Updated 15 October 2026, before the final-four matches. Champions Shanghai has four teams left and no champion yet. Riot schedules LOUD versus Team Vitality and G2 versus 100 Thieves for 16 October, the lower-bracket final for 17 October, and the grand final for 18 October. The last two opponents and the tournament MVP are still to be decided. Please do not turn a bracket prediction into a results headline.
G2 and 100T have already shown each other their cards
G2 beat 100T 2–0 in their 8 October playoff meeting. G2 then lost 0–2 to Vitality, survived T1 2–1, and now face 100T again. The Thieves reached the rematch by beating Nongshim RedForce 2–1 and NRG 2–0. That is a better story than calling this another first meeting with a fresh scouting report. G2 have proof their first plan can work; 100T have a week of evidence about where it failed.
I am biased toward G2, but the useful question is whether they can win after 100T adjust. If the opening looks identical, the rematch becomes a test of mid-series calls, not who brought the louder entrance. For 100T, vora’s longer-term leadership test is how the team answers a known opponent under elimination pressure. The bracket does not owe my favourites a happy ending. Annoying, but fair.
LOUD versus Vitality: the route to the final
LOUD beat Paper Rex 2–0 and NRG 2–1 in the playoffs. Vitality came through Nongshim RedForce 2–1 and then beat G2 2–0. Their 16 October meeting decides one grand-final berth; the loser still has the lower-final route on 17 October. I want to see which side can repeat its strong defaults after the opponent has had the dark days to study them. A great one-off read is nice. A system that survives a second look is how organisations stay dangerous next season.
And yes, TenZ will be there
Riot lists TenZ as captain of a 17 October finals-weekend showmatch team. I will tune in. I will also keep that appearance separate from the competitive bracket: it does not make him a current Sentinels starter or decide the world title. The real final is on 18 October, and the MVP will be named after it.
My pick is G2 to survive the rematch, but 100T have a real adjustment window. What is the one change you expect from either side? Follow TGN on your preferred channel and tell me which series deserves a watchalong.