Best Betting Sites for League of Legends
27 Jun 2025
Read More
LPL 2026 Split 1 Tournament Preview & Guide – Bilibili Gaming with Their Eyes on The Trophy
- League of Legends Pro League (LPL) returns on Wednesday, January 14, 2026
- 14 world-class teams battle for regional dominance and international qualification
- Bilibili Gaming enter as heavy favourites following a blockbuster signing
LPL 2026 Split 1 Tournament Preview
The 2026 League of Legends season for the Chinese region kicks off on Wednesday, January 14, with League of Legends Pro League (LPL) Split 1.
- When Does LPL 2026 Split 1 Start?
- LPL 2026 Split 1 Format
- Regular Season
- Knights Rials
- Knockout Stage
- LPL 2026 Split 1 Betting Odds
- Where to Watch LPL 2026 Split 1?
- Where to Bet on LPL 2026 Split 1?
Widely considered as one of the most entertaining and aggressive leagues in the world, the LPL opens its doors this week, welcoming the region’s best 14 teams who will begin their climb towards the prestigious trophy.
Using a revamped format to accommodate the reduced field of teams, the LPL 2026 Split 1 regular season will be played across three groups, each featuring teams of similar calibre.
This ensures that all matches will be competitive, enjoyable to watch, and offer plenty of betting opportunities.
While all teams are given a solid chance to make it deeper into the season, a few stand out as the squads to watch. At the top of the list are Bilibili Gaming, who are billed as the team to beat following a very successful 2025 season and promising roster changes during the pre-season.
However, there are other strong contenders in the mix, mainly Anyone’s Legend and JD Gaming, who will not let go of the opportunity to claim the trophy.
LPL 2026 Split 1 is shaping up to be one of the best splits of the Chinese top league and a split no esports fan should miss.
When Does LPL 2026 Split 1 Start?
The LPL 2026 Split 1 begins on Wednesday, January 14. The regular season will run for several weeks, followed by a playoff bracket to determine the first champion of the season.
LPL 2026 Split 1 Format
The LPL 2026 Split 1 will use a slightly changed format compared ot the last season.
The split begins with the group stage, dividing the 14 teams into three groups based on their 2025-season performance.
The six top-performing squads of last season are placed into Group Ascend, the next four will begin their campaign in Group Perseverance, and the bottom four are placed in Group Nirvana.
All groups are double round-robin with all matches played as best-of-three (BO3). The top four teams in Group Ascend will secure a direct bye to the playoffs, while the bottom two teams will proceed to Knights Rivals Round 1.
The top two teams from Group Perseverance proceed to Knights Rivals Round 1 and the bottom two to Knights Rivals Round 2.
Meanwhile, only the top two teams from Group Nirvana will advance deeper into the season, securing spots in Knights Rivals Round 2. Bottom two are eliminated.
Knights Rivals serves as a play-in stage and last chance to book a spot in the playoffs. It will use a hybrid elimination format with all games played as best-of-five (BO5). The four winners will proceed to the playoffs.
LPL Split 1 playoffs will use a familiar double-elimination format with all matches played as best-of-five (BO5).
All playoff games will also implement the Fearless Draft rule.
