Riot Games has revealed details about the Spring 2026 edition of EMEA Masters 2026. The championship will feature a significantly simplified and shortened format. The change comes as a direct consequence of the extended Winter Split, which concluded only on April 21.
Results from each EMEA Masters event are expected to contribute toward qualification for the 2027 LEC Versus competition. However, Riot Games has not yet officially disclosed the exact points system or the weight assigned to each tournament.
The new Spring Split structure resembles the format used during the Winter Split 2025, with the main difference being its much shorter duration. Instead of 18 match days, the entire tournament will run for just seven days — from June 8 to June 14, 2026.
Teams will compete without any breaks under the following schedule:
- June 8 — Play-In Stage
- June 9–11 — Group Stage
- June 12–14 — Playoffs
A total of 20 teams will participate in the Spring Split 2026, which is a slight adjustment compared to the previous Winter format that served as the foundation for the new structure.
On the opening day alone, four teams will be eliminated during the Play-In stage. In this round, eight teams will be split into four matchups and play Best-of-3 series. The winners will advance to the main event.
Play-In Teams (8)
- HM #1
- ROL #1
- EBL #1
- LPLOL #1
- NLC #1
- AL #2
- LIT #2
- HLL #2
Main Event Teams (12 Direct Invites)
- LFL #1 and #2
- PRM #1 and #2
- LES #1 and #2
- TCL #1 and #2
- AL #1
- LIT #1
- HLL #1
- RL #1
- +4 winners from the Play-In stage
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