPL season final. BLG earned the second seed through Championship Points.

Only one spot remains. Invictus Gaming is waiting in the lower-bracket final, while Team WE and JD Gaming must survive their September 18 matchup to stay in the race for Worlds 2026. 

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Featured image credit: Top Esports

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