Riot Games has updated the format for the EMEA Masters Spring 2026 tournament. The developer announced the changes on May 21, 2026. The event will take place across the EMEA region during the spring season.
Riot Games expands tournament to twenty-eight teams with a condensed eight-day schedule following community feedback.
The tournament now features a total of twenty-eight teams. This represents an increase of eight teams compared to previous iterations. The competition runs for exactly eight days. Riot Games shortened the schedule due to time constraints.
Play-In qualification requires two full days of matches. Day one consists of five rounds of best-of-one games. Teams that advance move to a Swiss Stage on day two. Players compete in best-of-three series during this phase. Regional leagues receive specific slot allocations for both main event and Play-In stages.
The LFL, Prime League, LES, and TCL each secure two slots for the main event. Hitpoint Masters, Road Of Legends, EBL, LPLOL, and NLC each earn two spots in the Play-Ins phase. Riot Games reviewed the format alongside community feedback regarding European regional league representation. The developer stated that every match carries higher stakes when there is no room for mistakes.
Source: Insider Gaming
