Backlog report, updated 14 October 2026. Riot’s 2026 Stage 2 format sent the lower eight Americas league teams into a double-elimination play-in with four Challenger representatives: M80, Fluxo, BESTIA and 2GAME. The top four play-in teams would join the four direct group qualifiers in the playoffs. For SEN, this was a dangerous route, not a ceremonial detour; its season ended after play-in losses to ENVY and KRÜ.
The TGN read
I support SEN, so I am not going to pretend the bracket was unfair because the results were ugly. The Challenger teams had earned their shot through separate regional events. Established organisations needed to beat them or accept the consequences. Long term, that pressure should improve team-building more than a protected league schedule would. It also makes the qualifier stories worth following: the play-in is where their claims meet the old guard.
Which Challenger had the clearest plan to upset a league team? Follow TGN and join the conversation on your preferred channel.