LEC EMEA Masters: A Gateway to the Esports World Cup
Riot Games has unveiled exciting updates for the LEC EMEA Masters this year, branding it as a pivotal event for the European Regional League (ERL) scene.
Kicking off on March 9, the EMEA Masters Winter will showcase 36 ERL teams, with the top two squads earning a spot in the new Esports World Cup Qualifier. Notably, Karmine Corp Blue will secure a direct entry into the Group Stage.
This tournament not only aims to identify the top ERL teams within the LEC but also serves as the initial phase of the EWCQ, which will run alongside the LEC and ERL Spring Splits. This collaboration with the EWC underscores Riot’s commitment to the upcoming multi-title event funded by the Saudi Arabian government, set to take place this summer in Riyadh.
While LEC Academy teams are eligible to compete in the EMEA Masters, they will not be able to qualify for the EWC Online Qualifier.
The two leading ERL teams from the 2026 EMEA Masters Winter will have the opportunity to face off against 10 LEC teams for a chance to participate in this year’s Esports World Cup, providing what Riot describes as “a direct pathway to one of the world’s biggest stages.”
The tournament will feature a total of 36 ERL teams, seeded according to their rankings, and will be divided into three stages, beginning with the Champions Round.
On March 9, the Winter Split champions from the top eight ERLs will compete in a single Best-of-Three format. The four victors will advance to the Playoffs Upper Bracket Round 2, while the losers will enter the Group Stage.
The Group Stage, scheduled for March 10-15, will consist of Best-of-Three matches. Thirty-two teams, including the Champions Round losers and Karmine Corp Blue, will compete in this phase. Eight groups of four will engage in a double-elimination bracket, with only the group winners moving on to the Playoffs.
Playoffs will unfold from March 23-25, and 31, as well as April 7, 14, and 21. The eight teams emerging from the Group Stage will enter the Playoffs Upper Bracket Round 1, while the four Champions Round winners will start in Upper Bracket Round 2. The 12 teams will compete in a double-elimination format, with Finals being Best-of-Five and the rest Best-of-Three.
Due to the extended duration of the EMEA Masters Winter this year, Riot has made minor adjustments to the ERL Spring Split schedule. The Spring Splits will now commence three days later, and the final phase of the EMEA Masters Winter Playoffs will overlap with the start of some ERL Spring Splits. To prevent scheduling conflicts, EMEA Masters Winter Playoff matches will be held exclusively on Tuesdays.
In the past, Riot was hesitant to include its games in the Esports World Cup, but the landscape has shifted significantly. Now, Riot has fully embraced several of its flagship titles for Saudi Arabian-funded events like the Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup. This shift in policy is mirrored by many major Western game developers who have also committed their titles to these events this year.
The Esports World Cup is set to take place this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, organized by the Esports Foundation, which is backed by a “sports grant” from the Saudi Arabian government’s sovereign wealth fund, the PIF.
Events like the EWC and ENC have faced criticism for being perceived as tools for “sports washing,” allowing the government to divert attention from its human rights record, including issues related to women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the treatment of journalists, among others. These concerns have been raised by international watchdog organizations.
