Look Sports Media – The extended League of Legends esports offseason is finally drawing to a close, and the anticipation for the LEC’s return is palpable. This year marks a fresh start, not with the traditional Winter Split, but with Riot Games’ innovative 12-team LEC Versus event kicking off the EMEA season. Amidst this exciting prelude, teams have been diligently reshaping their rosters, though a curious trend emerged: every LEC squad opted to retain their existing jungler. As we peer into the competitive landscape of 2026, our Senior Analyst offers a comprehensive evaluation of each team’s offseason maneuvers, excluding the two LEC Versus guest participants, Los Ratones and Karmine Corp Blue.
Fnatic: C
A strategic shift was undeniably overdue for Fnatic, and their recent acquisitions suggest a potential pivot towards a more promising trajectory. The recruitment of former LEC MVP Vladi signals a clear statement of intent; at his peak, he possesses the caliber to finally end the organization’s prolonged championship dry spell. Promising rookie toplaner Empyros and the potentially astute signing of Lospa, known for his strong engages, add intriguing layers. However, the latter two remain relatively unproven commodities in the LEC, and Vladi’s historical inconsistency presents a significant question mark. Should Vladi reclaim his game-carrying form while Upset maintains his reliable performance, Fnatic could emerge as a formidable contender in 2026. Conversely, the delicate balance of this new lineup could just as easily unravel.
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G2 Esports: A
The reigning LEC Summer Split champions, G2 Esports, have wisely chosen continuity, preserving their entire roster for the 2026 season. It’s difficult to argue against this decision, given their dominant performance. While rumors circulated about an opportunity to sign world-class jungler Kacper "Inspired" Słoma, G2 reportedly declined. Their choice to continue nurturing Skewmond, potentially due to Inspired’s more self-centric playstyle and rumored backstage intensity, appears to be a shrewd long-term investment. G2 undoubtedly enters the new year as the team to beat in the LEC.
GIANTX: C
GIANTX’s decision to maintain an unchanged roster for the upcoming season is a bold declaration of faith, deserving of respect. In an ecosystem often driven by rapid player turnover, it’s uncommon for a team outside the top tier to commit to player development and synergy building. The addition of retired jungler Nubar "Maxlore" Sarafian as coach could be a game-changer, potentially unlocking ISMA’s full potential. After consistently finishing fifth in all three LEC Playoffs last year, the onus is now on the players to demonstrate tangible improvement and elevate their performance.
Karmine Corp: B+
Karmine Corp’s disappointing conclusion to the previous year has prompted significant roster overhauls. Securing former FlyQuest support Busio is widely anticipated to be one of the season’s most impactful signings, representing a substantial upgrade on paper. Crucially, Busio doesn’t occupy an import slot, enabling the team to bring in another international talent in Korean midlaner Kyeahoo. The raw talent within this squad is undeniable, as is the pedigree of new coach Bok "Reapered" Han-gyu. However, the critical factor for KCorp’s 2026 success will be how effectively these individual talents coalesce into a cohesive unit.
Movistar KOI: A
Movistar KOI, the third and final LEC team to retain its full roster, automatically positions itself as a title favorite alongside G2. Having clinched the Spring Split championship and represented the region at MSI and LoL Worlds 2025, the strength of this lineup is irrefutable. Indeed, this roster is capable of even greater achievements; their performance at Worlds suggested they could have advanced further, particularly against KT Rolster. Securing Elyoya on a long-term contract is a particularly vital move for the organization, allowing him to further expand his already impressive legacy.
Natus Vincere: B
NAVI has implemented substantial changes to its LEC lineup following a challenging debut split where they failed to secure a single victory, albeit with only three games to make an impression. Following the earlier acquisition of promising rookie jungler Rhilech, Maynter joins as another rookie with considerable upside. The signing of Poby is a significant coup; he showcased strong performances on Fnatic, adapting well despite the surrounding team turbulence. While the team’s initial synergy remains an unknown, this roster possesses high potential. A gradual start followed by rapid improvement seems a plausible trajectory.
Shifters (Team BDS): D
Team BDS endured a difficult 2025, culminating in a swift 3-0 sweep by GIANTX in the LEC Summer Playoffs. With Ice’s form reportedly declining, the decision to sign another Korean ADC, Paduck, makes logical sense. Trymbi’s return to Europe after helping Vivo Keyd Stars reach Worlds could also be a substantial boost. While these appear to be minor upgrades on paper, there’s insufficient evidence to suggest that the newly rebranded Shifters will experience significantly better fortunes in 2026.
SK Gaming: B
SK Gaming presents arguably the most intriguing roster for the upcoming season. The organization has entrusted Mikyx with the reins, allowing him to construct a team aligned with his vision. Significant questions linger regarding Wunder’s ability to recapture his peak form and whether LIDER can finally translate his mechanical prowess into consistent competitive success. Jopa, while a promising ADC, represents another calculated risk. However, if anyone can foster his development, it’s Mikyx. This roster is poised for either spectacular success or an absolute collapse. Yet, after failing to reach any Playoffs last year, their willingness to embrace such a transformative approach is commendable.
Team Heretics: C-
Team Heretics has brought in two bright prospects in Tracyn and Serin, while retaining Sheo could prove to be immensely beneficial for the team’s stability. The departure of Víctor "Flakked" Lirola Tortosa is somewhat surprising, given his solid contributions to last year’s Summer Playoffs squad. However, Ice, if he can rediscover his form, possesses a higher ceiling.
Team Vitality: C
Team Vitality has made just one change, but it’s a potentially significant one with the addition of Humanoid. The team’s atmosphere should be positive, as Humanoid and Carzzy share a strong friendship and previously secured an LEC title together with MAD Lions. While it’s a shame to see the promising Mateusz "Czajek" Czajka return to the ERLs, an in-form Humanoid is undoubtedly one of EMEA’s premier players. Building upon the impressive showings of their rookies last year, this Vitality squad could surprise many.
This comprehensive analysis, presented by looksports.media, sets the stage for what promises to be an electrifying 2026 LEC season. The varied approaches to roster construction highlight the diverse philosophies within the league, ensuring a captivating narrative as teams battle for supremacy.
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