MSI 2026 Power Rankings: Who's the Favourite in Korea?
The 2026 Mid-Season Invitational kicks off on June 28 in South Korea, and the hype train has already left the station. Sheep Esports just dropped its official power rankings for the Play-In and Main Event, and there are some serious surprises in store. With Gen.G – last year's champions – notably absent, the door is wide open for a new king to be crowned. But let's not kid ourselves: the usual suspects from the LPL and LCK are still the ones to beat.
Eleven teams will battle it out in a best-of-five format across both stages, a change from previous years that should reduce upset potential. Right now, the spotlight is on two titans: Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) from Korea and Bilibili Gaming (BLG) from China. They sit at the top of the power rankings with odds of 1.88 and 2.06 respectively. But behind them lurks a trio of dangerous contenders – T1, G2 Esports, and Top Esports – all with their own stories to tell.
Hanwha Life Esports: The New Korean Kings
Let's be honest: nobody really expected HLE to be the LCK's first seed heading into MSI. But after a dominant run through the 'Road to MSI' – where they finished first in the table and then dismantled T1 3-1 in the qualifier – they've earned the top spot in the power rankings. This is their first ever MSI appearance, but they're not here to make up the numbers.
The roster reads like a who's who of Korean talent: Zeus (top), Kanavi (jungle), Zeka (mid), Gumayusi (ADC), and Delight (support). The statistics back up the hype – a 35-12 record (74.5% win rate) in the spring season. Kanavi, in particular, has been the engine of this team. Known for his hyper-aggressive jungling style, he's taken on the role of primary playmaker while Zeka and Gumayusi deliver consistent damage. As Sheep Esports notes, Zeka is having a 'really strong year'. Fair enough – the mid-laner's form has been a key differentiator.
But here's the thing: HLE is unproven on the international stage. Can they handle the pressure of playing as favourites in a foreign environment? Their veterans like Zeus and Gumayusi have World Championship experience under their belts, but as a unit, they're still a fresh face. Expect them to lean heavily on Kanavi's early-game aggression to set the tempo. If he gets shutdown early, this team could wobble.
Bilibili Gaming and the Golden Road Dream
If HLE are the new kids, Bilibili Gaming are the seasoned juggernaut. BLG are the only team still alive for the Golden Road – winning every major title in a calendar year. They've already bagged First Stand 2026 and back-to-back LPL championships. This will be their fourth straight MSI appearance, a streak only bettered by T1 and G2 Esports. That's pedigree.
Their roster is stacked: Bin (top), Xun (jungle), Knight (mid), Viper (ADC), and ON (support). Knight, in particular, has been on a tear – he just captured his eighth LPL title and fifth Finals MVP. The man is a machine. After a brief scare in the playoffs (they lost to Team WE and were sent to the lower bracket), they roared back, beating Top Esports 3-0 in the grand final. That's the mark of a team that knows how to clutch up when it matters.
BLG's weakness? Their international record is actually a bit mixed. Despite domestic dominance, they've only won one major international trophy (the 2025 Worlds? Wait – the source says they're chasing their 'second major international trophy', implying they have one. Actually, the article says 'only their second major international trophy' suggests they have one already. The Sheep Esports article says 'chance to claim only their second major international trophy'. So they've won one before. Let's assume that's their World Championship or MSI win. We'll avoid speculating.)
What's clear is that Knight is the focal point. If BLG can protect him and let him roam, they're nearly unstoppable. But they've shown vulnerability under pressure – that loss to Team WE was a wake-up call. On home soil (well, Korean soil, but still Asia), they'll have the crowd support? Actually, not sure about that. But they're experienced enough to handle it.
T1, G2 Esports and the Contenders
No MSI feels complete without T1 and Faker. Ranked third in the power rankings (2.75), T1 are chasing a third MSI title – their last was in 2017, which feels like an eternity ago in esports years. They've got a new ADC in Peyz, who joined at the start of 2026 and has been impressive. But their path here was rocky: they lost to HLE in the qualifiers and barely scraped past Gen.G 3-2. Still, playing on home soil in South Korea might give them that extra edge. As the source says, 'It is exactly the kind of setting this team seems to thrive in.'
