For a considerable period, the most dominant League of Legends teams on the global stage have predominantly originated from Asia, particularly China and South Korea. This trend has solidified the expectation that LCK and LPL teams will consistently emerge victorious in international tournaments, including the very first event of the 2026 season, known as First Stand.
However, a different story nearly unfolded. LEC representative G2 Esports showcased an impressive journey throughout the major tournament, successfully reaching the grand finals. There, G2 Esports once again found themselves up against LPL’s Bilibili Gaming (who had previously defeated G2 3-0 in the Group A Upper Bracket final). Despite securing one map victory, G2 ultimately couldn’t seal the deal and lost the series 3-1.
Indeed, it was a case of so close, yet so far for the LEC. The first major trophy of the 2026 League of Legends season is now heading to China with Bilibili Gaming, and the team will also be taking home a substantial $250,000 in prize money. While G2 Esports undoubtedly coveted the trophy for themselves, their strong performance certainly sets them up for a promising season in the LEC and strong contention in upcoming international tournaments, whether it be MSI or Worlds.
Did yesterday’s outcome surprise you?