The schedule for the Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage is out. Round 1 will feature all sixteen teams in eight single-game series. A draw show will take place after all matches conclude. The winners will be drawn against each other in the 1-0 pool. The losers will be drawn against each other in the 0-1 pool. From Round 2 onwards, teams can play against opponents from the same region. Round 2 will be single games.
Worlds 2026: Swiss Stage Round 1: Schedule
Round 1 of the Swiss Stage kicks off on October 23rd at 10:00 AM PT (7:00 PM CEST). Matches will take place roughly an hour after the last one started.
- Gen.G Esports Versus Invictus Gaming
- 10:00 AM PT (7:00 PM CEST)
- Hanwha Life Esports Versus Top Esports
- 11:00 AM PT (8:00 PM CEST)
- Bilibili Gaming Versus Movistar KOI
- 12:00 PM PT (9:00 PM CEST)
- Anyone’s Legend Versus Karmine Corp
- 1:00 PM PT (10:00 PM CEST)
- G2 Esports Versus Dplus KIA
- 2:00 PM PT (11:00 PM CEST)
- Team Liquid Versus CTBC Flying Oyster
- 3:00 PM PT (12:00 AM CEST, October 24th)
- LOS Versus T1
- 4:00 PM PT (1:00 AM CEST, October 24th)
- Team Secret Whales Versus LYON
- 5:00 PM PT (2:00 AM CEST, October 24th)
Round 1 Predictions
Because the matches are best-of-ones, there is far more room for upsets. A bad draft, or a disastrous early game, can change the outcome.
Gen.G Esports Versus Invictus Gaming
Gen.G Win
Gen.G should be favored against most teams at Worlds. Historically, they dominate the Swiss Stage. Since its inception, Gen.G has lost two games. One was to Anyone’s Legend in Round 1 last year. The second was to Hanwha Life Esports in the 2024 qualification match. IG is not one of the teams expected to challenge Gen.G this year. We finally get to see Chovy and Rookie battle.
Hanwha Life Esports Versus Top Esports
HLE Win
By far the worst matchup TES could have gotten in Round 1. HLE is one of the tournament favorites. It is also a problem for TES after ZUIAN did not get his Visa. 369 must face the expected best top laner, Zeus. 369 has struggled against Zeus. Zeus knocked him out of Worlds three times. 369 beat Zeus in a game during the Worlds 2024 Swiss Stage. It should be a comfortable HLE victory.
Bilibili Gaming Versus Movistar KOI
BLG Win
A rematch of the 2024 Swiss Stage opening. BLG dominated the matchup last time. The rosters are different this time, but the result should be the same. MKOI’s strength is in the mid-jungle. BLG has the same strength, at a higher level, with XUN and Knight.
Anyone’s Legend Versus Karmine Corp
AL Win
Karmine Corp recovered after a bad start in the Play-Ins. They coasted through the rest of the Play-Ins. They face the LPL first seed. KC may have a chance. If the Grand Finals AL show up, KC is in trouble. However, we only saw that once this year.
G2 Esports Versus Dplus KIA (Featured Match)
DK Win
The most exciting match of the first round. The series could go either way. At their peak, DK should win, but we rarely see that. DK’s form will impact the series outcome. If EWC DK shows up, they should beat G2. However, they could be the DK that lost 3-0 to KT Rolster. Ultimately, the edge goes to DK, but we are not counting G2 out.
Team Liquid Versus CTBC Flying Oyster
TL Win
TL could not have asked for a better Round 1 draw. That said, CFO is not a pushover. They may not be the powerhouse, but they have their strengths. TL will need to be on their toes. Keeping Doggo on a leash is vital for TL to win. Fortunately, Yeon and CoreJJ are experienced enough to battle the Taiwanese AD Carry.
LOS Versus T1
T1 Win
LOS won CBLOL, retained their spot, and now face the defending champions. Round 1 is the best time to face T1. They take time to ramp up in international tournaments. T1 are the favorites. We will be keeping our eyes on the top matchup. Zest is a powerful laner. Doran is better out of lane than in it. That will be LOS’ path to victory.
Team Secret Whales Versus LYON
LYON Win
The second closest matchup of Round 1. The teams met at MSI earlier this year. LYON were 3-0 victors. LYON has looked shaky in recent weeks, while TSW has maintained their form. Stylistically, LYON is favored. Inspired can match Hizto, and Saint should crush Dire. All eyes will be on top lane; can Pun outmuscle Dhokla?
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