League of Legends World Championship: Difference between revisions

*League of Legends* World Championship
Upcoming season or competition:; 2025 League of Legends World Championship
Game	League of Legends
Founded	2011; 13 years ago
Administrator	Riot Games
No. of teams	17 teams (2025)
Venue(s)	Rotating locations (next location: Chengdu)
Most recent; champion(s)	T1 (2024)
Most titles	T1 (5 titles)
Qualification	Regional leagues (list)
Streaming partner(s)	Twitch, YouTube
Related; competitions	Mid-Season Invitational; First Stand;
Tournament format	Play-in stage; Double elimination; Main event; Swiss-system format; Single elimination;
Official website	lolesports.com

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The League of Legends World Championship (commonly abbreviated as Worlds) is the annual professional League of Legends world championship tournament hosted by Riot Games and is the culmination of each season. Teams compete for the champion title, the 44-pound (20-kilogram) Summoner's Cup, and a multi-million-dollar championship prize. In 2018, the final was watched by 99.6 million people, breaking 2017's final's viewer record.^[1] The tournament has been praised for its ceremonial performances,^[2]^[3] while receiving attention worldwide due to its dramatic and emotional nature.^[4]^[5]^[6]

The League of Legends World Championships has gained tremendous success and popularity, making it among the world's most prestigious and watched tournaments, as well as the most watched esports event in the world.^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]

The tournament rotates its venues across different major countries and regions each year. South Korea's T1 is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won five world championships.^[11]

History

Season 1 (2011)

The Season 1 Championship^[12] was held in June 2011 at Dreamhack Summer 2011, and featured a US$100,000 tournament prize pool.^[13] 8 teams from Europe, North America, Southeast Asia^[a] participated in the championship.^{[citation needed]} Over 1.6 million viewers watched the streaming broadcast of the event, with a peak of over 210,069 simultaneous viewers in the final.^[14] Maciej "Shushei" Ratuszniak of the winning team Fnatic was named the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament.^[15]

Season 2 (2012)

After Season 1, Riot announced that US$5,000,000 would be paid out over Season 2. Of this $5 million, $2 million went to Riot's partners including the IGN Pro League and other major esports associations. Another $2 million went to Riot's Season 2 qualifiers and championship. The final $1 million went to other organizers who applied to Riot to host independent League of Legends tournaments.^[16]

The Season 2 World Championship was held in early October 2012 in Los Angeles, California to conclude the US$5 million season. Twelve qualifying teams from around the world participated in the championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in the history of esports tournaments at the time at US$2 million, with US$1 million going to the champions. The group stage, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches took place between 4 and 6 October. The grand final took place a week after, on 13 October in the University of Southern California's Galen Center in front of 10,000 fans, and were broadcast in 13 different languages.^[17] In the grand final, Taiwan's professional team Taipei Assassins triumphed over South Korea's Azubu Frost 3 to 1 and claimed the US$1 million in prize money.^[18]

Over 8 million viewers tuned in to the Season 2 World Championship broadcast, with a maximum of 1.1 million concurrent viewers during the grand finale, making the Season 2 World Championship the most watched esports event in history at the time.^[19]

Season 3 (2013)

The Season 3 World Championship was held in late 2013 in Los Angeles, California. 14 teams from North America, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and one of the emerging League of Legends territories measured up at the World Playoffs after having qualified through their regional competitions.^[20] The grand final was held in the Staples Center on 4 October 2013, where Korean team SK Telecom T1 defeated the Chinese team Royal Club,^[21] granting them the title of the Season 3 world champions, the Summoner's Cup and the $1 million prize.

The Season 3 World Championship grand final broadcast on 4 October was watched by 32 million people with a peak concurrent viewership of 8.5 million.^[22] The numbers once again beat the previous records for esports viewership.

2014

The 2014 World Championship featured 16 teams competing for a $2.13 million prize pool, with 14 teams qualifying from the primary League of Legends regions (China, Europe, North America, Korea and Taiwan/SEA) and two international wildcard teams. Riot stopped numbering seasons and instead simply used the year for the 2014 and future championships.

