LCK teams hold the strongest position among traders due to South Korea's longstanding regional depth and consistent international success, even among mid-table squads. The three invited LCK sides—typically the fifth through seventh seeds—benefit from a talent pipeline that produces competitive rosters capable of advancing through the Swiss stage and Bo5 knockouts in Beijing. LPL squads follow closely, drawing on China's large player pool and recent form, while LEC, LCS, LCP, and CBLOL representatives face steeper challenges against Eastern competition despite solid domestic showings. Slot allocations tied to MSI 2026 results further underscore LCK and LPL advantages, with the October 3–17 hybrid format favoring teams with proven adaptability in mixed online-offline play. Market pricing reflects this hierarchy of regional strength rather than any single recent result.