The stage is set for the final showdown of the League of Legends Pro League season, as China’s top teams prepare for LPL Split 3.
Scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 22, LPL 2026 Split 3 is the third and final split of the season, and the final faceoff of China’s elite LoL teams, who will battle it out for the trophy and invites to the LoL World Championship.
The final split of the season will feature only 12 squads instead of 14, as Oh My God and Ultra Prime, Split 2’s bottom finishers, did not secure invites for the final split of the season.
This, however, will not change the balance of power in the league, keeping the usual suspects in Bilibili Gaming, Top Esports, JD Gaming, Anyone’s Legend, and Invictus Gaming sitting firmly atop the power rankings.
While the list of potential title candidates is relatively short, having five serious contenders ensures that LPL 2026 Split 3 will be another competitive affair, offering plenty of unforgettable moments and numerous betting opportunities to explore.
As China’s top teams prepare for Split 3, the main question everyone is asking themselves is the same as in the previous split – not so much whether Bilibili Gaming can hoist the trophy, but whether there is any team that can stop them?
Here is our free LPL 2026 Split 3 betting preview, with all the information you’ll ever need, including format, favourites, outright odds and expert betting picks.
When Does LPL 2026 Split 3 Start?
LoL Pro League Split 3 kicks off on Wednesday, July 22, with the first games of the group stage. The split will run for just over a month, concluding with the final game of the regular season on August 23, before the top squads move deeper into Split 3 and enter the final race for the trophy.
LPL 2026 Split 3 Format
LPL 2026 Split 3 is divided into three phases, including the group stage, Knights Rivals, and the playoffs.
The action begins with the group stage, where the 12 squads are divided into either Group Ascend or Group Nirvana, based on their placement in Split 2.
Group Ascend features the top eight performing teams, while Group Nirvana will welcome the remaining four squads.
Both groups are double round robin with all matches played as best-of-three (BO3) and the Fearless Draft rule in place.
Based on the teams’ placement in their respective groups, the squads will secure more favourable seeding for the latter stages of the split.
The top two teams from Group Ascend will get a semifinal bye and the next four squads a spot in the upper bracket quarterfinals.
The bottom two Ascend teams will join the top two Nirvana teams in Knights Rivals, where they’re placed in a double-elimination bracket. In Knights Rivals, the teams will play a series of best-of-five games to determine which two teams will proceed to the playoffs.
LPL 2026 Split 3 playoff is a double-elimination bracket. All games are played as best-of-five, including the grand finals.
Group Stage
- 12 teams
- Two double round-robin groups
- Group Ascend has eight teams and Group Nirvana four
- All games are best-of-three (BO3) with Fearless Draft
- Ascend’s top two teams get a semifinal bye
- The next four teams proceed to the upper bracket quarterfinals
- Bottom two Ascend teams and top two Nirvana teams in Knights Rivals
- Bottom two Nirvana squads are eliminated
Knights Rivals
- Four teams
- Double-elimination bracket
- Best-of-five (BO5) games with Fearless Draft
- Two winners advance to the playoffs
Playoffs
- Double-elimination bracket
- All matches are BO5 with Fearless Draft
LPL 2026 Split 3 Favourites & Odds
LPL 2026 Split 3 promises to be the most competitive split of the season, with five teams billed as serious title contenders.
| 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 | 29.00 |
| LGD Gaming | 31.00 |
| ThunderTalk Gaming | 34.00 |
| Ninjas in Pyjamas | 41.00 |
| LNG Esports | 67.00 |
To no one’s surprise, Bilibili Gaming sit atop the power rankings as the team to beat. They’ve emerged as the most dominant team in the Chinese LoL league, having now won three consecutive LPL titles without facing much resistance, on top of leaving a strong impression at First Stand (1st) and the Mid-Season Invitational (2nd).
Fielding some of the best players in their respective roles, and proving they can perform on the biggest stages, Bilibili Gaming are not to be overlooked as potential Summer champions.
However, while BLG have proven time and time again that they have the tools to make a run for the trophy, they’re not the only team in the mix.
Top Esports emerged as the LPL Split 2 second-best team, and enter the final split expected to make another deep run. The issue with Top Esports, however, is their lack of consistency, as shown both in their run to the LPL Split 2 finals and at the Mid-Season Invitational.
A quality team, but with cracks in armour other squads will look to exploit.
When talking about potential champions, JD Gaming and Anyone’s Legend can’t be ignored. Both teams have had their flashes of greatness in Split 2, but ran out of steam in the playoffs, both suffering eliminations at the hands of Bilibili Gaming.
Despite failing to keep up with BLG, Anyone’s Legend and JD Gaming are unquestionably talented enough to make a run.
JD Gaming could be viewed as LPL’s no.2, despite finishing Split 2 in fifth-sixth place.
The main reason for that is JDG’s noticeable improvement throughout this season, and looking at the players on the roster, it is very easy to trust JDG and that they’ll continue to improve.
Invictus Gaming join the list of title contenders as a bit of an enigma. While they struggled to show much in Split 2, IG have welcomed back mid laner Rookie and top laner The Shy for Split 3, adding two experienced veteran players who can help elevate Invictus Gaming’s level of play.
How much the duo can help IG reach their goals of winning the LPL, however, is up for debate.
Where to Watch LPL 2026 Split 3?
To watch LPL 2026 Split 3, esports fans can visit most streaming platforms and look for LPL markets. Alternatively, top-rated bookmakers like Stake will offer free streaming options along with in-play betting markets for the complete live viewing experience.
- Visit Stake
- Register with Stake code NEWBONUS or log into your account
- Open the LoL section and LPL markets
- Enjoy the live stream and explore in-play markets
Where to Bet on LPL 2026 Split 3?
To bet on LPL 2026 Split 3, esports fans can visit any online esports bookmaker. As one of the most popular LoL leagues, LPL enjoys excellent coverage from betting platforms, ensuring that you do not have to look far to find a site to place LPL bets.
While there are many options, Stake stands out as an excellent choice, offering highly competitive odds, great market coverage, free streaming, and various bonuses and promotions for new and existing users.