Dplus KIA win EWC 2026 after a 3-0 against Karmine Corp.
Dplus KIA are the League of Legends champions of the Esports World Cup 2026. In the Grand Final in Paris, the Korean team gave Karmine Corp no chance and won the series clearly 3-0. For DK, it is the organization’s first international title since winning Worlds 2020 – and for Europe, another promising run ends in a bitter final.
Dplus KIA Play Their Cleanest Tournament in Years
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. Their path to the title was anything but easy: Dplus KIA defeated G2 Esports, Bilibili Gaming, and Gen.G on their way to the final, before also beating Karmine Corp convincingly in the Grand Final. This was not a lucky run through an easy bracket, but a statement against several major names.
Heo “ShowMaker” Su was especially central to that run. The former world champion at times reminded fans of the era when DAMWON Gaming dominated the international League of Legends stage. For ShowMaker personally, this title is also hugely important: it is his first major trophy since LCK Summer 2021 and a moment that reminds DK fans of old times after several difficult years.
Karmine Corp Find No Answer in the Final
For Karmine Corp, this final was still a huge step. After a disappointing MSI, where the team already failed in the Play-In Stage, KC played a much stronger tournament in Paris. The win against Anyone’s Legend in the quarterfinal was important, while the victory over T1 in the semifinal was a real statement. In front of a home crowd, suddenly almost anything seemed possible.
But in the final, DK were simply a level too high. Karmine Corp never really got into the series, rarely found control over the map, and were put under pressure early in all three games. Dplus KIA were better prepared, executed their drafts more cleanly, and punished almost every mistake. What still looked like an emotional breakthrough against T1 in the semifinal was not even enough for a close game against DK.
Caliste “Caliste” Henry-Hennebert summed up the mood after the series honestly. Immediately after the 0-3, disappointment dominated, especially because KC could not win a single game in front of their own fans. At the same time, the team’s overall tournament remains valuable. Karmine Corp showed at the EWC that they can compete internationally – just not yet against a DK in this form.
Europe’s Next Bitter Final
For Europe, the result is difficult to evaluate. On the one hand, another European team has reached an international final. After G2 Esports at First Stand 2026, this is already the region’s second international final of the year. On the other hand, this final also ends in a clear defeat.
The old problem remains: Europe is getting closer to the top again, but the final step is still missing. KC can still enter the LEC Summer Split with confidence. The team outshone G2 internationally, defeated T1, and proved in front of a home crowd that it is more than just a loud fanbase. Especially with the Summer Playoffs in France ahead, this run could still become important.
A Title With Real Significance for DK
For Dplus KIA, the EWC title comes at an almost perfect time. From a sporting perspective, the triumph brings back memories of the old DAMWON identity: clean macro decisions, strong individual players, decisive teamfights, and barely any panic moments. Economically, the success could also matter. An international title, especially against teams like BLG, Gen.G, and KC, certainly does not make the organization less attractive to potential investors.
Of course, the Esports World Cup is not the same as Worlds or MSI. Historically, this title will be judged differently. Still, the run matters. DK did not just win a show tournament, but dominated a strong event and defeated some of the biggest names in the scene.
In the end, this EWC is mainly a reminder that Dplus KIA have not disappeared. The organization may be in transition, but on stage in Paris, DK once again looked like a team that can win titles. For Karmine Corp, there is pain, but also progress. For Dplus KIA, there is the trophy – and maybe the beginning of a new chapter.