Riot Games has officially announced the return of League of Legends Game Changers Rising for 2026, bringing back the EMEA competition designed for players identifying as women with a revamped structure, a longer season, and expanded opportunities for teams across the region.
The LoL Game Changers Rising 2026 edition will run from May through October, significantly extending the competition compared to last year’s debut season. The matches officially begin on May 29-31, with teams competing across multiple stages to earn qualification points and advance in the overall standings.
Unlike the previous edition, which ran for roughly a month, this year’s format introduces a longer competitive circuit, where teams will need to deliver consistent performances across multiple stages to secure playoff qualification.
At the end of the campaign, the top six teams in the standings will secure their spots in the October Playoffs. The developer also confirmed that additional teams from existing national inclusive competitions will receive invitations, strengthening connections between regional circuits and the wider EMEA ecosystem.
The return of the competition follows the success of the inaugural Game Changers Rising season, where Eterna claimed the championship, defeating G2 Hel after a strong playoff run. Riot says the goal for this year is not only to expand the level of competition but also to continue building meaningful pathways for women pursuing opportunities in professional League esports.
In its announcement, Riot emphasized that inclusivity remains a central pillar of the initiative, describing the tournament as an effort to create an environment where women across EMEA can compete at a high level while gaining visibility and recognition within the scene.
The developer said it will once again work with N.E.O as the tournament’s licensing partner. This year, Riot and N.E.O are introducing co-streaming and community broadcasting opportunities, allowing creators and community casters to become more involved with the tournament throughout the season.
Teams interested in competing can now register ahead of the opening stage later this month by visiting here, while Riot says more details regarding the full format, scheduling, and competitive structure will be revealed in the coming weeks.