The group stage began on 18 September in Taipei and concluded on 28 September in Singapore with eight teams advancing to the bracket stage.^[23] The bracket stage started on 3 October in Busan, South Korea, and concluded on 19 October with the grand final hosted at the 45,000-seats Seoul World Cup Stadium,^[24]^[25] where South Korean team Samsung Galaxy White beat the Chinese team Star Horn Royal Club to become the 2014 League of Legends world champions.^[26] Support player Cho "Mata" Se-hyeong was named the tournament most valuable player (MVP).

American band Imagine Dragons contributed the theme song "Warriors" for the tournament,^[27] and performed live on the grand final stage in South Korea.^[28] All games were made available for free via live streaming.^[29]

The 2014 World Championship games were streamed live by 40 broadcast partners and cast in 19 languages. The grand final was watched by 27 million people, with concurrent viewership peaking at over 11 million viewers.^[30]^[31]

2015

After the 2014 season, Riot Games introduced a number of changes to competitive League of Legends. The number of teams in the League Championship Series was increased from 8 to 10 in both the North America and Europe regions.^[32] A second Riot Games official international tournament was announced, the Mid-Season Invitational, which took place in May 2015, and featured a single team from each major region and one international wildcard.^[33] Additionally, starting from 2015, all teams are required to field a head coach in their competitive matches, who will stay on stage and speak with the team via voice-chat in the pick–ban phase of the game. This change makes the head coach an officially recognized member of the team.^[34]

The 2015 World Championship concluded the 2015 season and was held at several venues across Europe in October 2015. Like the 2014 World Championship, the 2015 World Championship was a multi-city, multi-country event.^[35] 2015 Worlds was won by SK Telecom T1, their second title, as they won the 2013 Worlds too. SKT top laner Jang "MaRin" Gyeong-hwan was named the tournament most valuable player (MVP). The final was watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers.^[36]

2016

The various stages of the 2016 Worlds were held throughout the United States in Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, and the final in Los Angeles.

The groups of teams were decided through a live group draw show on 10 September. The games were played on the 6.18 patch of the game with Yorick disabled, and Aurelion Sol disabled for days 1–3. There were 16 teams and 4 groups that consisted of 4 teams. The group stage was Bo1 and the top two teams from each group would advance to the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage was Bo5 and the #1 vs #2 teams from each group would face each other in the bracket. The total prize pool was US$5,070,000 and it was spread among the teams. The first place (SK Telecom T1) took $2,028,000, the second team (Samsung Galaxy) took $760,500, and the third and fourth place (ROX Tigers and H2K) took $380,250 divided among the 2 teams. The rest of the prize pool was distributed among the 5th–16th places.^[37]^{[unreliable source?]}

SKT won 3–2 versus Samsung Galaxy in the 2016 World Championship final, with Faker winning the MVP award.^[38] The final was watched by 43 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14.7 million viewers, breaking 2015's final's viewer records.

2017

The 2017 World Championship series started in September 2017, and concluded in November 2017. It was held in 4 different locations throughout China: Wuhan (play-in and groups), Guangzhou (quarterfinals), Shanghai (semifinals), and Beijing (final).^[39] It was played on patch 7.18, with the newest champion Ornn being disabled. Patch 7.18 is slightly older than patches 7.19 and 7.20, which are the new standard for online matches during the September - November period. The most notable difference being the stronger Ardent Censer support meta with patch 7.18.

A total of 24 teams participated in the tournament: 3 teams from South Korea, China, North America, Europe and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau; 1 team from Brazil, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan, Oceania, Turkey, Southeast Asia and CIS/Russia; and 1 team from the Wildcard region with the highest rank finish at the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational (GPL in Southeast Asia, due to Gigabyte Marines from Vietnam prevailing there, and Vietnam received 1 more slot for VCS's second seed to participate GPL 2017 summer split).

