League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational 2026 Predictions
LoL MSI 2026 predictions - our picks, dark horses and bracket predictions
At the end of June, the best League of Legends (LoL) Esports teams in the world will head to Daejeon, South Korea, for the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). All matches are covered at Stake Sportsbook, with a range of betting markets to choose from. Before making your picks, check out our expert analysis and opinions on teams to watch.
Our outright winner prediction for LoL MSI 2026
T1 is our outright pick at Stake for LoL MSI 2026 winner. As the current World Champions, it’s hard to argue with the fact that T1 is one of the strongest teams in the world right now. Although they have to progress through the play-in to reach the bracket stage, they’re still joint favourites to win. That’s because they have an excellent record in high-pressure tournaments and one of the most talented rosters in the competition.
With the Fearless Draft in effect, teams must change their champions for each game of a series. T1 have a particularly large champion pool, with a roster adept at using multiple champions to execute strategies perfectly. We predict that Faker, widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, will be key to T1 winning MSI 2026.
T1 and the LCK path to a third MSI title
T1 are one of the most dominant teams in the history of professional League of Legends. They secured a three-peat by winning the 2025 World Championship, and they also have 2 MSI titles. However, T1 hasn’t won the MSI since 2017. Last year, they finished runners-up in the MSI, losing 3-2 to Gen.G Esports in the Grand Final.
This year, T1 finished as runners-up in the LCK 2026 Road to MSI tournament, losing out to Hanwha Life. As a result, they have to do things the hard way, playing through the play-in stage to be in with a chance of winning the 2026 MSI. However, this could give them an advantage as they build rhythm and momentum before facing the best teams in the bracket stage.
Dark horse picks and outright value bets
G2 Esports - Europe's best MSI hope
G2 Esports impressed at this year’s First Stand tournament, finishing as runners-up to Bilibili Gaming. They enter the 2026 MSI as Europe’s top seed, having won the LEC Spring Split and previously won the MSI in 2019. G2’s roster has been together since the 2025 season, and features talented players like Caps, SkewMond and Hans Sama.
Bilibili Gaming and LPL's second string
Bilibili Gaming are currently the number one team in China, having won Split 1 and 2 of the LPL this season. They also took an international title already this year, beating G2 Esports to win the 2026 First Stand Tournament. Although they’ve never won the MSI, they’re currently the joint-favourites to win the tournament with T1. However, Bilibili Gaming are arguably a better value pick, as they’ll start in the bracket stage and play fewer games.
Wildcard teams worth a look
Team Secret Whales - After dominating the 1st and 2nd Splits of the LCP, Team Secret Whales enter the MSI 2026 bracket stage. They finished 12th-14th in last year’s World Championship and 7th-8th at the 2026 First Stand tournament. Don’t write them off, as they have a great roster and are in excellent form.
FURIA - This is FURIA’s 2nd time competing at the MSI, after they finished 10th last year. They just won the Americas Cup and CBLOL Split 1, putting them directly into the bracket stage for this tournament. They’re a big underdog, but they could potentially cause an upset in the early rounds.
Play-In stage predictions
The play-in stage gets underway on 28 June as T1 take on Team Liquid while Karmine Corp face Deep Cross Gaming. The double elimination format gives teams a chance to progress even if they lose their opening match. Every match is a Bo5 series, which gives the strongest team the best chance of advancing.
T1 Esports is our LoL MSI group stage betting pick. They’re heavy favourites to beat Team Liquid in the opening match of the tournament. Meanwhile, Karmine Corp are our match winner pick against Deep Cross Gaming in Round 1 of the play-in.
T1 should comfortably get past Karmine Corp in Round 2, while we predict them to beat any team that advances through Round 3.
Bracket stage and knockout predictions
The bracket stage gets underway on 3 July. Like the play-ins, it’s a double-elimination bracket, which gives teams a chance to progress even if they lose a match. This offers more LoL MSI knockout stage betting opportunities, since there are more games. Just like the play-in stage, matches are played to the best of 5 games.
Early rounds predictions
Bilibili Gaming take on the play-ins winner in the very first round of the Upper Bracket. We’re predicting this to be T1, who we’re picking to win. Meanwhile, G2 Esports face Top Esports. Our prediction is that Top Esports will comfortably win this one, sending G2 down to the Lower Bracket.
Late rounds predictions
Our late-round match predictions start with Top Esports facing T1 in the Upper Bracket Final. Meanwhile, we think that Bilibili Gaming will play Secret Whales in the Lower Bracket Final. We’re predicting T1 to beat Top Esports and then face Bilibili Gaming in the Grand Final.
MVP and player prop picks for MSI 2026
Faker is the obvious choice for the MVP betting market on MSI 2026. If T1 win the tournament, he’ll most likely have the biggest impact and the best chance of winning the MVP award. However, other possible candidates include Knight of Bilibili Gaming and Viper or Zeka of Hanwha Life.
Player prop bets are also available on Esports events . At MSI 2026, you can choose from markets such as first blood, highest CS in a single game, highest average damage per game and highest KDA.
Where to bet on LoL MSI 2026
All matches for the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational 2026 are covered at Stake. You’ll find pre-match and live betting odds available throughout the tournament, as well as outright betting markets. Be sure to go through our MOBA betting guide to understand how to bet on LoL markets.
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