Riot Games has unveiled the complete format, schedule, and a new commercial partnership for its upcoming LEC Versus tournament, which will feature two EMEA Regional League (ERL) teams competing directly with the LEC (League of Legends EMEA Championship) for the first time. The EMEA Invitational will begin on 17th January 2026, featuring all ten LEC organisations alongside guest sides Los Ratones and Karmine Corp Blue, and will be supported by HyperX as the official peripherals partner.
The introduction of LEC Versus represents a significant shift in the competitive structure of Riot’s top European league for 2026, effectively replacing the traditional Winter Split. The goal is to create a “never-before-seen” event with a unique identity and trophy, while providing a direct competitive bridge between the tier-one LEC and the regional ecosystem. The tournament will determine the sole EMEA representative at the international First Stand event.
Spanning over four weeks, the initial stage will consist of a fast-paced single round robin of Best-of-Ones, where every team plays each other once. This format guarantees the two ERL teams a minimum of 11 matches against LEC opposition. The top eight teams from this phase will advance to a double-elimination playoff bracket, culminating in Best-of-Five matches to decide the champion. All games will be played at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, with tickets for the group stage going on sale 17th December.
The partnership with HyperX aligns the brand’s gaming peripherals with the new tournament. A HyperX spokesperson commented on the deal, stating: “This partnership pairs HyperX’s high-performance gaming gear with the best in competitive League of Legends play, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the year.”
This structural change dovetails with recent adjustments to the broader ERL ecosystem for 2026. As reported by The Esports Radar, Riot Games has granted regional tournament organisers more autonomy, including the removal of a unified Locally Trained Representatives (LTR) mandate. The selection of Karmine Corp Blue and Los Ratones for LEC Versus directly impacts their ERL seasons, as both will miss the regular Winter Split, though arrangements are being made for potential Playoffs participation.
The move to integrate ERL teams into a dedicated LEC tournament underscores a growing trend within EMEA to increase the visibility and competitive opportunities for rising teams, testing them against established LEC rosters in a high-stakes environment before the start of the main Spring Split.
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