After a year in the LTA wilderness, North America's League of Legends E-Sports scene is breathing a sigh of relief: the LCS is back. Riot Games dropped the full 2026 address on January 12th, confirming the league's return to standalone status starting January 24th. Gone is the pan Americas experiment; in its place is a leaner, more focused structure built around three splits, international opportunities, cross-regional rivalries, and most importantly a renewed emphasis on putting fans first for the love of the game.
The off-season delivered plenty of drama, from big roster shakes to the arrival of powerhouse org Sentinels stepping in after 100 Thieves' exit. The league settles at eight teams: six longstanding partners, LYON carrying over from its LLA roots, and Disguised as the guest slot. Each squad comes with its own narrative, blending veterans, imports, and rising talents hungry to prove something in this reset year.Let's break down the rosters Riot highlighted in their address, complete with the flavor text that shows how teams are positioning themselves for the comeback.
Cloud9 (C9)
A franchise that's been shaping NA LoL since 2013, Cloud9 Kia sticks with continuity. Thanatos, Blaber, APA (replacing last year's mid), Zven, and Vulcan return under coaches Inero and IWD. It's a squad built on history, heart, and calculated chaos perfect for fans craving that classic C9 spark.
Dignitas (DIG)
DIG is going full redemption arc. Photon leads the top lane, eXyu is back in the jungle after some past drama got squashed, Palafox and Ignar reunite in mid-support, and FBI aims to surprise on what could be a slept-on roster. Transparency, culture, and wins are the name of the game here.
Disguised (DSG)
The newest disruptors arrive with a bang. Castle anchors top, KryRa brings speed in jungle, Callme (fresh from Turkey/EMEA success) handles mid, Sajed (two-time NACL MVP) storms bot, and Lyonz provides Worlds-tested leadership in support. Coach Ido ties it together—this mix of vets and prospects is designed to turn heads and scrap for every game.
FlyQuest (FLY)
The reigning LTA champs are betting big on youth. Gakgos, Gryffinn, and Cryogen debut as part of the youngest Tier 1 roster ever, flanked by All-Pros Quad and Massu. It's a bold push to showcase the next generation while keeping the championship pedigree alive.
LYON (LYON)
Aggression is the vibe. Zamudo ("Golden Boy" top), Inspired jungle, Saint mid (region's top talent), Berserker (iconic ADC return), and Isles support form a squad built to create nonstop action. With a coach who experiments and wins, LYON is roaring for that first LCS title.
Sentinels (SEN)
The global esports giant enters with swagger. Impact top, HamBak jungle, DARKWINGS mid, Rahel bot, and huhi support bring diehard focus on personality and fan activation. If you're not in "SEN City" yet, the sea of red is waiting and Sentinels are aiming to dominate viewership and rivalries from day one.
Shopify Rebellion (SR)
The underdog with a chip on its shoulder. Fudge top, Contractz jungle, Zinie mid, Bvoy bot, and Ceos support promise to challenge the elite while delivering top-tier fan experiences, both in-person and behind-the-scenes. Community-first, always.
Team Liquid (TL)
Now Team Liquid Alienware, they're leaning into fun and firepower. Morgan (hilarious personality incoming), Josedeodo jungle, Quid mid (ready to destroy), Yeon bot, and CoreJJ support (fourth year duo) round out a high-fidelity squad loaded for competitive and content dominance.
The season structure aligns closely with the LEC for the first time in years, making it easier for global fans to track the West. It opens with Split 1: LCS Lock-In Tournament (January 24–March 1), a beefed-up Swiss Bo3 stage into double-elim Bo5 playoffs. The winner heads to First Stand in São Paulo; more games overall set a high bar early. Finals hit March 1st in LA tickets are live for some weekends. Split 2: Spring (April 4–June 14) runs Bo3 round-robin to top-six double-elim playoffs, sending top two to MSI in Daejeon, Korea. Split 3: Summer (July 25–October) mirrors with top-three Worlds qualification (Worlds returns to NA this year!), including an expanded lower-bracket gauntlet for the strongest teams.
To bring the action closer to fans, expect more road shows outside LA. While some days shift to the FaceOff studio (netting only three fewer in-person days overall), Opening Weekends and playoffs stay live in LA. Fan input will shape the evolution Riot wants your thoughts.
Cross-regionally, the new Americas Cup pits LCS and CBLOL 2nd/3rd seeds against each other in São Paulo right before First Stand: Bo3 upper, Bo5 rest, live audience, and the prize? Fully funded Korean bootcamps during MSI. Up to four LCS teams could train in Korea, building on last year's success. It's a smart way to keep Americas rivalry alive and boost development.
Finally, the LCS Fantasy app gets a major glow-up. Splitting from LTA, it becomes the ultimate hub: schedules, standings, content, fantasy, achievements, and weekly engagement. Launching January 19th perfect timing for Lock-In prep.
Tier 2 sees NACL return with a revamped Summer group stage, stronger promotion path, policy updates like lower age requirements, and a global contract database.
In short, 2026 feels like a genuine reset: simpler formats, more meaningful international shots, regional flavor preserved, and fans pulled closer than ever. With Worlds in NA later this year, the stakes are sky-high. The Draw Show hits January 13th at 8 am PT, and Opening Week Presented by Mastercard starts January 24th–25th.
The LCS is back and it might just be the spark the NA region needs to get some real momentum for the League Of Legends NA pro scene. Stay tuned for more news as it comes!