G2 Esports sit at fourth (3.50) and are Europe's best hope. They've won both LEC splits this year, beating Karmine Corp in gruelling five-game finals twice. Their hunger is real. But history haunts them: at Worlds 2025, they were eliminated by Top Esports in the quarterfinals (3-1), despite a strong Swiss Stage showing. G2's international record against top LPL/LCK teams is patchy at best. That said, they have a knack for pulling off upsets when nobody expects it. If they can get past the Play-In stage – which they should – they could be a dark horse in the Main Event.
Top Esports (TES) deserve a mention too. The LPL's third seed at Worlds 2025, they beat G2 to reach the semifinals, with Kanavi (now on HLE!) playing out of his mind. But that was a different season. TES are in the Play-In this time around, and their power ranking placement isn't given in the source – but they're a threat. Their 2025 run showed they can step up when it counts.
What This Means For You: How to Watch and What to Expect
Alright, so you've made it this far – you're probably wondering: how do I watch this thing, and why should I care? Let's break it down into practical takeaways.
First, the schedule: The Play-In stage starts June 28, with all matches now best-of-five. That means fewer coin-flip results and more strategic depth. If you're a fan of T1, G2, or Top Esports, you'll want to tune in early – they're in the Play-In. The Main Event kicks off a few days later, and that's where HLE and BLG enter the fray. Every match is live on LoL Esports and likely on Twitch and YouTube. Set reminders, because the timezone difference depends on where you are – South Korea is UTC+9.
Second, what to look for: Keep an eye on Kanavi (HLE) and Knight (BLG). They're the two most impactful players in the tournament right now. If Kanavi gets early leads, HLE are almost impossible to stop. If Knight gets counter-picked or camped, BLG becomes a lot more vulnerable. Also, watch for meta shifts – the best-of-five format means teams can adapt over a series, so drafting will be crucial. Expect pocket picks and surprise strategies.
Third, the absence of Gen.G changes everything. Last year's champions aren't here – that's a huge opportunity for T1 and the LEC/LCS teams. If you're a betting person, HLE at 1.88 is tempting, but BLG at 2.06 offers better value given their experience. And don't sleep on G2 – they're longshots but have the talent to cause chaos.
Finally, use the power rankings as a guide, not gospel. Remember, this is LoL – upsets happen. The Play-In stage might throw us a curveball. Watch the early games to see which teams have adapted to the patch. Then adjust your expectations accordingly.
The Bigger Picture: A Changing of the Guard?
MSI 2026 feels like a transitional moment for League of Legends esports. Gen.G's absence – after dominating 2025 – signals a potential power shift. HLE and BLG are the new guard, while T1 and G2 represent the old guard trying to hold on. The LEC, often written off, has sent two strong teams (G2 and Karmine Corp? Actually, only Karmine Corp mentioned as runner-up in LEC; G2 is the champion. The source says G2 beat Karmine Corp in finals. So Karmine Corp is not at MSI? Wait – the article says 'the LEC is sending both its champion and a very serious contender'. That means both G2 and Karmine Corp are attending? Actually, MSI now takes top two from major regions? The article says 11 teams. Usually LEC sends two teams now? The Sheep Esports article doesn't specify the full list but mentions 'LEC is sending both its champion and a very serious contender'. So yes, Karmine Corp is also there. We could mention them briefly.)
The rise of these new teams is healthy for the scene. It breaks the LCK-LPL duopoly – at least a little. And the best-of-five change for Play-In adds more competitive integrity. No more Bo1 shenanigans. It's a win for fans who want to see proper series.
But let's not get carried away. The power rankings still show a clear tier gap: HLE and BLG are head and shoulders above the rest, with T1 close behind. Everyone else is fighting for scraps. The real question is: can anyone bridge that gap? G2's performance will be the litmus test for whether the West is closing in or falling further behind. If they can take a game off HLE or BLG, that's progress. If they get swept, it's back to the drawing board.
One final thought: this tournament might be the last time we see Faker competing at MSI? He's getting older, and retirement talk is always there. Enjoy him while you can. And watch out for Peyz – he could be the next big thing in Korean ADC. MSI 2026 is shaping up to be a cracker. Don't miss it.
