The first series of the League of Legends 2026 World Championship featured Europe's Karmine Corp against North America's Cloud9. The teams went the full five games, with Karmine Corp ultimately winning 3-2.
Cloud9 held a clear advantage in the first game. Karmine Corp's two bottom laners both finished with a score of 0/6/1, and the team only managed one kill. In the second game, Cloud9 once held a gold lead of around 7,000 but lost their advantage during a fight over the Dragon, allowing Karmine Corp to even the score.
Cloud9 then reached match point first, but Karmine Corp tied the series again. In the decisive final game, Karmine Corp's mid laner kyeahoo delivered a standout performance on Ahri, which proved key to their victory.
After this five-game series, both teams still need to wait for the results of the MVK Esports vs. FURIA match, as their next opponent has yet to be determined.