Mid-Season Invitational Tournament Preview & Betting Tips

The stage is set for Mid-Season Invitational 2026, the second international tournament of the League of Legends season and one of the biggest esports events of the year.

Set to kick off on Sunday, June 28, MSI 2026 will be held in Daejeon, marking the tournament’s return to South Korea for the first time since 2022, when Royal Never Give Up won their third MSI trophy.

This year’s tournament will feature 11 LoL teams from all major regions, including Korea, China, North America, Europe, and the Pacific. They will clash for the coveted trophy and the biggest slice of the US$2,000,000 prize pool.

The tournament will feature a familiar format, starting with the Play-In stage, where runners-up from all leagues except the LoL Pro League will battle through a best-of-five double-elimination bracket for one ticket into the bracket stage.

The bracket stage will continue with a double-elimination bracket, with all games played as best-of-five, including the grand final on Sunday, July 12.

With everything ready for MSI to kick off, Esportbet brings you a free tournament preview and expert LoL betting picks, along with odds courtesy of the top-rated bookmakers.

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Mid-Season Invitational 2026 outright odds

• T1 – $3.25
• Hanwha Life Esports – $3.40
• Bilibili Gaming – $4.50
• Top Esports – $8.00
• G2 Esports – $10.00
• LYON – $21.00
• Team Secret Whales – $24.00
• FURIA – $26.00
• Karmine Corp – $34.00
• Team Liquid – $41.00
• Deep Cross Gaming – $67.00

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Mid-Season Invitational 2026 teams to watch

T1

The reigning world champions enter the Mid-Season Invitational as the team to beat, with the best LoL bookmakers having them listed at the shortest price on the outright markets.

That does come with a few questions, as T1 failed to win the LoL Champions Korea spring trophy after falling to Hanwha Life Esports. Still, that does not take away from the fact that T1 field some of the best players in the world in their respective roles.

T1 are also known for stepping it up on the international stage. Their versatility and ability to adapt to meta changes should play a big role, so barring any major surprises, T1 should at least make a deep run on home soil.

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Hanwha Life Esports

Hanwha Life Esports emerged as the strongest team in the LCK, securing a 3-1 victory over T1 in LCK Road to MSI.

They had issues throughout the spring split, but Hanwha Life rounded into form just in time to make a run through the playoffs.

Known for their strong solo lanes, Hanwha Life Esports have all the tools needed to deliver in Daejeon and hoist their first MSI trophy. The big question, however, is whether they can perform as well on the international stage as they did domestically, which has been a stumbling block in the past.

Bilibili Gaming

Bilibili Gaming are China’s strongest team and head to South Korea with high goals of continuing their Golden Road, having won both LPL splits and First Stand.

BLG had a solid run in LPL Split 2, but they also showed cracks, including a few no-show games. That lack of consistency could come back to bite them at MSI, although quality-wise, BLG have everything needed to dominate.

With arguably the strongest solo lanes in the world, BLG do not have any clear weaknesses. And with Knight quickly making a name for himself as the world’s best player, it is hard to ignore Bilibili Gaming and their chances of going all the way in July.

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G2 Esports

No Mid-Season Invitational preview is complete without mentioning the possibility of an LEC team’s miracle run. However, in the case of G2 Esports, they do not need a miracle to impress.

Despite looking much weaker than Hanwha Life Esports, T1, and Bilibili Gaming on paper, G2 Esports have the qualities needed to make noise.

Individually, G2 can challenge anyone, and they also have the added strength of being highly adaptable and versatile. That often gives them an edge on new patches, where unique compositions and quick reads can swing games.

Karmine Corp

Karmine Corp are listed as the third-least likely team to win MSI. And even though KC winning the event would be a major upset, the LEC squad look severely underrated.

Karmine Corp were the only team in the LEC to cause G2 Esports consistent issues, and they came extremely close to securing the tag of Europe’s top dogs.

The gap between G2 and KC is not as large as it may appear, and given the quality of the players on this roster, Karmine Corp can make some noise. Starting in the Play-In stage does not bode well for their chances of winning MSI or even reaching the bracket stage, but they are not to be underestimated.

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Mid-Season Invitational 2026 predictions

Outright bet – T1 to win

T1 did not win the LCK spring trophy, but they are not a team to underestimate. They field one of the most experienced rosters in the world and are known for improving quickly on their mistakes.

While a new patch will introduce some volatility, T1 also have an advantage over other teams here, as they will start their campaign in the Play-In stage. That gives them at least three best-of-five games to test out the patch and improve ahead of the main event.

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Unlike other top contenders, T1 rely more heavily on their bottom lane, which could lead to some interesting strategies when they clash with BLG and Hanwha Life Esports. But it is very difficult to argue with the fact that T1 have everything they need to hoist the trophy.

Outsider bet – G2 Esports to reach the final

Priced at $10.00 on the outright markets, G2 Esports are given just a 10% implied probability of winning their second MSI trophy. Considering T1, Bilibili Gaming, and Hanwha Life Esports will stand in their way, that makes sense.

On the other hand, G2 Esports have the individual talent to challenge anyone and remain one of the more flexible teams in the world. That has always given them an edge in international events.

Moreover, G2 will likely avoid either Bilibili Gaming or T1 in the upper bracket, as the two titans are set to clash on the other side of the bracket, creating an easier path to the big finale.

A title run for the LEC champions would be a surprise, but G2 reaching the final is more than manageable.