
HLE is the First LCK Team to Qualify for Worlds 2026
Hanwha Life Esports ( HLE ) is the first LCK team to qualify for League of Legends’ Worlds 2026. Let’s recap.
Caps, one of EMEA’s most influential League of Legends players, has officially joined Riot Games’ Hall of Legends as its 2026 inductee.

Caps is Riot Games’ 2026 Hall of Legends inductee. Image Credits: Riot Games via Website
This year, G2 star Caps will become the next Hall of Legends inductee. Here’s everything to know about this League of Legends milestone, and how Riot Games is celebrating it.
On August 16, 2026, Riot Games announced its next Hall of Legends award recipient: Rasmus “Caps” Winther. Kicking off two years ago, the Hall of Legends aims to celebrate the most influential players and personalities in Riot esports titles, those who have made an indelible mark on the game.
In 2024, Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-Hyeok became the first athlete to ascend the ranks. Botlaner Uzi was next. Now, Caps will join them with an official trophy.
Caps, a midlaner who has also played ADC, is widely known as one of League of Legends‘ strongest EMEA players. Traditionally, the LCK and LPL have dominated the international stage. Only one European team has won Worlds since the tournament began (Fnatic in 2011). However, Caps proved himself as an opponent who can stand head-to-head with the strongest Korean and Chinese teams, thriving in global events.
LoL Esports’ official page wrote, “The King of Europe, now a legend forever. Welcome to the Hall of Legends, Caps.”
In an official news release commemorating the event, Riot wrote:
“Riot Games is honored to announce Rasmus “Caps” Winther as the third inductee into the LoL Esports Hall of Legends. Known as a beacon of hope whose legacy reshaped what the West believed was possible on the global stage, Caps becomes the first Western League of Legends pro to earn the distinction.”
The studio emphasized his “rare blend of elite skill, creativity, and authenticity” and his status as the “most decorated player in European League of Legends history.”
Riot Games’ statement also took note of Caps’ personality and outlook on the game: “Off the Rift, Caps’ warmth, humility, and sense of camaraderie have made him a beloved figure among teammates and fans alike. In an era where many chased established trends, Caps became a beacon of hope for the West: living proof that individuality, joy, and creativity can compete at the highest level.“
Chris Greeley, Global Head of LoL Esports, called Caps “the player you could never fully prepare for […] he has that rare ‘it’ factor, the ability to rise in the biggest moments through his playmaking, leadership, and calming presence under pressure. Caps has inspired an entire generation of Western players and earned the respect of fans around the world. He’s not just one of the greatest League of Legends players of all time, he exemplifies everything we hope our esports heroes can be.”
Caps will receive his Hall of Legends trophy during a formal ceremony on August 18 in Berlin, Germany.
Though he has played for a variety of teams, Caps is most well-known for his time on Fnatic and G2 Esports. He has stayed with the latter org since 2018, becoming a mainstay in its lineup. He has placed second in two consecutive World Championships: Worlds 2018 and Worlds 2019. This was one of the first eras where players saw EMEA as a real threat on the international stage. CaPs has also qualified for every Worlds for the past four years, and eight Worlds in total. It’s looking like this streak will stay active in 2026, as the team is sitting comfortably near the top of the regional Season leaderboard.
Outside of Worlds, Caps is known for demolishing the LEC and LCS circuits, consistently sweeping to first-place finishes. His 2026 performance continues this pattern, and G2 notably crushed the EMEA Esports World Cup qualifier. The team also scored a 2nd-place finish at First Stand, where they defeated GEN.G in the semifinals but lost out to BLG.
When Caps’ Hall of Legends nomination officially goes through, League of Legends will update with an in-game event where players can earn rewards. The patch will include an event pass, “that will guide players throughout his career and dedicated cosmetic items.” Riot Games will provide updates soon.
Stay tuned for more League of Legends esports and in-game news.

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