Riot Games has confirmed that the 2026 League of Legends World Championship will take place in the United States, marking the tournament’s first North American appearance in several years. The competition will be hosted across two major cities—Allen, Texas, and New York City—bringing the global event back to U.S. soil.
This announcement highlights the continued growth of professional League of Legends and its international reach. Fans and teams alike are preparing for a return to familiar territory, where North American venues will once again serve as the stage for one of esports’ most anticipated tournaments.
LoL Worlds 2026 location
Riot Games confirmed that the 2026 League of Legends World Championship will take place in Allen, Texas, and New York City, New York. The event marks the game’s first return to North America since 2022, bringing major stages of the competition back to U.S. venues.
The schedule divides the tournament between the two cities:
- Allen, TX – hosts the early rounds, including Play-Ins, Swiss, and Playoffs.
- New York City, NY – stages the Grand Final.
| Year | Host Region | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | China | Finals in Chengdu |
| 2026 | United States | Split between Texas and New York |
| 2027 | South Korea | First return since 2018 |
LoL Worlds location history
Since 2011, the League of Legends World Championship has moved across multiple continents, highlighting the game’s global reach. Each year, Riot Games selects new host cities to showcase regional esports communities and expand the event’s international presence. The tournament has visited arenas in North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond, often rotating between established markets and emerging ones.
The first championship took place in Jönköping, Sweden, during DreamHack. The competition later expanded to major cities such as Los Angeles, Seoul, Paris, and Shanghai, creating a tradition of large-scale live events. Over time, the venues have grown in size and prestige, with finals held in stadiums like Seoul World Cup Stadium and London’s O2 Arena.
Below is a record of host locations from the event’s beginning through its confirmed future sites:
| Year | Region | Host Cities |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Sweden | Jönköping |
| 2012 | North America | Los Angeles, CA |
| 2013 | North America | Los Angeles, CA; Culver City, CA |
| 2014 | Asia | Taipei; Tampines; Seoul; Busan |
| 2015 | Europe | Paris; London; Brussels; Berlin |
| 2016 | North America | San Francisco; Chicago; New York City; Los Angeles |
| 2017 | China | Wuhan; Guangzhou; Shanghai; Beijing |
| 2018 | South Korea | Seoul; Busan; Gwangju; Incheon |
| 2019 | Europe | Berlin; Madrid; Paris |
| 2020 | China | Shanghai |
| 2021 | Iceland | Reykjavík |
| 2022 | North America | Mexico City; New York City; Atlanta; San Francisco |
| 2023 | South Korea | Seoul; Busan |
| 2024 | Europe | Berlin; Paris; London |
| 2025 | China | Beijing; Shanghai; Chengdu |
| 2026 | North America | Allen, TX; New York City, NY |
| 2027 | South Korea | Seoul |
This rotation pattern reflects Riot Games’ strategy to maintain regional balance and sustain global fan engagement.
