Riot Games Unveils Teams and Format for LJL 2026 Winter Series

Riot Games Announces the LJL 2026 Winter Series

Riot Games, Inc., a prominent name in the gaming industry, has laid out the details for the upcoming LJL 2026 Winter Series, which is poised to commence on January 31, 2026. This thrilling event, organized in collaboration with Playbrain Inc., is expected to amplify the esports scene in Japan, particularly focusing on League of Legends tournaments. With 15 teams competing for the limited slots available at the main stage, this season is geared towards nurturing the next wave of gaming stars.

Competition Overview

The LJL 2026 Winter Series serves as a vital step in enhancing the competitive gaming ecosystem in Japan. The participating teams will engage in fierce competition over a span of two weeks, aspiring to secure one of the eight coveted spots on the main stage.

Participating Teams

The following 15 teams will showcase their skills in the open qualifiers:

1. Arneb
2. Bamboo Juice
3. CAG OSAKA
4. Clocks
5. Fast8
6. Inferno Drive Tokyo
7. L Guide Gaming
8. New Meta
9. NOVEX
10. Revolution Victory X
11. Rising Gaming
12. UECeSportsPlusPlus
13. Uwinks
14. V3 Esports
15. VelbeliKaizokudan

Main Stage Teams

Joining the top teams from the open qualifiers will be four seeded teams guaranteed a place in MAIN STAGE 1. These teams, determined based on last year's performance and other criteria, are:

- DetonatioN FocusMe Academy
- VARREL YOUTH
- YANG YANG GAMING
- FENNEL

FENNEL will be entering the tournament after acquiring a seed position due to the inactivity of QT DIG∞ and the associated collaboration.

Open Qualifier Format

The structure of the open qualifiers has been meticulously designed based on the participation of all 15 teams:

- Format: Single round-robin, Best of One (BO1)
- Number of Teams: 15
- Main Stage Qualification Spots: 8

Each of the 15 teams will compete against all others within their group, creating an exhilarating atmosphere as they battle for advancement.

Individual Streaming by Players

As an added feature this year, the open qualifiers will permit individual streaming by participants. Although there won't be an official broadcast, fans will have the chance to view matches from their favorite players’ perspectives. This concept aims to enhance the engagement of the audience, allowing them to feel the thrill of the gameplay firsthand.

Schedule for Winter Series Open Qualifiers

The open qualifiers are slated for several dates:

- January 31 (Saturday)
- February 1 (Sunday)
- February 7 (Saturday)
- February 8 (Sunday)

Matches will begin at 10:30 AM on all days, with the detailed schedule confirming a series of matches, typically 3-4 happening concurrently throughout each day.

For the latest updates on the LJL, be sure to follow their official channels:

This highly anticipated tournament promises to deliver thrilling moments and potential new champions for the League of Legends arena in Japan.