Regular Season
- 14 LoL esports teams
- Three groups – Ascend, Perseverance, Nirvana
- Teams are seeded into the groups based on their 2025 season performance
- Group Ascend has six teams
- Perseverance and Nirvana feature four teams each
- Double round-robin format with best-of-three (BO3) games played across all three groups
- The top four teams from Ascend proceed to the playoffs, while the bottom two proceed to Knights Rivals Round 1
- The top two teams from Group Perseverance advance to Knights Rivals Round 1, bottom two proceed to Round 2
- The top two teams from Group Nirvana proceed to Knights Rivals Round 2, bottom two are eliminated
Knights Rials
- Hybrid elimination format
- Best-of-five (BO5) games
- Four winners advance to the playoffs
Knockout Stage
- Double elimination
- The four directly invited teams (Group Ascend) pick their upper bracket quarterfinals opponents
- All matches are best-of-five (BO5)
- The top two teams qualify for First Stand 2026
LPL 2026 Split 1 Betting Odds
Leading esports betting sites have released outright odds for the split, highlighting a clear tier list among the competitors. And to no one’s surprise, Bilibili Gaming sit atop the power rankings as the team to beat.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bilibili Gaming | 2.75 |
| Anyone's Legend | 4.50 |
| JD Gaming | 5.50 |
| Weibo Gaming | 7.00 |
| Invictus Gaming | 9.00 |
| Top Esports | 15.00 |
| EDward Gaming | 21.00 |
| Team WE | 26.00 |
| LNG Esports | 29.00 |
| Ninjas in Pyjamas | 34.00 |
| LGD Gaming | 51.00 |
| Ultra Prime | 81.00 |
| Oh My God | 101.00 |
| ThunderTalk Gaming | 201.00 |
Bilibili Gaming head into the 2026 season as the team to beat. BLG were already a force to be reckoned with in 2025, but they made further changes this offseason to form one of the strongest rosters in the LPL’s history.
Having retained their core, including Bin, Xun, and Knight, BLG has now also acquired Viper as the new ADC, further raising their ceiling, thus making Bilibili Gaming a team with a superstar roster who will be expected to accomplish anything less than compete for the Summoner’s Cup.
Anyone’s Legend head into LPL 2026 Split 1 as BLG’s main challengers. They have transitioned from being a mid-table team to genuine LPL title contenders last season, and not much is expected to change in 2026.
This offseason, AL have made no changes, and have kept their roster intact since adding Flandre as a new top laner and Tarzan as a new jungler.
And by keeping the core, which performed admirably well in 2025, Anyone’s Legend can count on strong continuity to start the split well.
JD Gaming have opted for a very high-risk, high-reward roster change this offseason. They signed GALA as a new ADC and paired him with JunJui and HongQ from CTBC Flying Oysters.
While making three changes could lead to some growing pains early, JD Gaming could be a serious threat if their new roster clicks.
Invictus Gaming are not among the top title contenders. But they are a dangerous dark horse.
They enter Split 1 warmed up after winning the Demacia Cup despite not playing with their full roster. Now with mid laner Rookie back in the mix, IG could surprise many.
Where to Watch LPL 2026 Split 1?
The LPL matches are broadcast on all esports streaming sites, and fans can catch every match live on official LPL channels. For those looking for a more integrated experience, many top-tier betting platforms offer live streams alongside their in-play markets.
One of the premier destinations is Stake, which provides live streaming for all LPL games along with in-play markets, allowing you to place live bets while watching the game.
- Visit Stake
- Register using the promo code NEWBONUS or log in
- Go to the esports section and select LPL markets
- Watch the free live streams and place in-play bets
Where to Bet on LPL 2026 Split 1?
LPL is one of the biggest and strongest League of Legends leagues in the scene. As a result, it is a massive hit in the online betting community, and most online bookmakers will have LoL markets available for it.
While many online bookmakers will offer LPL 2026 Split 1 markets, Stake stands out as one of the top options. It offers competitive betting odds, excellent market coverage, as well as in-play betting, live streaming, and generous bonuses and promotions for new and existing users.
Verdict
While Bilibili Gaming are the logical choice due to their overwhelming roster quality, Anyone’s Legend present a more appealing pick.
Anyone’s Legend were one of the top squads of 2025, and they have opted to make minimal changes, giving them an advantage of pre-existing synergy, which can go a long way early into the season. Even though BLG look like by far the best team on paper, AL at 4.50 seem underrated.
Anyone’s Legend were one of the top squads of 2025, and they have opted to make minimal changes, giving them an advantage of pre-existing synergy, which can go a long way early into the season. Even though BLG look like by far the best team on paper, AL at 4.50 seem underrated.
Anyone's Legend To Win
Outright
@350.00 - 3 Units
25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.
