Dplus KIA are the League of Legends champions of the Esports World Cup 2026. On July 19, at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the Korean squad swept Karmine Corp 3-0 in the Grand Final, claiming the $600,000 prize and extending Korea’s winning streak at the EWC LoL title to three consecutive years.
The result gives the South Korean roster its first LAN tournament win of the 2026 season and its first major international trophy since 2020.
Both teams entered the tournament as underdogs. Both rewrote every expectation placed on them. Only one walked away with the trophy.
The Road to the Grand Final
Dplus KIA’s Path
Dplus KIA’s run started in the Group Stage lower bracket after a loss to AG AL. The team then posted consecutive best-of-three sweeps over FURIA and G2 Esports to reach playoffs, followed by a quarterfinal upset of Bilibili Gaming and a semifinal win over Esports World Cup 2025 winners Gen.G.
Before the tournament, Dplus KIA were not necessarily the most obvious favorite. The organization is currently going through a difficult phase, is in the middle of a sale process, and recently even had to confirm reports about delayed salary payments. On the Rift in Paris, however, none of that showed. DK played at the EWC with a level of clarity the organization had not shown in a long time.
Karmine Corp’s Path
Karmine Corp reached the Grand Final after remarkable runs through the Playoffs, upsetting LPL powerhouse AG.AL in the quarterfinals before sending T1 crashing out in front of a roaring home crowd in the semifinals.
The French organization entered their home final as the crowd favorite. The Paris crowd was deafening for KC from the first minute. Dplus KIA entered the arena to boos. None of it mattered.
Grand Final Game-by-Game
Game 1
Karmine Corp’s Yike secured the first kill of the game by ganking top lane to take down Siwoo’s Tristana. Dplus KIA responded by taking down Yike’s Lee Sin and Canna’s Vayne, and in subsequent skirmishes, Smash’s Kai’Sa continued to pick up kills and grow. Dplus KIA, clearly ahead in objective control including Dragons and Baron, solidified their lead by winning a mid teamfight, securing another Baron, and ultimately defeating Karmine Corp to take the first game.
Game 2
DK edged a close game two after a late Karmine Corp mistake. KC showed signs of life in the second game, pressing into the match and creating moments that gave the Paris crowd hope. A critical late-game error from the French side handed DK the close win.
Game 3
Dplus KIA set the tone from the outset. The first game took 31 minutes, and almost throughout the entire thing, DK suffocated KC. The second game was much the same, with Dplus KIA pushing to a dominant 18-8 scoreline for the win.
By the time the third game concluded, there was no doubt about the result. DK won in three straight, clean and controlled from start to finish.
Smash Named SONY MVP
Bottom laner Shin “Smash” Geum-jae was named SONY MVP and received an additional $25,000. The 19-year-old finished the tournament with an 8.1 KDA statistic. “I’m so excited right now, I’m so happy,” Smash said after receiving the award. “It’s also my birthday in Korea. This is a phenomenal birthday.”
ShowMaker’s First International Title Since Worlds 2020
The only member of the roster with a previous championship, ShowMaker Heo Su kept his promise after saying he hoped to win and “protect the LCK’s standing.” “I am glad to win again after five years,” he said.
ShowMaker, reminiscent of his Worlds 2020-winning form when he stood among the best midlaners in the world, led a Dplus KIA that did not steal this victory. The team earned it by taking down MSI finalists and Gen.G on its way to the title.
Prize Money and Club Championship Points
Dplus KIA claimed the $600,000 grand prize and 1,000 points toward the Club Championship.
Karmine Corp collects 750 points as runner-up. Gen.G secured third place over T1 with a 2-1 win, collecting $220,000.
Note: Dplus KIA is not participating in the Club Championship at EWC 26. The Korean organization’s results will not be included in the Club Championship standings.
Viewership
The League of Legends Grand Final peaked at 1,449,163 concurrent viewers.
What the Win Means
DPlus KIA’s win extended Korea’s winning streak at the EWC LoL title to three years, following T1’s win in 2024 and Gen.G’s in 2025.
For a team fighting off-field distractions and playing through internal organizational uncertainty, lifting the EWC trophy in Paris is a result that stands apart from anything else in DK’s recent history. The performance on the Rift in front of an openly hostile Paris crowd, sweeping the home favorite 3-0, makes it more significant still.
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