LCS Returns with Changes in 2026 Season

The North American League Championship Series (LCS) is set to return in 2026, following a year-long hiatus. Accompanying this return is a new structure and several significant changes. After undergoing a rebrand and substitution of one of the partner teams, the LCS is restarting with an overhauled format for the forthcoming season.

The LCS 2026 season features a distinct structure across three splits. The three splits reflect a scoped-down version of the previous model, aiming to deliver a more refined competitive gaming experience. As part of the restructuring, the former partner team, 100 Thieves, has made way for the Sentinels.

Noteworthy Changes in LCS 2026

Major competitive alterations are expected in the 2026 season. These changes are expected to elevate strategic thinking during matches and minimize any inherent advantages. A salient change is the introduction of ‘First Selection,’ a draft rule that applies universally across all games at the start of the season.

A second change pertains to the ‘International Tournament Structure.’ Following the LCS Lock-In, the leading team will qualify for the inaugural ‘2026 First Stand Tournament’ scheduled in Brazil. The magnanimous season will conclude in the USA, with semi-finals in Allen, Texas, and the World Championship finals in New York.

Changes to Financial Aspects

Another significant modification concerns the financial aspects of the LCS. Under this change, the regional split prize pools in the Global Revenue Pool regions will be eliminated starting 2026. Instead, these funds will be channeled towards a broader ecosystem support. Despite this redistribution, the prize pools for international events, including the First Stand, Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and the World Championship, will remain unchanged.

Further details about the new Americas Cup road shows and LCS Fantasy app updates are yet to be made public. Depending on the accessibility, these may be found in posts on strafe.com.