LCP 2026 Season Kickoff: Schedule, Format, Teams & How To Watch
The League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) debuted in 2025 with a hybrid team system that injected new energy into the APAC region. Now in its second year, the 2026 Season Kickoff will not only continue as the league’s early testing ground but also pave the way to the international stage.
In this guide, you’ll get the key information about the LCP 2026 Season Kickoff, including schedule, format, participating teams, and where to watch this year’s competition.
LCP 2026 Season Kickoff Dates & Location
The LCP 2026 Season Kickoff will begin on January 16, 2026, and is expected to end in March 2026 (the exact date is not confirmed). The tournament will take place at Riot Games Arena in Taipei, Taiwan.
LCP 2026 Season Kickoff Schedule
This table covers the full LCP 2026 Season Kickoff schedule, including each stage, match dates, and start times.
To better accommodate viewers on the West Coast, all match days will now begin at 14:00 (GMT+8) instead of 17:30 (GMT+8), allowing fans to stay engaged throughout meaningful matches.
| Stage | Match Date | Match Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage | TBD | TBD |
| Playoffs | TBD | TBD |
| Grand Final | TBD | TBD |
Note: Official game timings are not yet available. We will update this section as soon as announcements are made.
LCP 2026 Season Kickoff Format
The Regular Season follows a single round-robin format, with each of the eight participating teams playing in seven best-of-three series. Instead of 1v1 duels, side selection will now be determined by 2v2 mini-matches.
Only the top six contenders from the Group Stage will advance to the Playoffs, which will be played as a best-of-five series under a double-elimination format. This change drastically raises the stakes of LCP matches.
Additionally, all matches will adopt Fearless Draft. This means that once a champion is picked by either team in a best-of series, it’s permanently banned for both teams throughout the series. The champion of the LCP 2026 Season Kickoff will earn a direct invite to First Stand 2026.
Prize Pool Distribution
Riot Games has not allocated any prize money for the tournament.
Teams Competing At LCP 2026 Season Kickoff
Eight LoL teams from the APAC region, representing Vietnam, Taiwan, and Japan, will compete in the LCP 2026 Season Kickoff. This includes four partner teams and four guest (i.e., non-franchise) teams.
- CTBC Flying Oyster (Partner Team)
- SoftBank HAWKS (Partner Team)
- GAM Esports (Partner Team)
- TBD (Partner Team) *
- Deep Cross Gaming (Guest Team)
- DetonatioN FocusMe (Guest Team)
- MGN Vikings Esports (Guest Team)
- Team Secret Whales (Guest Team)
Note: On November 18, 2025, Riot Games removed PSG Talon from the LCP after failing to meet league standards. Riot Games is exploring options to fill the vacant slot.
How To Watch The LCP 2026 Season Kickoff
The LCP 2026 Season Kickoff will be available in four languages: English, Mandarin, Japanese, and Vietnamese. Streams will be broadcast from the LCP’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, with partnered co-streams available across multiple other platforms.
FAQs
When and where is the LCP 2026 Season Kickoff starting?
LCP 2026 Season Kickoff is scheduled to start on January 16, 2026, at Riot Games Arena in Taipei, Taiwan. It will end sometime in March 2026.
What’s the LCP 2026 Season Kickoff Format?
LCP 2026 Season Kickoff will open with a best-of-three single round-robin Group Stage (i.e., regular season), followed by Playoffs played in best-of-five series.
Which team won the LCP 2025 Season Kickoff?
CTBC Flying Oyster won the LCP 2025 Season Kickoff, beating Talon Esports 3–1, earning $26,400 in prize money, and securing their place in the First Stand 2025.
What is Coach Comm in the LCP 2026?
Coach Comm is a pilot program designed to improve real-time communication between coaches and players, helping teams adjust their strategy during play. It will be tested briefly in the LCP and LCK 2026 seasons, but won’t be used in global events yet.
How can I watch the LCP 2026 Season Kickoff?
You can catch all the action of LCP 2026 Season Kickoff in multiple languages on the official LCP Twitch and YouTube channels. You can also tune into partnered co-streams.
References
- Riot Games Removes Talon from the LCP (LoL Esports)
- LoLPacificEN (Twitch)
- League of Legends Championship Pacific (YouTube)
- LCP 2025 Season Kickoff Virtual Co-streamers (LoL Esports)
- Introducing Coach Comms in the LCP (LoL Esports)
