MSI 2026 Team Preview: Bilibili Gaming On Course To Create History with an MSI Victory

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By:Devin Morris
The MSI 2026 Logo

No team has achieved the Golden Road in professional League of Legends history. With the addition of Winter Splits, First Stand, and the Esports World Cup, it became more difficult. Bilibili Gaming is on pace, having won the first two LPL splits and First Stand. They broke the LCK streak by winning First Stand, but now they must break the MSI streak against two formidable Korean foes.

Bilibili Gaming’s Roster

BLG won the LPL Playoffs to qualify as the first seed for MSI
Image of BLG winning the LPL Split, courtesy of LoL Esports
  • Chinese Top Laner – Chen “Bin” Zebin
  • Chinese Jungler – Peng “XUN” Lixun
  • Chinese Mid Laner – Zhuo “Knight” Ding
  • Korean Bot Laner – Park “Viper” Do-hyeon
  • Chinese Support – Luo “ON” Wenjun

Bilibili Gaming made two significant changes to their roster at the start of the year. They let go of Junglers, Yang “Beichuan” Ling and Zhao “Shadow” Zhiqiang, and brought XUN back to the roster. Their long-time AD Carry, Zhao “Elk” Jiahao, also left, with Viiper replacing him. Viper has dealt with a hand injury, and his performance has dropped as a result. He is seeking medical attention in Korea during the break.

The Chase for the Golden Road

At the start of First Stand, everyone wrote off Bilibili Gaming. Not because of their team strength, but because everyone believed Gen.G Esports would be unstoppable in 2026. That proved false, as Gen.G Esports lost to G2 Esports and then did not qualify for MSI this year. Bilibili Gaming will have stern opposition at MSI. Both Hanwha Life Esports and T1 hit peak form towards the end of the Regular Season. Hanwha Life Esports may be the biggest test due to the team’s strengths. The two outstanding players of the LPL first seed this year have been Bin and Knight.

The rest of the team is no slouch either, but their solo have been exceptional. Against T1, they will have a leg up, with Doran and Faker not being the strongest laners, nor side-laners in the world. Hanwha Life Esports, on the other hand, has Zeus and Zeka, both of whom, at their peak, will outperform any mid laner in the world. Bilibili Gaming has given their fans hope after the First Stand victory, but can they continue their momentum and keep the Golden Road alive?

Key Player – Zhuo “Knight” Ding

BLG Knight, the Golden Left Hand
Image of BLG Knight, courtesy of the LoL Esports

Champions Played in Spring 2026

  • Annie (8)
  • Viktor (5)
  • Mel (5)
  • Aurora (4)
  • Ryze (4)
  • Orianna (4)
  • Akali (4)
  • LeBlanc (4)
  • Cassiopeia (4)
  • Ahri (3)
  • Twisted Fate (3)
  • Jayce
  • Anivia
  • Yone
  • Azir
  • Syndra
  • Ziggs

The Golden Left Hand Guiding the Golden Road

Knight had his best LPL split. By his high standards, that is a high bar. He had multiple games throughout the Regular Season and Playoffs, where he ended with double-digit kills. Despite being the best Chinese mid-laner in recent years, he has kicked it up a notch for Spring. The team has been making their best effort to play around Knight as best as they can.

XUN and ON will play around Knight for most of the early and mid-game. Once they have unlocked Knight, he can roam the map and impact everywhere. Knight will need to maintain this form heading into MSI. With the likes of Zeka, Faker, Creme, and even Caps at the event, Knight can not afford to miss a beat.

Bilibili Gaming’s Expectations

They, along with Hanwha Life Esports, are the favorites to lift the MSI trophy at the end of the tournament. T1 is not far off, but their weaknesses are more pronounced. Team WE did show the blueprint to beat Bilibili Gaming. If more teams can unlock the key and keep the Jungle and Support duo from impacting Knight’s lane, an upset win is on the cards. Hanwha Life Esports is most likely the team to achieve this, having a dominant mid laner and Jungle and Support duo willing to play around him. On paper, Bilibili Gaming has the better of T1, but you can never count out the T1 magic.

Facing the Play-Ins Team

Bilibili Gaming starts in the Bracket Stage and is the highest-seeded team in the tournament. However, they might have a difficult opponent in the first round. With T1 likely to qualify through the Play-Ins, Bilibili Gaming will have to face them early. Any team that can beat T1 twice will also be a stern test for Bilibili Gaming, but likely not on the same level as T1.

More LoL Esports Content

Below is all the previous MSI content on the Total Apex. You can expect more MSI articles in the following weeks.

Devin Morris is a Gaming Writer and Esports Editor for Total Apex Media. Devin is a gaming fanatic from little old South Africa. Devin has had a passion for gaming and writing from a young age. Devin's early favorites were Age of Empires, FIFA and Need for Speed games. As Devin grew older he moved into more competitive gaming, focusing on Overwatch, League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics. Devin also sinks way too many hours into Destiny 2!

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