[CN] BSC26 China Finals Preview: 4 Teams, 2 LCQ Spots

3 days ago
4 min read

Following an intense Elimination Round on June 27, we now know the four teams advancing to Mainland China's final regional circuit event of the year, the Chinese Mainland Finals. TOC, Ace Xero, Toxic Lotus, and IrisOut emerged as the final four teams, securing their spots in the Finals scheduled for July 25 on LAN (in-person) starting at 08:00 UTC. This article takes a closer look at these four competing teams as they prepare for the final stage. With only two LCQ spots available under a double-elimination format, the stakes could not be higher for the participating teams. Unlike previous years, this year’s LAN finals will not feature a live audience. All matches will be played in a studio room, with fans being able to watch the games via online livestream.

Ace Xero: Galaxy, David, Coldrink

Ace Xero have been one of the breakout teams of the season, ending Toxic Lotus’ three-year dominance and securing Monthly Finals titles in February, March, and April. Formed in February, AXR made an immediate impact by winning their debut Monthly Finals. While early skepticism questioned whether their success was a one-off, their three consecutive titles firmly established them as a top-tier team, earning them a place at the Brawl Cup representing China. Ahead of the Brawl Cup, AXR launched their official website and released team jerseys, further expanding their presence within the community.

Following the event, internal roster changes saw Coldrink and Nagi swap teams, allowing AXR to return to the championship-winning lineup from the January community tournament “猫小判杯”. This move generated significant discussion across the region. However, due to roster lock restrictions, AXR were forced to withdraw from the May Monthly Finals and placed 3rd-4th in the June Monthly Finals in a five-set loss to TOC.

Ace Xero have been China's #1 team this year, but they haven't been able to replicate their early show of form since adding Coldrink, who has been waiting for his chance to rejoin Galaxy since the beginning of 2026. Despite this setback, AXR entered the Elimination Round as the region’s top seed in June and successfully advanced from Group A to the July Finals. They advanced as the second seed from their group with a convincing win over former teammate Nagi on Dark Spirit and a forfeit win from TIG, but found themselves unable to overcome TOC once again as they lost their match in five sets.

TOC: DiuQiang, XPR, Dynamike

TOC emerged as one of the most impactful teams this season, capturing the June Monthly Final title after defeating Ace Xero. The team name originates from DiuQiang’s connection as a student of a TL TOC player, adding an extra layer of narrative as both mentor and student teams reach the finals.

Earlier in the season, TOC consistently fell short against top contenders, often missing out at crucial moments. After finishing seventh in the standings following the May Monthly Final, the team made significant improvements through focused practice. Their breakthrough came in June, where they claimed the championship and surged to fourth place in the standings, ultimately advancing from Group A in the June Elimination Round. Three statement wins over Ace Xero and Toxic Lotus have put TOC in a prime position to carry their momentum all the way to LCQ on their home turf.

Toxic Lotus: TOC, OU, Engine

As one of the most established teams in the region, Toxic Lotus dominated the CN scene for three consecutive years with an undefeated record and secured the May Monthly Final title this season. Although they struggled against AXR in the early months of the year, TL demonstrated resilience at the Brawl Cup, fighting until the final moments in a highly competitive death bracket.

After returning to domestic competition, TL quickly regained form, winning in May and finishing as runners-up in June. They now sit level on points with AXR, ranking second due to head-to-head results, and successfully advanced from Group B in the June Elimination Round.

IrisOut: Valentine, Expression, Shadow

IrisOut have been one of the most consistent teams throughout the 2026 season, regularly reaching the Monthly Finals top eight under the single-elimination qualification system. However, they had repeatedly been eliminated at that stage, unable to progress further.

Entering the July playoffs ranked seventh in the standings, IrisOut made significant strides through roster adjustments and intensive preparation. Their efforts paid off as they emerged as one of the season’s dark horses, advancing from Group B in the June Elimination Round to the Finals.

Format Explained

With four teams competing for just two LCQ qualification spots, the competition has reached its most intense stage. The two teams that will emerge from the double-elimination bracket remain to be seen. Each team will have two lives in the tournament with their first match seeded based on the standings from the elimination round. Teams that win two matches before they lose two matches will claim a coveted spot to the Last Chance Qualifier this fall in China, the city of which has not been announced as of this publication. The Grand Finals match will determine the 2026 Chinese Mainland Champions and earn the team the first seed from the region heading into LCQ.

Opening Matches:

TOC (Group A #1) vs IrisOut (Group B #2)

Toxic Lotus (Group B #1) vs Ace Xero (Group A #2)

The bracket is show below: