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League of Legends World Championship 2025 – China

Every October, the League of Legends World Championship—better known as Worlds—takes center stage as the pinnacle of competitive League. In 2025, the most prestigious esports tournament returns to China, bringing together the world’s best 17 teams to battle for the Summoner’s Cup.

This year is especially historic. With Riot Games introducing a new competitive structure, the Fearless Draft format, and expanded global representation, Worlds 2025 promises to be unlike any tournament before it. Whether you’re a diehard esports fan or a casual League player, this guide breaks down everything you need to know.

Tournament Overview

  • Dates: October 14 – November 9, 2025
  • Host Countries & Cities:
    • Beijing (Play-In & Swiss Stage)
    • Shanghai (Quarterfinals & Semifinals)
    • Chengdu (Grand Final)
  • Total Teams: 17
  • Prize Pool: $5,000,000 (a record high)
  • Defending Champions: T1 (LCK, Korea) — back-to-back winners in 2023 and 2024

Tournament Format

The 2025 Worlds format consists of three major stages:

1. Play-In Stage

  • A single best-of-five showdown between the LCK 4th seed and the LPL 4th seed.
  • The winner secures the 16th spot in the Swiss Stage.
  • Why it matters: Both Korea and China are considered the strongest regions. This early duel is essentially a mini-finals match before the main event even begins.
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Key Insight: Expect intense drafts here, as both teams will want to make an early statement. Since Fearless Draft is in play, strategies will revolve around deep champion pools—teams must prepare not just for Game 1, but for all possible games in the series.

2. Swiss Stage

  • 16 teams compete in a Swiss-system format.
  • Teams play until they reach 3 wins (advance) or 3 losses (eliminated).
  • Matches are best-of-one early, but best-of-three for qualification/elimination games.

Why It’s Exciting:

  • No two teams face the same opponent twice.
  • Every game feels high-stakes.
  • Upsets are common—last year, Western teams shocked Korean and Chinese giants in Swiss play.

Teams to Watch in Swiss:

  • T1 (Korea): Defending champions, led by Faker.
  • Bilibili Gaming (China): LPL powerhouse, known for aggressive play.
  • G2 Esports (EMEA): Western fans’ favorite, Europe’s long-standing hope.
  • LOUD (Americas): Brazil’s breakout stars, proving smaller regions can shine.

3. Knockout Stage

  • 8 teams advance from Swiss.
  • Single-elimination bracket.
  • All matches best-of-five.

Key Insight: This is where the Fearless Draft will truly shine. In long series, champion diversity decides who adapts best. Teams that rely too heavily on comfort picks will struggle. Expect spicy off-meta picks as strategies evolve across a series.

4. The Grand Final in Chengdu

  • Scheduled for November 9, 2025.
  • Held at Dong’an Lake Sports Park Multifunctional Gymnasium.
  • The first Worlds final in China to be played in a fully indoor venue, maximizing crowd atmosphere and noise.

If previous finals are any indication, this will be a spectacle of lights, music, and esports history—Riot is expected to feature a live musical performance (following in the footsteps of Imagine Dragons, Lil Nas X, and K/DA).

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Fearless Draft – Game-Changer at Worlds 2025

Worlds 2025 introduces Fearless Draft for the first time at the global stage:

  • Once a champion is picked by either team in a series, it cannot be picked again in that same series.
  • Example: If a team plays Ahri in Game 1, neither side can pick Ahri for the remainder of that best-of series.

Why This Matters:

  • Forces teams to show depth across multiple champions.
  • Rewards flexible players and creative coaches.
  • Prevents repetitive drafts (no more 5 games of the same champ).

Expect to see unconventional champions rise in importance. Players like Faker (T1), Knight (BLG), and Caps (G2) with huge champion pools will have a massive advantage.

Regional Powerhouses to Watch

Korea (LCK)

  • T1: Reigning kings, led by Faker, chasing a historic three-peat.
  • Gen.G: Consistently strong, known for macro play.

China (LPL)

  • Bilibili Gaming (BLG): Aggression-first, mechanically gifted.
  • JD Gaming (JDG): Experienced and versatile.

EMEA (LEC)

  • G2 Esports: Europe’s flagship, capable of major upsets.
  • Fnatic: Historical legends, always dangerous at Worlds.

Americas (LTA)

  • Team Liquid: North America’s best hope, relying on veteran leadership.
  • LOUD: The pride of Brazil, bringing a fearless playstyle.

Asia-Pacific (LCP)

  • A new unified region debuting at Worlds. Teams like PSG Talon and Vietnam’s GAM Esports could surprise top-tier regions.

Broadcast & How to Watch

Worlds 2025 will be broadcast globally across Riot’s official platforms:

For fans in China, local broadcasts will be available on Huya, Bilibili, and Douyin.

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💡 Viewing Tip: Riot often includes in-game drops (exclusive icons, emotes, loot) for fans who watch via the LoL Esports website.

Ticketing Information

  • Beijing: Play-In & Swiss Stage tickets go on sale in August 2025.
  • Shanghai: Quarterfinals & Semifinals tickets released in September 2025.
  • Chengdu Final: Expected to sell out within hours. Tickets open in early October 2025.

Ticket pricing ranges from $30 for early-stage matches to over $200 for finals seats. VIP packages with merchandise and backstage experiences are expected.

Historical Context & Expectations

  • T1 are chasing their fifth world title and Faker’s potential last run at Worlds.
  • No Western team has lifted the trophy since Fnatic (2011). Could 2025 finally break the drought?
  • China aims to reclaim dominance on home soil, having last won in 2021 (EDG).
  • With the introduction of Fearless Draft, this Worlds might be remembered as the most strategically innovative tournament in LoL history.

Conclusion

The League of Legends World Championship 2025 is set to deliver unforgettable storylines: defending champions T1 aiming for a dynasty, China looking for glory at home, and Western dark horses eager to upset the balance. Add in the $5 million prize pool, a revolutionary draft system, and world-class venues, and you have all the ingredients for a legendary tournament.

As October approaches, one thing is certain: the road to Chengdu will shape the future of competitive League.

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