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Hanwha Life Esports Crowned MSI 2026 Champions
In a true trial by flames, Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) emerged victorious at the end of a lengthy Bo5 series against Bilibili Gaming (BLG) — becoming the latest team to win the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational. The final series of MSI 2026 between the LCK and LPL delivered it all: one-sided victories, individual moments of brilliance, comebacks, and a closely contested Game 5 that could have gone either way.
HLE Triumph Over BLG in 5-Game Banger
Heading into the series, BLG were very much favorites to bring it home. Their team looked fundamentally better than HLE the entire MSI, and more importantly, they’ve already beaten HLE once before in the Upper Finals in a Bo5.
Games 1 and 2 opened with dominant performances. HLE drew first blood, ending Game 1 in 43 minutes with a 7k gold lead. BLG answered back with a 32-minute decimation.
Game 3 continued in much the same way Game 2 had ended, with HLE’s Jungler Seo “Kanavi” Jin-hyeok taking a stark turn from his Game 1 performance to begin struggling massively. Despite HLE managing to keep the game relatively even throughout most of it, BLG’s top side proved too much to overcome, putting the LPL side on series point.
Echoes of yesterday’s series against LYON came back to us in Game 4, when HLE’s Top Laner Choi “Zeus” Woo-je slammed in the Swain once again, powering HLE to a 31-minute victory, 11k gold in the lead.
Game 5. Silver Scrapes. HLE held the momentum now from winning Game 4, but both teams were headed to the lower ends of the barrel for any remaining champion picks that could make the difference.
In the end, it proved to be Zeus’ last-second swap to Dr. Mundo for the R5 pick that proved game-defining in that pivotal final Baron exchange between the two teams, walking through the entire BLG side to take out AD Carry Park “Viper” Do-hyeon.
The LCK Retains the Crown for Another Year
Following T1’s elimination at the hands of G2, it fell on the shoulders of HLE to secure the latest MSI title in front of a roaring Daejeon crowd. With this victory, the LCK have now won the last 3 MSI events, with 2023 being the last time a non-LCK representative lifted the trophy.
Kanavi becomes the second player ever to win an MSI title under two different organizations, having won with JD Gaming back in 2023 before today’s victory with HLE.
Meanwhile, Kim “Zeka” Geon-woo becomes the first-ever player to win all three LoL international events on his first showings at each (Worlds 2022, First Stand 2025, MSI 2026). He and Zeus become the first players to complete the 'Grand Slam', having won First Stand, MSI, and Worlds.
HLE’s victory also shatters BLG’s Golden Road attempt, the second LPL team to fail in twice as many years. HLE now add to their trophy cabinet a second international title, after First Stand 2025. Top Laner Zeus was awarded the Finals MVP for his pivotal part in securing his team the victory.
Looking Beyond: Final Split and Worlds 2026
HLE are now crowned as the current strongest team in League of Legends heading into the final third of the season. With Worlds returning to the United States this year, we are reminded of 2022, when Zeka lifted the Summoner’s Cup as a world champion for the very first time.
Coincidentally shattering two of his teammates’ dreams (Zeus and Gumayusi) in the finals. United now, are HLE set to contest for more silverware in 2026? Do they have what it takes to quell a rising West? Take down the 3-time reigning world champions T1? Time to find out.
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Featured Image Credit: Riot Games
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