Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage in Malaysia time: 15 teams wait in Texas as Karmine Corp and MVK fight for last spot

The main event of the 2026 League of Legends World Championship gets under way on Friday, 23 October in Allen, Texas, and 15 of the 16 Swiss Stage places are already filled. The last spot goes to the winner of the Play-In final between Karmine Corp and MVK Esports, scheduled for 2am Malaysia time on Monday, 19 October. This guide follows on from the earlier Play-In schedule piece and looks ahead to the next stage.

Who is already through

Korea's LCK sends Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports, T1 and Dplus Kia, while China's LPL is represented by Anyone's Legend, Bilibili Gaming, Top Esports and Invictus Gaming.

From Europe come G2 Esports and Movistar KOI, and North America's LCS sends Team Liquid and LYON. Brazil's CBLOL champions LOS are the region's only remaining team after FURIA were knocked out of the Play-In.

For Southeast Asian fans, the Asia-Pacific LCP has Team Secret Whales and CTBC Flying Oyster in the Swiss Stage. If Vietnam's MVK Esports beat Karmine Corp, the LCP would have three teams in the main event.

How the Swiss Stage works

The Swiss Stage is played over up to five rounds. Teams with the same win-loss record are paired against each other each round. Three wins sends a team through to the knockouts, and three losses means elimination.

Most matches are best-of-one, but series that decide whether a team advances or is knocked out are played as best-of-three. Eight teams will come through to the single-elimination quarter-finals. The draw for the opening round is expected shortly after the Play-In final.

Malaysia start times

The Swiss Stage runs from 23 to 31 October at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center, which holds around 8,100 fans. For the first block of days, play starts at 10am Pacific Time, which is 1am in Malaysia on the following day. That means the opening matches on 23 October US time begin at 1am Malaysia time on Saturday, 24 October.

Later Swiss days on 28 to 30 October start at 1pm Pacific Time, or 4am in Malaysia the next morning, before the final Swiss day on 31 October returns to the 10am Pacific start. Malaysian fans planning to watch live should expect early-morning viewing throughout the stage.

Road to Brooklyn

After the Swiss Stage, the quarter-finals and semi-finals also stay in Allen, Texas, before the tournament moves to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, for the final on Saturday, 14 November. That final is due to start at 11am Pacific Time, which is 2am in Malaysia on Sunday, 15 November.

The total prize pool is US$5 million, with US$1 million for the world champions and US$800,000 for the runners-up.

Key takeaways

• The Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage runs from 23 to 31 October in Allen, Texas.
• Opening matches start at 1am Malaysia time on Saturday, 24 October.
• Team Secret Whales and CTBC Flying Oyster represent the LCP, with MVK able to join them.
• The Play-In final between Karmine Corp and MVK is scheduled for 2am Malaysia time on 19 October.
• The final is in Brooklyn on 14 November US time, 2am on 15 November in Malaysia.

FAQ

When does the Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage start in Malaysia time? The first matches begin at 10am Pacific Time on 23 October, which is 1am in Malaysia on Saturday, 24 October.

How many wins does a team need to leave the Swiss Stage? Three wins send a team to the quarter-finals; three losses mean elimination.

Which Asia-Pacific teams are in the Worlds 2026 Swiss Stage? Team Secret Whales and CTBC Flying Oyster, with MVK Esports able to join them by winning the Play-In final.

Sources: esports.gg, Insider Gaming, Wikipedia, Sheep Esports