Karmine Corp Blue and Los Ratones have been announced as the two European Regional League (ERL) representatives for the inaugural LEC 2026 Versus event.
The League of Legends event makes its debut in early 2026, replacing the Winter Split as part of wider format changes to the top tier of EMEA competition.
Karmine Corp Blue is the academy team of French esports organisation Karmine Corp. Its main League of Legends roster is one of ten LEC partner teams that are also competing in LEC 2026 Versus.
On November 2nd, 2025, Karmine Corp Blue won EMEA Masters 2025, defeating Los Heretics in the Grand Final. As a result of winning the event, the team has earned a place at LEC 2026 Versus alongside its main team.
Los Ratones has also secured a place in the tournament. The organisation, founded by Marc Robert ‘Caedrel‘ Lamont, earned its place for its performances across the ERL season. Throughout 2025, it has won three NLC titles and two EMEA Masters championships.
LEC 2026 Versus Format
The additions of Karmine Corp Blue and Los Ratones take the total number of LEC 2026 Versus teams to 12. These teams will compete in single-round-robin matches to determine a place in the Playoffs.
The top eight teams from the regular season will compete in a double-elimination bracket to determine the eventual champion. In addition to the lion’s share of the prize pool, the winner qualifies for the 2026 First Stand Tournament, the first international tournament of the 2026 season.
Since launching in 2024, Los Ratones has become one of Europe’s most popular League of Legends teams despite not competing in the LEC. Its appearance at LEC 2026 Versus marks the first time the organisation has featured in the highest tier of competition.
Its popularity has seen interest in regional competitions skyrocket, with over 220,000 viewers tuning into NLC 2025 Spring.
