Everything to know about the LoL Riftbound first English Regional Qualifier

Riot Games has revealed more details about the first English Regional Qualifier of LoL Riftbound in Houston, Texas.

From prizes, casting, where to watch and more, here is everything to know about the tournament for the trading card game.

According to the blog post by Riot Games, more than 1,300 players have signed up to compete in Regional Qualifier, with others signing up for side events. The event will run this weekend from December 5th to 7th.

The tournament’s main event features a $25,000 (~£18,770) prize pool, with first place walking away with $6,000 (~£4,500) in winnings and cash payouts to players that finish through 32nd place. Additionally, the champion will receive the Miss Fortune foil card, Buccaneer alt art, and a Miss Fortune-themed playmat.

Throughout the event, ‘Best-Of Prizing’ will also be up for grabs. For each of the 16 Champion Legends from Riftbound Origins: Proving Grounds that are legal in this event, the highest placing player using that champion will receive a unique holographic metal card that it tournament playable.

The top finishers in the Regional Qualifier will progress to the Regional Championship, where the top players will secure a spot in the Riftbound World Championship, the crowning event of the competitive scene.

A line-up of casters, comprised of Riftbound designers, will provide coverage of the event on Riftbounds YouTube and Twitch channels. Additionally, Riftbound has also launched a social media account on X (formerly Twitter) for coverage beyond the Houston event, including updates, interviews, behind the scenes and more.

Riot Games also detailed updates to tournament procedures and integrity moving forward to 2026 and beyond.

It shared that starting from next January, it will release monthly updates to tournament rules, ranging from three to six week intervals. Riot Games establishes that tournament rule updates will always roll out two weeks before going into effect to allow its competitors enough time to adjust.

One of the first changes that will come into effect with the Houston Regional Qualifier is changes to missing triggers. Rule 506.3 will be amended from players announcing triggers when they occur to revealing them when they have an ‘observable impact on the game.’

Additional details, including integrity rules, FAQs and more can be found on Riot Games web page.

Following the end of the Houston event, the next two Regional Qualifiers will be held in Bologna from February 20th to 22nd, 2026, and Las Vegas from February 27th to March 1st, 2026.