Chinese esports is currently shaking so much that it won’t seem enough. After the LPL representatives shamefully flew past the Worlds Cup for the fourth year in a row, the league bosses decided it was time to demolish everything. The whole year 2025 was, in truth, a torment for fans from China, so a radical restructuring in 2026 looks quite logical. The teams are just burning out the old rosters, trying to restore the region’s status as a dominant force, and admittedly, some of the new rosters look really scary.
By the way, Esports Insider has prepared a list of all confirmed rosters, and I, in turn, will sort them out for you from the expert bell tower.
Table of Contents
Anyone is a Legend keeps the roster and changes the coach
We start with those who, apparently, decided not to fix what is already working. Last season, Anyone’s Legend proved to be the most stable guys in the LPL, managing to jump into the top 8 at Worlds 2025. As a result, the organization simply retained all five players — a rare case in our time.
However, there were some changes. Tabe’s brilliant strategist has left his post, and now Helper (ex-Gen.G) with the support of Teacherma. I wonder if they will keep the same “chemistry” with the new coach.
Composition of AL 2026:
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Top: Flandre
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Forest: Tarzan
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Foreign Ministry: Shanks
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ADC: Hope
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Support: Kael
BiliBili Gaming and Viper Transfer from the LCK League
If anyone is going to dominate in 2026, it’s BLG. After the disaster at the last World Cup, where they were eliminated at the “Swiss” stage, the management freaked out and pulled off the best deals of the offseason. The good old Xun was returned to the jungle, and the Korean genius Viper from LCK was discharged to the shooter’s position. Add Coach Dany to this, and you’ll get a killing machine that will be the league’s top favorite along the way.
BLG Roaster:
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Top: Bin
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Forest: Xun
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Foreign Ministry: knight
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ADC: Viper
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Support: ON
EDward Gaming presents a bundle of Leave and Parukia)
The era of the victorious 2021 is long in the past, but the current EDG roster looks pretty promising — at least on paper. The core of the team in the person of Zdz, Xiaohao, Angel and Parukia remains in place. The only change is the castling at the ADC position. Instead of Ahn, Leave, which came from NIP, will now be responsible for damage. Considering that Parukia is the best newcomer in the league, this bundle on the bot can make some noise.
EDG composition:
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Top: Zdz
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Jungle: Xiaohao
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Foreign Ministry: Angel
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ADC: Leave
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Support: Parukia
Invictus Gaming without TheShy and the new ADC Photic
To be honest, the news is lousy for IG fans. China’s most popular team has lost its main icon — the legendary TheShy has decided to take a break from his career. In addition, GALA also left. But don’t rush to bury the organization! They managed to extend the contracts with Wei, Rookie and the legendary Meiko.
Soboro from the BNK FearX Academy was called to the top, and Photic became the new ADC. Apparently, the strategy is simple: surround experienced veterans with hungry youngsters. Apparently, this is their last chance to regain their greatness.
IG’s application for the season:
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Top line: Soboro
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Forest: Wei
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Foreign Ministry: Rookie / Renard
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ADC: Photic
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Support: Meiko / Jwei
The new season of the LPL starts very soon, and, apparently, the hottest battle in recent years awaits us. The text will be updated as other organizations roll out their announcements.
The composition of IG at LPL 2026
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Top: Soboro
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Forest: Wei
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Foreign Ministry: Novichok/Renard
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ADC: Camera
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Support: Meiko/Jway
JD Gaming (JDG)
JD Gaming signed GALA, NiP, and coach Tabe and disbanded the LPL.
Last year was a real blow for JD Gaming — the flight past Worlds forced the organization to press the reset button. In fact, only the top liner Xiaoxu (Xu Xing-Zu) survived in the base. The rest, apparently, were sent to free bread.
The central axis is now cemented by LCP natives, JunJia forester and HongQ midlainer. It’s interesting, of course, how the guys from Flying Oyster will get used to the harsh realities of China. Heavy artillery was brought to the bot: GALA (ex-IG) and Vampire from Team WE. But, to be honest, the main transfer here happened at the coaching staff. Signing Tabe is a victory. This man, by the way, has been guaranteeing his teams trips to international events for years.
The JDG Roaster:
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Top line: Xiaoxu
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Forest: JunJia
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Foreign Ministry: HongQ
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ADC: GALA
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Support: Vampire
Weibo Gaming with Elk and jiejie at its core for 2026
Weibo seems to be seriously aiming for the title. Judge for yourself — they snatched one of the best Elk shooters in the world from BLG. In addition to him, jiejie flies into the forest, and Zika flies to the top.
However, there is a nuance with the support position. The legendary Crisp, along the way, decided to take a break for the first split. For now, Erha will be responsible for him.
