Karmine Corp wins Play-In Stage of LoL Worlds 2026

In case you’ve been living under a massive rock, without internet, and have no interest in esports (why are you here then?), you should know that the crowning League of Legends (LoL) event of the year, Worlds 2026, is currently underway.

Four teams battled to join the other 15 teams awaiting in the Swiss Stage. With stakes so high, the Play-In Stage’s double-elimination bracket was a bloodbath.

Karmine Corp (who placed 3rd at LEC Summer 2026) took charge after a thriller against Cloud9, where they had to make a two-game comeback to secure a 3-2 win in their opening match. In the 2nd round, Karmine Corp smashed MVK Esports 3-0.

MVK Esports bounced back in the lower bracket by defeating FURIA in a convincing 3-1 match. However, Karmine Corp reigned supreme in the final of the Play-In Stage of LoL Worlds 2026, sweeping MVK Esports 3-0 once again to secure a spot in the Swiss Stage.

With the final Swiss Stage team confirmed, the matches have now also been drawn.

From 23 to 26 October, and again from 28th to 31 October, 16 teams will duke it out in a Swiss System Format, with the top eight teams moving on to the Playoffs Stage. At the LoL Worlds 2026 Playoffs Stage, the final eight teams will battle in a double-elimination bracket. All matches are BO5 using Fearless Draft.

Watch the LoL Worlds 2026 action via the Riot Games Twitch channel, and catch up on matches via the LoL Esports YouTube channel. For more information, head on over to the official LoL Esports website.

Stay tuned to Esports Central, as we’ll bring you the results and final standings of LoL Worlds 2026.

Header image via Riot Games.