When do the LCS, LEC, LCK, and LPL 2026 Seasons Start? A Look at All Start Dates

5 Jan

Martin Arévalo-Östberg

T1 completed yet another run for the history books at Worlds 2025, drawing an exciting season of action to a close with a bang. Now, it's time to turn our attention to 2026 as the start of the new season draws closer, with several teams around the globe hoping this can finally be the year they dethrone Faker and T1.

With First Stand 2026 scheduled to begin on March 16, this means all leagues must wrap up their first splits before that. With that in mind, let's take a look at the start dates of LCS, LEC, LCK, and LPL action in 2026.

LCS 2026 Season Start Date

Now that the LCS is back, which team will represent the region at First Stand 2026? (Credit: Robert Paul/Riot Games)

That's right, after a year to forget under the LTA name, the LCS is officially back! This year, the action will kick off with the LCS Lock-In 2026 tournament, debuting a new format in the process.

After a roller-coaster of an off-season, the 2026 LCS Season will deliver a return to old, familiar grounds, while the addition of Sentinels to the league gives things a fresh twist.

LCS Lock-In 2026 start date: Saturday, January 24

LEC 2026 Season Start Date

Will Karmine Corp and Caliste represent the LEC at First Stand once more? (Credit: Joao Ferreira/Riot Games)

For 2026, the LEC decided to flip the script entirely. To kick off the new season, the LEC will feature a brand new tournament called LEC Versus, which will bring us a brand new format, as well as finally let us watch Los Ratones compete against the top League of Legends teams from EMEA.

LEC Versus 2026 start date: Saturday, January 17

LCK 2026 Season Start Date

Gen.G look ready to continue their domination of the LCK in 2026. (Credit: LCK)

Three different LCK teams won all three international tournaments in 2025 (First Stand, MSI, and Worlds), proving they're still the best region in the world. That supremacy, however, starts at home, where competition continues to grow fiercer with every passing year.

The LCK 2026 Season will follow a similar format to that of last year, with the action kicking off with the LCK Cup to decide which team will represent South Korea at First Stand 2026.

The coming LCK Cup will also introduce a new feature that may well end up shaping the future of LoL Esports. We are talking, of course, about Coach Voice, a time-out-like window where coaches will be able to communicate with their players during the game.

LCK Cup 2026 start date: Wednesday, January 14

LPL 2026 Season Start Date

BLG's 2025 season came to a disappointing end. Can they bounce back in 2026? (Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

2025 proved to be a tough year for Chinese League of Legends after the LPL failed to make a single international grand finals. To start the new season, the 2026 LPL Split 1 will see teams split into three groups: Group Ascend, Group Perseverance, and Group Nirvana.

This will also allow the top teams in the region to get the best competition possible at home ahead of First Stand, where the LPL will hope to make a return to international glory.

LPL Split 1 2026 start date: Wednesday, January 14

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Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

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