MSI 2026 Tier List: Ranking All Teams

The best League of Legends teams in the world are set to clash for international glory. Eleven teams will arrive in Daejeon, South Korea, but only one will come away with the trophy. Here's a look at our MSI 2026 tier list to see how all teams rank before the start of the tournament.

MSI 2026 Tier List: Ranking All Teams

*Teams within the same tier are ranked in order of strongest to weakest.

S-Tier: The Favorites

Bilibili Gaming

BLG are yet to lose a tournament this year, and will arrive at MSI 2026 as the biggest favorites to come away with the trophy. The team tasted international glory for the first time in its history at First Stand earlier this year, and will come in hungry to keep the dream of the Golden Road alive.

Over the course of the LPL playoffs, no team other than Team WE seemed capable of giving BLG any trouble whatsoever. Will MSI prove any different?

Hanwha Life Esports

Currently, Hanwha Life is the best team in the best league in the world. If that doesn't spell favorites, then what does? 

Despite being a World Champion, Mid Laner Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo had never managed to qualify to MSI before. Getting his hands on an international trophy on home ground would certainly help put more respect on his name.  

BLG have done nothing but lift trophies this year so far. (Credit: Bruno Alvares/Riot Games)

A-Tier: The Contenders

T1

Technically speaking, MSI 2026 is being played in HLE's home too, but no team is getting as much of a crowd buff as T1. The reigning World Champs could arguably be considered one of the favorites, but the fact that they will have to get through the Play-In Stage first drops them down a tier.

There's always a chance T1 don't even make it to the Knockout Stage at all...

G2 Esports

After their performance at First Stand earlier this year, G2 have earned their spot in this tier.

The team is a cut above all of their Western competition, and have already proven they can go toe-to-toe with even the best squads in the world. To win a Bo5 against some of the heavy hitters on this list, though, every member of G2 will need to bring their A-game to South Korea.

Top Esports

The manner in which Top Esports lost the LPL Grand Finals to BLG has very few people thinking they could win the whole thing at MSI. And yet, the fact remains that TES is so stacked with individual skill that they could surprise any team at the tournament when firing on all cylinders. 

Will Faker ramp into top form a little early this year? (Credit: Christina Oh/Riot Games)

B-Tier: Dark Horses

Karmine Corp

Much like TES, the amount of talent on this KC roster is off the charts. But what good is talent if it never turns into silverware? If Karmine Corp want to be taken seriously on the international stage, then getting out of the Play-In Stage over the likes of T1 would be a fantastic place to start.

Team Secret Whales

TSW may hail from what is perceived to be a weaker league (the LCP), but make no mistake, this team is hot, hot, hot. Team Secret Whales has won their last 10 consecutive matches, and will be hungry to keep that streak alive.

That said, the team was handed a reality check at First Stand back in March, and they may well suffer another one now at MSI.

This Karmine Corp squad was built to compete with the best. (Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games)

C-Tier: Potential to Surprise

LYON

LYON may have looked nothing short of dominant on their way to lifting the most recent LCS trophy, but there's no denying that the North American league is but a shell of what it once was.

It seems unlikely this team will cause much damage at MSI, but a team led by Kacper "Inspired" Słoma should never be underestimated on the Rift.

FURIA

Similarly to LYON, FURIA dominated their region in the playoffs leading to MSI 2026, dropping just a single game over the course of the bracket. International competition will prove to be much tougher, but expect this team to play some fearless League of Legends as they rally behind their dauntless Jungler Pedro "Tatu" Seixas.

How much damage can Inspired and LYON cause at MSI 2026? (Credit: Stefan Wisnoski/Riot Games)

D-Tier: The Underdogs

Team Liquid

TL put on a great run through the Lower Bracket of the LCS playoffs before LYON shut the door in their faces in the finals. Now, the team will be forced to take the hard path once more as they head for the Play-In Stage of MSI 2026, where only a single team can make it through.

Deep Cross Gaming

Showing up at the bottom of this list may not look great, but make no mistake, DCG really showed their mettle making it here in the first place. Getting past T1, Karmine Corp, and Team Liquid to advance through the Play-In Stage would be nothing short of magical.

Team Liquid's year so far has been filled with ups and downs. (Credit: Heaven Wolf/Riot Games)

South Korea Awaits!

The stage is set, and MSI 2026 promises to deliver some of the most exciting League of Legends action of the year. BLG may claim the first spot in our MSI 2026 tier list, but a hostile South Korean crowd awaits, eager to stand behind their teams as they look to stop the Chinese giants.

The tournament starts June 28, and you won't want to miss it! 

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Featured image credit: LoL Esports/Riot Games

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