Weibo Roaster:
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Top: Zika / Breathe
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Forest: jiejie
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Foreign Ministry: Xiaohu
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ADC: Elk
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Support: Erha / Crisp (inactive)
LNG Esports and the arrival of Korean legionnaires from LCK
LNG decided not to reinvent the wheel and turned to legionnaires from LCK. Now BuLLDog is responsible for the foreign Ministry, and Croco will make a fuss in the forest. They will be accompanied by sheer at the top. Interestingly, MISSING is coming back to the game after a vacation — let’s see if it’s rusty.
Ninjas in Pyjamas and the new line-up around HOYA
The “ninjas” didn’t stand on ceremony at all and disbanded the entire old roster. Now Koreans HOYA and Guwon rule the ball here. They were joined by Care and Assum, who used to advocate FPX. It looks good on paper, but in reality it’s a big question.
Composition of the NIP:
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Top: HOYA / Alley
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Forest: Guwon
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Foreign Ministry: Care
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ADC: Assum
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Support: Zhuo
Top Esports without Kanavi and the future of JackeyLove
The offseason turned out to be painful for TES — Kanavi’s departure to Hanwha Life (LCK) is a huge hole. Naiyou will shut her up. The good news is that 369, Creme and JackeyLove are still here. However, “Jackie” has health problems again, so we will probably see JiaQi at the beginning of the season.
The review of LGD Gaming and OMG roasters for the new
LGD season has been significantly enhanced by mider Tangyuan from RNG and forester Heng. The other three (sasi, Shaoye, ycx) are in place.
OMG also decided to promote the youth — forester re0 rose from the academy. Hery and haichao were added to it. The latter, by the way, was dusting for LNG last year.
ThunderTalk and Ultra Prime transfers in the LPL League
TT has been updated almost completely. A new gang was assembled around Feather’s support: Keshi, JunHao and two midlanders to replace them — xlun and Heru.
Ultra Prime has fresh blood too. Saber is now on the Foreign Ministry, and Baiye and Xiaoxia have joined the bot. Luoyiyu, a former talent from the BLG Academy, will be working in the forest.
Team WE and yaoyao return to the main roster
After the departure of the Legionnaires and Vampire, WE had to improvise. They brought About (ex-Gen.G Academy) and returned yaoyao. It makes sense, in principle, but is this enough to compete with the giants?
The Grand Relaunch of LPL 2026: Split 1 Analysis and the Path to First Stand
The Chinese league League of Legends, apparently, decided to finally show the cards. We are waiting for not just another season, but a total reassembly of the competition cycle. To be honest, there were different rumors about the dates — someone drowned for January 1, others for the 12th – but now the picture is clear: in January 2026, LPL Split 1 officially starts in order to drive the teams through the meat grinder of the regular season and the playoffs in three months.
By the way, this whole movement will last until March, and, admittedly, the schedule looks as tight as possible.
Strategic Goal: First Stand 2026
Why is all this necessary at all? The answer is simple — First Stand qual. The whole Split 1 is, in fact, one big qualification for the new global event from Riot Games. The teams aren’t just playing for the LPL Cup, they’re fighting for the right to join the elite of global esports.
Scoring points: Each BO3 episode in the Rumble phase is a building block for success.
Survival in the playoffs: The BO5 format does not forgive mistakes, the depth of the champions pool is important here.
The final profit: A ticket to First Stand 2026, which will go only to the best of the best.
I must say, this structure creates a steep balance between entertainment for fans and tough sports selection.
LPL season start date and tournament schedule
When are the matches expected? Actually, the season starts next month. The exact date will be announced in a few days — we are following the updates, it will be hot. The 2026 LPL season promises to be the most dynamic in a long time. If you were planning to follow the Chinese scene, January—March 2026 will be crucial. No passing matches, just a tough fight for the First Stand. It looks like we definitely won’t be bored.
Split 1 schedule and dynamics
The main feature of the beginning of the year is, of course, the frenzied concentration of matches. From January to March, the bands will literally live in the arena.
January: Start of the regular season.
February: The peak of the fight for points in the standings.
March: The denouement of the playoffs and the determination of the champions.
It is interesting that this year the organizers have relied on a hybrid system. At the BO3 rumble stage, the teams will sort things out in short bursts of up to two wins — this is, in fact, the ideal format for testing endurance. But when it comes to the decisive stages, full-fledged BO5 playoffs are waiting for us. Five cards, sweat, tears and pure skill — this is the only way to identify those who deserve to represent the region on the international stage.
However, it should be borne in mind that any misfire at the BO3 stage can bury the team’s chances of reaching the grand final in March. Logically, the stakes are higher than ever.
