LPL gets its dream scenario: IG and BLG are in the same bracket, the popularity battle continues, and TES may actually be in danger.

Hello to all LPL fans and League of Legends Summoners, this is Tianxia Game Club.

The third stage of the LPL Pro League is coming to a close. Following a string of headline matches, the top teams' standings are now quite clear, and during this period, the LPL revealed the playoff format.

After the rules were released, a particularly intriguing detail surfaced, which is closely related to how teams are distributed across the playoff brackets.

LPL’s fantasy scenario: IG and BLG in the same bracket

The clash between IG and BLG previously became one of the most talked-about topics, as BLG, despite having a huge lead in the deciding game, lost to IG after a dramatic teamfight, ending the match in an upset. BLG struggled and lost all three tough matches, while IG rebounded strongly, defeating both TES and BLG after their loss to AL.

BLG, who was originally in first place, ended up handing over the top spot to TES. Currently, TES leads the top four, followed by BLG and IG, with AL in fourth place.

According to the LPL playoff rules, the top four teams can each pick their opponents from the teams that advanced through the “Knights’ Road.” The first and fourth seeds will be placed in the same bracket, while the second and third seeds will be in the other bracket.

In other words, if the top four in the LPL end up being TES, BLG, IG, and AL, then BLG and IG will be in the same bracket. This would be a dream scenario for the LPL, as matches between IG and BLG, especially after all the dramatic storylines this year, have become the league’s biggest draws. The more they play, the more the organizers benefit.

Ranking outlook: IG’s risk of stumbling

Let’s break down the current standings. First, TES sits at the top with a 10-2 record and only two matches left against FPX and WE. Both are considered easy wins, so TES is very likely to secure first place if they win both, which is highly probable.

BLG currently has 8 wins and 3 losses, with three matches remaining against JDG, FPX, and IG. The match against IG, postponed earlier due to a typhoon, will be the final showdown in the Summit Group.

If BLG can regain their form, they have a strong shot at finishing second or third. JDG hasn’t been doing well, and FPX has performed poorly in this stage. BLG is expected to lock in the second or third seed. If they get revenge on IG, they’ll likely take second; but if IG beats them again, BLG will settle for third.

IG, having played one less match, still faces four opponents: FPX, WBG, WE, and BLG. IG is known for unexpected losses. There’s a scenario where they could drop to fourth—if they lose a match before facing BLG, say, to WBG, and then lose to BLG as well. Five losses could allow AL, if they win out, to overtake them.

If AL takes fourth, TES could actually be in trouble

Finally, AL sits at 7 wins and 5 losses, with two matches left against JDG and WE. If they win both, they still have a chance to surpass IG, as they currently trail by three small points. If IG goes 2-2 in their remaining matches and AL maximizes their point tally, it’s possible for AL to move up.

To sum up, the LPL’s top four will likely be these teams. TES is the favorite to finish first, and it’s highly probable that BLG and IG end up in the same bracket. IG’s remaining matches will be key to final placements.

Personally, if the current standings hold, TES could actually be in a risky spot, since AL doesn’t look like an easy playoff opponent. While BLG and IG are also tough, AL was the winner of the second stage, so TES will be under significant pressure.

Overall, with these four teams in the playoffs, predicting the outcomes is extremely difficult. All four are quite inconsistent—each could perform brilliantly or suffer a sudden upset.

Given all this, what fans are most looking forward to is a quick IG vs. BLG clash within the same bracket. That way, we’ll get a definitive result and see who comes out on top. Right now, the LPL thrives on this kind of excitement, and it’s tough to expect a truly dominant team to emerge.