Everything is ready for the final split of the Chinese League of Legends teams, marking the final regional battle before the season-ending LoL World Championship.
Scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 22, the League of Legends Pro League 2026 Split 3 is the third and final split of the LPL league. It features China’s strongest teams who will battle it out in one final showdown to determine the summer split champions and LPL’s representatives at the upcoming LoL World Championship.
Compared to the previous split, there are some format changes, as Split 3 welcomes only 12 teams, instead of all 14 franchised squads, with Split 2’s bottom finishers, Ultra Prime and Oh My God, not securing invites to the third split.
The absence of the two bottom feeders, however, does not change the balance of power in the Chinese league, with the usual suspects in Bilibili Gaming sitting firmly atop the power rankings as the team to beat as they chase their third LPL title of the season.
Yet, with other strong contenders in the mix, such as JD Gaming, Top Esports, Invictus Gaming, and Anyone’s Legend, the road to the top will be filled with obstacles for BLG and any title-aspiring squad, ensuring a competitive split that will leave no esports fan indifferent.
Here is all you need to know about LPL 2026 Split 3, including the format, favourites, schedule, and outright betting odds, courtesy of the top-rated esports bookmakers.
LPL 2026 Split 3 Format
The final split of the LPL season will feature a smaller field of teams than Split 2, with last split’s bottom finishers, Ultra Prime and Oh My God, not securing invites.
This brings down the number of competing teams from 14 to 12, with the remaining contenders further divided into two groups based on their performances last split.
Of the 12 squads, eight will begin their LPL 2026 Split 3 campaign in Group Ascend and the other four in Group Nirvana. Both groups are double round robin with all matches played as best-of-three with Fearless Draft rule in place.
In Group Ascend, the top two finishers will secure an upper bracket semifinal bye, and the next four will proceed to the quarterfinals. The bottom two teams in Group Ascend will join the top two teams from Group Nirvana in the Knights Rivals.
Knights Rivals will welcome four teams who are placed in a double-elimination bracket, where they’ll play best-of-five series with a Fearless Draft rule. The winners will proceed to the playoffs.
LPL 2026 Split 3 playoff is a double-elimination bracket with all games played as best-of-five, including the grand finals.
Group Stage
- 12 teams
- Two groups – Group Ascend and Group Nirvana
- Group Ascend features eight teams
- Group Nirvana features four teams
- Double round robin format
- All games are BO3 with Fearless Draft
- Top two Ascend teams proceed to upper bracket semifinals
- Next four teams advance to the upper bracket quarterfinals
- Bottom two Ascend teams join top two Nirvana teams in Knights Rivals
- Bottom two Nirvana squads are eliminated
Knights Rivals
- Four teams
- Double-elimination format
- BO5 games with Fearless Draft
- Winners proceed to playoffs
Playoffs
- Double-elimination bracket
- All matches are BO5 with Fearless Draft
How to Bet on LPL 2026 Split 3?
Betting on LPL Split 3 is a very straightforward process, mainly thanks to the wide accessibility of LPL markets on all online esports bookmakers. While there are numerous platforms to choose from, some stand out as more popular destinations among esports punters.
Stake, in particular, is a very popular bookmaker for LoL betting, as it offers highly competitive odds, great market coverage, and numerous other features such as free streaming options and in-play markets.
- Visit Stake
- Log in or register with Stake promo code NEWBONUS and claim your welcome offer
- Open the LoL tab and look for LPL markets
- Explore the vast betting markets and enjoy the free streaming options
LPL 2026 Split 3 Favourites
Ahead of LPL 2026 Split 3, there are a few teams who’ve found themselves under the spotlight as the main title contenders and the squads to watch.
Sitting atop the power rankings are no other than two-time LPL champions, Bilibili Gaming, who’ve held the Chinese LoL league in their grasp over the last two splits.
The Chinese titans, who’ve now won three consecutive LPL titles (including 2025 Split 3), have also proven themselves on the international stage this season, with a First Stand gold medal and a runner-up finish in the Mid-Season Invitational.
Widely regarded as the most dominant Chinese team of the year, Bilibili Gaming will be aiming for nothing less than another trophy by the end of the split, and given their track record, it is hard to doubt them and their chances to make a run for it.
LPL Split 2 runners-up, Top Esports, are the next in line to win the final split of the season. TES haven’t had the best season, as they’ve struggled to find any success up until the spring split.
Yet even after winning the silver medal, Top Esports collapsed at MSI, ending the event in seventh-eighth place, which raises some concerns about whether TES really are as strong as they appeared in the last split.
JD Gaming and Anyone’s Legend can’t be overlooked either.
JD Gaming did not impress anyone in Split 2, but they’ve had their moments throughout the split, proving they have the tools to compete at any level. They looked better early into the season, with a silver medal from Split 1 and a semifinal run at First Stand, but the shakier performance in Split 2 does not take away from their high ceiling.
Anyone’s Legend are one of the more volatile teams in the mix, having shown both very high highs and low lows this season.
By design, AL are not a team who will consistently deliver, but they have a high ceiling, making them a threat to anyone. With enough time, they could find more stability, and if that happens, a deep run in LPL Split 3 should not escape them.
Invictus Gaming re-emerged as one of LPL’s top contenders with the return of top laner TheShy for Split 3 and mid laner Rookie re-joining the active lineup after missing Split 2. Now fielding one of the most stacked and experienced rosters in the league, Invictus Gaming look primed to make a splash.
LPL 2026 Split 3 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Bilibili Gaming | 2.50 |
| Top Esports | 5.00 |
| JD Gaming | 6.50 |
| Anyone's Legend | 8.00 |
| Invictus Gaming | 8.00 |
| Weibo Gaming | 17.00 |
| Team WE | 21.00 |
| EDward Gaming | 21.00 |
| LGD Gaming | 31.00 |
| ThunderTalk Gaming | 34.00 |
| Ninjas in Pyjamas | 41.00 |
| LNG Esports | 67.00 |
LPL 2026 Split 3 FAQ
- When is the LPL 2026 Split 3?
LoL Pro League 2026 Split 3 is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, July 22, with the first games of the group stage. The regular season will run until August 23, before the action moves to the playoffs.
- Who are the favourites to win the LPL 2026 Split 3?
The defending champions, Bilibili Gaming, are billed as the main favourites to win the third and final split of the season. Top Esports, JD Gaming, Anyone’s Legend, and Invictus Gaming join the list of serious contenders as dangerous outsiders.
- Where can I find betting odds for the LPL 2026 Split 3?
Betting odds for LPL 2026 Split 3 are available on all major esports betting sites. Stake stands out as one of the top options, offering competitive odds, great market coverage, as well as free streaming options and in-play betting markets.