Notable shifts in Vietnamese and international esports this week

This week, the esports scene witnessed several notable events, from a heavy penalty for League of Legends: Wild Rift player NaiLiu from Chinese Taipei, the new roadmap for TFT APAC, to changes in the Play-In format of Worlds 2026. All directly impact the Vietnamese gaming community.

Flash Wolves heavily penalize NaiLiu for personal scandal

NaiLiu, a legend of Wild Rift in Chinese Taipei, has received a severe penalty from Flash Wolves. According to an official announcement, the player is suspended indefinitely and fined 500,000 New Taiwan Dollars after a cheating scandal was exposed. The incident shocked the Vietnamese Wild Rift community, as NaiLiu was once an idol for many players due to his outstanding individual skills. This serves as a wake-up call for professional players regarding personal image responsibility.

TFT APAC Season 18: Mystic Grove roadmap

Riot Games has just released the detailed roadmap for TFT Esports APAC Season 18 with the theme "Mystic Grove." The tournament is scheduled from July to September 2026, with a total prize pool of up to 2 billion VND. Vietnamese teams such as V Gaming and CERBERUS Esports have begun preparing strategies. The highlight of the season is the introduction of the "Legendary Trial" mechanic – a random element that can change the game's outcome. Fans hope Vietnamese players will leverage home advantage to secure tickets to the world finals.

League of Legends Classic is gradually losing appeal

A study from VuaBong.vn shows that the number of League of Legends Classic players has decreased by 15% compared to the previous quarter. The main reasons are the lack of new content updates and competition from other MOBA titles like Wild Rift and Dota 2. Amateur tournaments also recorded a decline in viewership. However, Riot Games has no plans to discontinue Classic servers in Vietnam yet. Many veteran players express regret as the "legend" fades.

Knight wins LPL Split 3 MVP, BLG dominates All-Pro team

In LPL Split 3, mid-laner Knight of Bilibili Gaming officially won the MVP title with an impressive KDA of 8.2 and a kill participation rate of 75%. BLG also dominated the All-Pro team with 4 out of 5 positions, missing only support. This achievement solidifies BLG's position as a top contender for the 2026 World Championship. The Vietnamese LoL community is particularly interested in Knight due to his map-control playstyle – something Vietnamese players need to learn.

New Play-In format for Worlds 2026: Opportunities and challenges

Riot Games officially announced the new Play-In format for Worlds 2026, where 4 minor regions (including Vietnam) will compete for 2 spots in the group stage instead of 1 as before. This opens great opportunities for VCS – Vietnam's leading league – as they only need to pass the Play-In to enter the group stage. However, challenges are also significant: Vietnamese teams must face strong representatives from PCS, LLA, and CBLOL. According to VangBong.vn analysis, VCS's Power Index currently ranks 2nd among the 4 regions, just behind PCS. If teams like GAM Esports or Team Secret maintain their form, the group stage ticket is within reach.

In summary, this week brought both good news and challenges for Vietnamese esports. From NaiLiu's penalty, the new TFT roadmap, the decline of LoL Classic, to Knight's achievements and opportunities from Worlds 2026, all demonstrate the industry's continuous growth. Fans have reasons to expect a brighter future for Vietnamese players on the international stage.