Worlds 2026 Bilibili Gaming Preview: Avoiding the Disappointments of Last Year
The countdown to Worlds 2026 has begun. To start the hype for the international event, we are looking at every team in the tournament. Bilibili Gaming’s last Worlds performance was disappointing. They faltered in the Swiss Stage, losing to 100Thieves, G2 Esports, and Top Esports. 2026 started well. After winning the first LPL splits and First Stand, they were on the Golden Road. A narrow loss to Hanwha Life Esports in the Grand Final knocked them off the Golden Road.
Bilibili Gaming’s Roster
- Chen “Bin” Zebin – Chinese Top Laner
- Li “Flandre” Xuanjun – Chinese Top Laner
- Peng “XUN” Lixun – Chinese Jungler
- Zhuo “Knight” Ding – Chinese Mid Laner
- Park “Viper” Do-hyeon – Korean Bot Laner
- Luo “ON” Wenjun – Chinese Support
XUN and Viper joining the roster for 2026 was the change they needed. They went on a tear in the first half of the season. After struggles post-MSI, Flandre joined. Bin remains the starting top laner, but Flandre waits in the wings for his chance.
A Sharp Dropoff
BLG controlled the LPL for most of the year. Team WE were the only team to crack the shell. Even then, BLG rebounded to win Split 2. They were on top of the world after beating Hanwha Life Esports in the MSI Upper Bracket Final. They lost to the same opponent in the Grand Final. Esports World Cup was another disappointment. They lost to eventual champions Dplus KIA in the quarterfinals. Bin benched himself for the next couple of weeks.
Yang “Wenbo” Wenbo filled in until Flandre arrived. Bin returned and reclaimed his spot. BLG were destined to win Split 3 after beating Anyone’s Legend 3-0 in the Upper Bracket Final. For the second Grand Final in a row, BLG would lose to the team they beat in the Upper Bracket Final. AL took the series 3-1. BLG comes into Worlds as the second seed. They do not want to disappoint like last year, but will the downward spiral continue?
Key Player – Peng “XUN” Lixun
The Final Piece
BLG struggled to find a permanent jungler last year. They went through four players throughout the year. For 2026, they brought XUN back, and he made an immediate impact. His early-game plans run the show for them. XUN tends to put most of his resources into Knight. With Knight unlocked, the map becomes a playground for the First Stand champions. If XUN can do what he wants on the map, every opponent will struggle. The one time BLG lost in the LPL, Tarzan took control of the jungle. XUN barely had any room to manoeuvre. They meant Knight was quieter than usual. It is easier said than done. He neutralized Kanavi and Tarzan in the Upper Bracket Finals.
Bilibili Gaming’s Expectations
Before the LPL Grand Finals, BLG were the favorites for Worlds. Their expectations have dropped. Despite the loss, many favor BLG. A Chinese team has not lifted the Summoner’s Cup since 2021. EDward Gaming defeated Dplus KIA in the Grand Final. A Chinese mid laner has also never won Worlds. Knight will chase that honor once more. At the very least, BLG must get further than last year. Dropping out in the Swiss Stage was a disaster for the roster. Another Swiss Stage exit will turn fans against them.
Swiss Stage Beginnings
BLG’s LPL Grand Final loss places them in Pool 2. They will face a Pool 3 team in Round 1 of the Swiss Stage.
Potential Opponents
They can not draw Top Esports. There are no same-region matchups in Round 1. They could face Movistar KOI, T1, or the LCS first seed.
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