MSI 2026 Match Preview – G2 Esports Versus Top Esports: A Brewing Rivalry For a Hopeful Start

|
By:Devin Morris
The MSI 2026 Logo

G2 Esports and Top Esports have faced off a couple of times in recent years. G2 embarrassed TES in their previous MSI meeting. They won 3-0 in that series. TES got revenge during the 2025 World Championship. They beat G2 in the Swiss Stage and the Bracket Stage. Who will take the lead in the best-of-five series between the two teams?

The Road to MSI

G2 Esports qualified for MSI
Image of G2 qualifying for MSI, courtesy of LoL Esports

G2 started slow in the LEC Regular Season, finishing with a 6-3 series record. As always, they leveled up for the playoffs and went undefeated. TES also had a middling performance in the Regular Season, but stepped up in the playoffs. They went on a tear in the playoffs until the Grand Final. They lost in the final 3-0 to Bilibili Gaming.

Featured Matchup

Hans Sama Versus JackeyLove

Hans Sama has often failed to show up at international events. However, at First Stand earlier this year, he stepped up his performance. He outplayed both Ruler and Diable at the event. He will need to do that again in the series against TES. JackeyLove, who missed out on Split 1 due to health issues, is a pivotal part of TES’ success. The AD carry who can get the advantage will have a significant impact on the series outcome.

A Budding Rivalry

With the two teams trading blows in recent series, a rivalry has started. 2026 is the third successive year where these two teams will meet in a best-of-five series. The winner will move ahead of the other in the record against each other. A win for either team will be a big stepping stone for the rest of the tournament. With many doubting TES, the fans need them to start on the right foot. As for G2, a victory will continue to build confidence in the team to cause an upset at MSI. If they lose, no one will expect them to beat the rest of the LPL and LCK teams.

The other aspect to consider is Tian playing against G2 again. Tian was a part of the FunPlus Phoenix roster that beat G2 in the 2019 World Championship final.

A Potential Rematch

G2 and TES could face off later in the tournament. However, that would require one of them to beat either Bilibili Gaming or T1. That is because of the way the bracket will play out. One of Bilibili Gaming or T1 will drop to the Lower Bracket in the first round. The other option is that the series winner beats Hanwha Life Esports in the next round. While the potential rematch is unlikely, it can happen if both teams perform well in the tournament.

Prediction

G2 Versus TES at MSI
Image of G2 Versus TES at MSI 2026, courtesy of LoL Esports

G2 Esports 3-2 Top Esports

The result of the series could go either way. Both teams have the chance to win. It should go to five games in a tight battle between the teams. However, if one of the teams fails to show up, the series might end faster than everyone expects. The most recent meetings between the teams had many expecting a close battle. The 2024 MSI tournament saw G2 win 3-0, while TES won 3-1 at the 2025 World Championship. TES have the firepower, but they might not have the experience in the clutch moments. With ZUIAN and Fengyue playing in their first international series, the pressure might get to them.

A Dangerous Next Round Opponent

The winner of the series will likely face Hanwha Life Esports in the next round of the Bracket Stage. They should beat the LCP first seed, Team Secret Whales. If they face HLE, they will have a stern test. The loser of the series will then face Team Secret Whales in the Lower Bracket.G2 Esports and Top Esports have faced off a couple of times in recent years. G2 embarrassed TES in their previous MSI meeting. They won 3-0 in that series. TES got revenge during the 2025 World Championship. They beat G2 in the Swiss Stage and the Bracket Stage. Who will take the lead in the best-of-five series between the two teams?

The Road to MSI

G2 started slow in the LEC Regular Season, finishing with a 6-3 series record. As always, they leveled up for the playoffs and went undefeated. TES also had a middling performance in the Regular Season, but stepped up in the playoffs. They went on a tear in the playoffs until the Grand Final. They lost in the final 3-0 to Bilibili Gaming.

Featured Matchup

Hans Sama Versus JackeyLove

Hans Sama has often failed to show up at international events. However, at First Stand earlier this year, he stepped up his performance. He outplayed both Ruler and Diable at the event. He will need to do that again in the series against TES. JackeyLove, who missed out on Split 1 due to health issues, is a pivotal part of TES’ success. The AD carry who can get the advantage will have a significant impact on the series outcome.

A Budding Rivalry

With the two teams trading blows in recent series, a rivalry has started. 2026 is the third successive year where these two teams will meet in a best-of-five series. The winner will move ahead of the other in the record against each other. A win for either team will be a big stepping stone for the rest of the tournament. With many doubting TES, the fans need them to start on the right foot. As for G2, a victory will continue to build confidence in the team to cause an upset at MSI. If they lose, no one will expect them to beat the rest of the LPL and LCK teams.

The other aspect to consider is Tian playing against G2 again. Tian was a part of the FunPlus Phoenix roster that beat G2 in the 2019 World Championship final.

A Potential Rematch

G2 and TES could face off later in the tournament. However, that would require one of them to beat either Bilibili Gaming or T1. That is because of the way the bracket will play out. One of Bilibili Gaming or T1 will drop to the Lower Bracket in the first round. The other option is that the series winner beats Hanwha Life Esports in the next round. While the potential rematch is unlikely, it can happen if both teams perform well in the tournament.

Prediction

G2 Esports 3-2 Top Esports

The result of the series could go either way. Both teams have the chance to win. It should go to five games in a tight battle between the teams. However, if one of the teams fails to show up, the series might end faster than everyone expects. The most recent meetings between the teams had many expecting a close battle. The 2024 MSI tournament saw G2 win 3-0, while TES won 3-1 at the 2025 World Championship. TES have the firepower, but they might not have the experience in the clutch moments. With ZUIAN and Fengyue playing in their first international series, the pressure might get to them.

A Dangerous Next Round Opponent

The winner of the series will likely face Hanwha Life Esports in the next round of the Bracket Stage. They should beat the LCP first seed, Team Secret Whales. If they face HLE, they will have a stern test. The loser of the series will then face Team Secret Whales in the Lower Bracket.

More MSI Content

Below is all the previous MSI content on 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!

Loading...