Aggressive League of Legends is again this week for the 2026 season, with LEC Versus kicking off this weekend.
Changing the Winter Cut up, Karmine Corp Blue and Los Ratones will play in LEC Versus as a part of the brand new 12-team occasion.
We at ENUK have graded the LEC groups’ roster modifications, now it’s time to see how the brand new line-ups carry out.
Right here’s what to anticipate from every crew within the first week of LEC Versus 2026.
Fnatic
January seventeenth vs Los Ratones
January 18th vs SK Gaming
January nineteenth vs NAVI
Fnatic are a tough crew to evaluate in some methods. Although historical past says they’ll have some excessive highs, however in the end fall wanting a trophy.
New Fnatic LEC signing Vladimiros ‘Vladi’ Kourtidis is set to interrupt the organisation’s trophy drought.
The brand new roster actually has the potential to take action, however bedding in three new signings doesn’t all the time make for a straightforward begin to the season.
On paper Fnatic ought to 3-0 the primary week, however coach Fabian ‘GrabbZ’ Lohmann says the crew will “give ourselves time to develop healthily.”
Nonetheless, something lower than a 2-1 will see followers instantly ringing alarm bells.
G2 Esports
January seventeenth vs MKOI
January 18th vs GIANTX
January nineteenth vs SK Gaming
The reigning LEC champions, G2 had been the primary European crew to the LoL Worlds Knockouts since 2021.
With a totally unchanged roster, G2 should be the title favourites this 12 months. Particularly for Versus, as different groups make modifications.
Nonetheless, their first two matches are in opposition to groups that additionally haven’t modified rosters: MKOI and GIANTX.
MKOI will doubtless be G2’s closest opponents this cut up and will probably be a really tough opener that would go both manner.
In any other case, G2 ought to win the opposite two matches, particularly if jungler Rudy ‘SkewMond’ Semaan kicks on and builds from his good type on the finish of final 12 months.
GIANTX
January seventeenth vs Shifters
January 18th vs G2
January nineteenth vs Staff Heretics
An unchanged roster from a crew across the center of the pack is a daring transfer, however might repay in LEC Versus for GIANTX.
With pre-built synergy, they need to have the benefit over most of their opponents within the first weeks of the season.
The crew confirmed numerous promise, and British ex-LEC professional now assistant GIANTX coach Nubar ‘Maxlore’ Surafian ought to assist hone that expertise.
Anticipate GIANTX to make a sizzling begin, however it will be a shock in the event that they ultimately break into the highest 4 long run.
Karmine Corp
January seventeenth vs KCorp Blue
January 18th vs MKOI
January nineteenth vs Los Ratones
One of the crucial thrilling rosters this 12 months, KCorp made a large signing by securing former FlyQuest assist Alan ‘Busio’ Cwalina.
Korean midlaner Kang ‘Kyeahoo’ Yea-hoo is much less of a identified amount however needs to be gifted to have been part of LCK’s DRX.
These two signings would possibly want time to settle in, so Week 1 video games in opposition to each ERL friends might show massively helpful.
KCorp would possibly construct momentum and turn out to be very tough to cease. The match in opposition to MKOI will probably be an excellent indicator of their present stage.
Karmine Corp Blue
January seventeenth vs KCorp
January 18th vs Los Ratones
January nineteenth vs Staff Vitality
Followers aren’t actually anticipating a lot from Karmine Corp Blue in LEC Versus.
They would be the EMEA Masters champions and the crew that embarrassed Los Ratones 3-0.
Nonetheless, most of that roster has moved on, although gifted American jungler Johnny Hoang ‘Yukino’ Dang.
Something can occur in a best-of-one, and Yukino has the power to take over video games and earn the crew a couple of shock wins.
However don’t anticipate rather more from this crew.
Los Ratones
January seventeenth vs Fnatic
January 18th vs KCorp Blue
January nineteenth vs KCorp
There’s understandably numerous pleasure over the LEC debut of Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont’s Los Ratones.
Particularly with the likes of Martin ‘Rekkles’ Larsson and Tim ‘Nemesis’ Lipovšek returning to the league.
Nonetheless, followers ought to mood their expectations. Los Ratones’ early recreation was all the time a problem, and laning appears extra necessary in 2026.
But, Caedrel claims Los Ratones LEC scrims are going effectively and believes the crew will maintain their very own.
