HLE defeat Bilibili Gaming to win MSI 2026 as a LCK team lifts the trophy a fifth time

Hanwha Life Esports has won the 2026 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational, defeating Bilibili Gaming 3-2 in a dramatic five-game grand final on Sunday, July 12, and securing the fifth MSI title for South Korea’s League of Legends Champions Korea league (LCK).

The victory marked a measure of revenge for Hanwha Life, which had fallen to Bilibili Gaming in the tournament’s upper-bracket final earlier in the event. Facing the Chinese League of Legends Pro League (LPL) representative once again with the championship on the line, the Korean squad emerged victorious after a back-and-forth series that demanded all five games to decide a winner.

Hanwha Life defeats Bilibili Gaming, winning the MSI 2026 Grand Final 3-2

Hanwha Life entered MSI 2026 as the LCK’s top seed after posting a 15-3 regular-season record and carrying that momentum through the Road to MSI qualification tournament.

The team opened its campaign with victories over Team Secret Whales and G2 Esports, advancing through the upper bracket without dropping a game. That unbeaten run ended when Bilibili Gaming secured a win in the upper-bracket final, sending Hanwha Life into the lower bracket and forcing the team to take the longer route to the championship.

Hanwha Life responded by winning a five-game lower-bracket final against LYON to earn a rematch against Bilibili Gaming in the grand final.

The championship series lived up to expectations. Bilibili Gaming showcased its strength throughout the match, particularly in victories during Games 2 and 3, but Hanwha Life answered each challenge to keep the series within reach.

With the teams tied 2-2, the tournament came down to a decisive fifth game. The turning point arrived when Hanwha Life jungler Seo "Kanavi" Jin-hyeok secured a crucial Baron steal, denying Bilibili Gaming a major objective and shifting momentum in his team’s favor.

Hanwha Life capitalized on the advantage, controlling the closing stages of the game before destroying the final Nexus to secure the organization’s first MSI title. Top laner Choi "Zeus" Woo-je, now a three-time international tournament winner, was named Finals MVP after delivering a standout performance throughout the series.

The championship represents the biggest international achievement in Hanwha Life Esports’ history and adds another trophy to the LCK’s record of success at MSI.

Both Hanwha Life Esports and Bilibili Gaming will quickly turn their attention to the Esports World Cup 2026, which begins Wednesday. The event will feature 16 teams competing for another international League of Legends title.