The 2025 League of Legends World Championship: Celebrating 15 Years of Esports Legacy
The 2025 League of Legends World Championship marks a monumental 15-year anniversary of League of Legends (LoL) esports. As always, Worlds serves as the ultimate battleground where the finest teams from diverse leagues across the globe compete for the revered title of World Champion. This year, the festivities return to China, underscored by a vibrant theme: EARN YOUR LEGACY. This rallying cry emphasizes that glory is not handed out; it must be seized.
For fifteen years, the Championship has delivered unforgettable moments—epic plays, dramatic comebacks, and stories of perseverance that have influenced regions and fashioned legends. As we prepare for this year’s tournament, a fresh roster of emerging talents and seasoned veterans are poised to craft the next chapter in this illustrious tale.
Tournament Structure: Unpacking Worlds 2025
The competitive landscape of the 2025 World Championship consists of three distinct stages: the Play-In Stage, the Swiss Stage, and the Knockout Stage. Each stage is designed to test the mettle of participating teams and provide fans with exhilarating gameplay.
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Play-In Stage: Kicking off on October 14, the Play-In Stage operates on a Best of Five (Bo5) format, hosted in Beijing.
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Swiss Stage: Beginning on October 15 and running through October 25, this stage features a mix of Best of One (Bo1) and Best of Three (Bo3) matches. The match schedule is strategically timed to accommodate both regional and international audiences.
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Knockout Stage: From October 28 to November 9, the top teams from the Swiss Stage will battle in Best of Five matches, with quarterfinals taking place across two Chinese cities, Shanghai and Chengdu, culminating in the Grand Finals on November 9.
Teams Competing for Glory
League of Legends’ vibrant community is reflected in the diverse lineup of teams representing various regions. This year’s participants include:
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China (LPL):
- Bilibili Gaming (BLG)
- Anyone’s Legend (AL)
- Top Esports (TES)
- Invictus Gaming (IG)
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Korea (LCK):
- Gen.G (GEN)
- Hanwha Life Esports (HLE)
- KT Rolster (KT)
- T1 (T1)
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EMEA (LEC):
- G2 Esports (G2)
- Movistar KOI (MKOI)
- Fnatic (FNC)
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Americas (LTA):
- FlyQuest (FLY)
- Vivo Keyd Stars (VKS)
- 100 Thieves (100T)
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Asia-Pacific (LCP):
- CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO)
- Team Secret Whales (TSW)
- PSG Talon (PSG)
Swiss Stage Dynamics
After the Play-In Stage, the tournament transitions into the Swiss Stage, sparking excitement and anticipation among fans.
Swiss Round Details
- Matchups will be determined based on seeding, with an innovative structure this year that allows the Play-In results to influence tier placements.
- Teams will face opponents with matching records, ensuring every match is meaningful and competitive, while also avoiding repeat encounters.
The draw format rewards dominance, ensuring that teams who perform well are matched against others who have also succeeded, creating a crescendo of competitive spirit leading up to the knockout rounds.
Special Viewer Engagement: Drops and Rewards
The excitement extends beyond the matches themselves, as the 2025 Championship reintroduces Drops—exclusive in-game rewards available to viewers. Spectators can unlock unique emotes and items during pivotal Moments throughout the tournament. This year, the Drops include a variety of themed emotes linked to key events such as Pentakills or Baron steals, making the viewing experience even more engaging.
Twitch Subscriptions and Interactive Features
For fans looking to immerse themselves further into the action, subscribing to participating Twitch channels offers a host of perks such as ad-free viewing, unique emotes, and chat badges. The funds generated will support the broader League of Legends esports ecosystem, ensuring that the competitive scene continues to thrive.
Co-Streaming Opportunities
Worlds 2025 also promises to host the largest co-streaming program in its history. In collaboration with over 100 content creators, fans can select their preferred personalities to watch the tournament alongside, enriching the communal experience. This initiative allows fans to engage with a diverse range of perspectives while enjoying the matches.
Interactive Predictions with Pick’ems
Fans will have the opportunity to participate in Pick’ems, a fun, interactive way to predict match outcomes and earn rewards. This year’s format introduces exciting features like Community Factions, where fans can align with their favorite creators for collective scoring. With dynamic options like predicting match records, the Pick’ems feature fosters a sense of community and competition among viewers.
In-Game Promotions and Offerings
The 2025 Championship is not just about the matches; it also features unique in-game promotions. This year includes a spotlight on new skins and team-branded emotes, as well as a limited-time sale of skins used by the winning team during the finals, allowing players to celebrate their favorite competitors while enhancing their gaming experience.
Official Merchandise: Celebrating Legacy
In honor of the 15 years of League of Legends esports, the official Worlds 2025 merchandise collection will be available starting October 13. Fans can purchase commemorative apparel and accessories themed around the trials and triumphs of the Championship, allowing them to proudly showcase their support.
Partner Contributions
The success of the Worlds 2025 Championship is bolstered by the generous support of numerous global partners. Brands such as AWS, Mastercard, and HyperX contribute to creating an unmatched experience for both in-person attendees and remote viewers, showcasing technological advancements that enhance the viewer experience.
This year’s World Championship promises to be a spectacular celebration of not just esports but also the rich tapestry of stories, heroes, and moments that have unfolded over the past fifteen years. Engage in the action—we’re on the brink of witnessing history in the making!