The crew will definitely deliver the leisure, and debuting in opposition to a contemporary Fnatic roster is the right alternative to trigger a serious upset.
Movistar KOI
January seventeenth vs G2
January 18th vs KCorp
January nineteenth vs Shifters
One of many title favourites this 12 months, the unchanged line-up ought to be a pressure to reckon with.
Final season was a narrative of almosts as MKOI got here agonisingly near upsetting eventual LoL Worlds finalists KT Rolster.
The one addition is Welsh ex-LEC professional Barney ‘Alphari’ Morris as MKOI’s new assistant coach.
He has been introduced in to assist the crew’s early recreation after MKOI ranked fifth in LEC Summer time for gold distinction at quarter-hour (212).
Natus Vincere
January seventeenth vs Staff Heretics
January 18th vs Staff Vitality
January nineteenth vs Fnatic
Natus Vincere (NAVI) have a really new roster and numerous potential, however it could take time to shine by means of.
Enes ‘Rhilech’ Uçan is a really robust jungling prospect, and Volodymyr ‘Maynter’ Sorokin was some of the promising prime lane prospects obtainable.
Plus, former T1 Academy and Fnatic midlaner Sung-won ‘Poby’ Yun is a large coup. Nonetheless, his former coach says he isn’t very vocal.
In a slightly inexperienced crew, the query is, who would be the voice for the squad? Apparently, it’s assist Polat Furkan ‘Parus’ Çiçek.
With uncooked expertise, NAVI might simply be a darkish horse this 12 months. The roster in all probability wants longer to click on, anticipate them to choose up some wins, however stay inconsistent total.
Shifters
January seventeenth vs GIANTX
January 18th vs Staff Heretics
January nineteenth vs MKOI
The rebranded model of Staff BDS. With a really strong bot lane duo and mid laner on paper, Shifters could possibly be a reasonably good crew.
Nonetheless, not quite a bit is at the moment anticipated of the organisation that completed seventh final Summer time and hasn’t made many upgrades.
Nonetheless, an out-of-form Yoon ‘Ice’ Sang-hoon in all probability harm BDS final 12 months, and LCK CL runner-up Paduck might show to be a monster.
With MKOI dealing with two very tough matches, their focus could also be elsewhere, which might result in an enormous surpirse win for Shifters.
SK Gaming
January seventeenth vs Staff Vitality
January 18th vs Fnatic
January nineteenth vs G2
This 12 months’s wildcards, SK Gaming might simply be difficult the highest 4 or struggling to make Playoffs.
The long-awaited return of former MSI winner Martin ‘Wunder’ Hansen could possibly be an enormous coup, however it’s arduous to understand how good he’s after a 12 months away from the LEC.
The modifications to mid lane might permit Adam ‘LIDER’ Ilyasov to roam extra usually on his signature melee picks, which could possibly be large with Mihael ‘Mikyx’ Mehle’s roams.
SK might have very excessive highs however these opening week fixtures is likely to be an excessive amount of too quickly for the brand new roster.
Staff Heretics
January seventeenth vs NAVI
January 18th vs Shifters
January nineteenth vs GIANTX
Holding maintain of Théo ‘Sheo’ Borile could possibly be large for Staff Heretics, however the crew doesn’t look that thrilling on paper.
But, they’ve been given probably one of many best opening week schedules for LEC Versus.
All three matches are good alternatives for rookie signings Sebastian ‘Tracyn’ Wojtoń and Tolga ‘Serin’ Ölmez to indicate their high quality.
But when Ice continues to wrestle like he did final 12 months, anticipate this crew to be rooted close to the underside.
Maybe that’s too pessimistic. Heretics have an excellent academy and know their new skills effectively, possibly they’ll surpirse everybody.
Staff Vitality
January seventeenth vs SK Gaming
January 18th vs NAVI
January nineteenth vs KCorp Blue
Staff Vitality shouldn’t be underestimated.
Their younger gamers proved their high quality final 12 months and Marek ‘Humanoid’ Brázda is a really robust midlaner.
Nonetheless, Humanoid can also be generally inconsistent and is well-known for foolish deaths.
In best-of-ones, anticipate this crew to have numerous variance. They’re as able to beating prime groups as they’re of recording foolish losses.
Their first match in opposition to SK Gaming ought to be very explosive. Anticipate combined outcomes from Vitality to begin.
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