The 2026 League of Legends World Championship is heading to the United States with a $5 million prize pool on the line.
All 19 participating teams will walk away with a guaranteed financial reward, ensuring even the first eliminated squad receives a payout for reaching the international stage.
The newly crowned world champions will take home a cool $1,000,000—representing 20% of the entire prize fund—while the runners-up will secure $800,000. Beyond the coveted Summoner's Cup and international acclaim, a $200,000 difference separates first and second place.
Progressing into the knockout stage offers a substantial financial boost. Quarterfinalists (5th–8th place) will each earn $300,000, compared to the $175,000 awarded to squads bowing out in the latter stages of the Swiss format (9th–11th place)—a key $125,000 incentive to cross the threshold into the top eight.
LoL Worlds 2026 Prize Pool Breakdown
Place | Cash Prize Per Team |
1st | $1,000,000 |
2nd | $800,000 |
3rd-4th | $400,000 |
5th-8th | $300,000 |
9th-11th | $175,000 |
12th-14th | $125,000 |
15th-16th | $90,000 |
17th | $70,000 |
18th | $40,000 |
19th | $30,000 |
Historical Comparison: Is 2026 an All-Time Record?
While $5 million represents a massive baseline figure compared to recent editions, it falls short of the all-time tournament record set at Worlds 2018, where the total prize pool peaked at $6.45 million thanks to in-game item crowdfunding.
Year | Total Prize Money |
2026 | $5,000,000 |
2025 | $5,000,000 |
2024 | $2,225,000 |
2023 | $2,225,000 |
2022 | $2,225,000 |
2021 | $2,180,500 |
2020 | $2,340,000 |
2019 | $2,225,000 |
2018 | $6,450,000 |
Discover more from bet365
Read the latest eSports news.