Samsung Galaxy reversed the previous year's result and defeated SK Telecom T1 3–0 in the 2017 World Championship final. Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk, the AD carry of Samsung, was named MVP.^[40] The final was watched by 60 million people, breaking 2016's final's viewer records. The tournament is widely praised for its high quality of plays and amazing ceremonial performances, while receiving worldwide attention for its dramatic and emotional series. It is currently the most watched tournament in League of Legends' history and is lauded as one of the best.^[1]^[2]^[4]^[5]^[6]

2018

The 2018 World Championship was held from 1 October to 3 November, 2018, in 4 cities across South Korea: Seoul (play-in), Busan (groups & quarterfinals), Gwangju (semifinals), and Incheon (final).^[41] Twenty four teams qualified for the tournament based on their placement in regional circuits such as those in North America, Europe, South Korea, and China, with twelve of those teams having to reach the group stage via a play-in round.^[42]

The 2018 World Championship was played on Patch 8.19. Notably, champions Aatrox, Alistar and Urgot were extremely prevalent in the tournament, with the three characters being picked or banned in over 90 percent of the 78 games played.^[43]^{[unreliable source?]} The World Championship final was played between Invictus Gaming and Fnatic. Invictus Gaming won 3–0 against Fnatic, granting China and the LPL their first World Championship. Gao "Ning" Zhenning was named the MVP of the series in their victory.^[44] The final was watched by 99.6 million unique viewers, with concurrent viewership reaching a peak of 44 million viewers, breaking 2017's final's viewership record.^[45]

2019

The 2019 World Championship was held between 2 October to 10 November 2019, in three countries and cities in Europe: Berlin (play-in & groups), Madrid (quarterfinals and semifinals), and Paris (final).^[46] Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.^[47]

The 2019 World Championship was played on Patch 9.19 from start to finish.^[48] The World Championship final was played on 10 November 2019 between LPL's FunPlus Phoenix and LEC's G2 Esports at AccorHotels Arena in Paris. FunPlus Phoenix won 3–0 against G2 Esports, granting China and the LPL back-to-back World Championships. Gao "Tian" Tianliang was named the MVP of the series in their victory.^[49] The final was watched by more than 100 million viewers, peaking at 44 million concurrent views.^[50]

2020

The 2020 World Championship was held from 25 September to 31 October 2020 in Shanghai, China. 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.^[51] As a result of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from the Vietnam Championship Series were unable to attend the event.^[52]

All games leading up to the final were hosted in the Shanghai Media Tech Studio with no fans in attendance. The final was hosted in the Pudong Football Stadium as the building's inaugural event, hosting a limited number of 6,312 fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[53] The final was played on 31 October 2020 between Suning, from China's League of Legends Pro League, and Damwon Gaming, from League of Legends Champions Korea, with Damwon Gaming winning the championship 3–1. During the second game, Suning's top laner Chen "Bin" Zebin achieved the first "Pentakill" in the final of a World Championship.^[54] Damwon Gaming's jungler, Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu, was named the MVP of the series.^[55] Damwon's win ended the LPL's back-to-back streak of world championship victories.^[56] The final was watched at its peak by 46.07 million viewers.^[57]

2021

The 2021 World Championship was held from 5 October to 6 November 2021 in Reykjavík, Iceland. In line with last year's iteration, 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.^[58] As a result of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from the Vietnam Championship Series were once again unable to attend the event.^[59]

All games of the tournament were hosted in the Laugardalshöll, with no fans in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland. The final was played on 6 November 2021 between Edward Gaming, from China's League of Legends Pro League, and defending champions DWG KIA (formerly Damwon Gaming), from League of Legends Champions Korea, with Edward Gaming winning the championship 3–2, ending DWG KIA's chance to win back-to-back world championships.^[60] Edward Gaming's mid laner, Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, was named the MVP of the series.^[61] The final had an average audience of 30.6 million, peaking at 73.86 million concurrent viewers.^[62]^[63]

2022

The 2022 World Championship was held from 29 September to 5 November, 2022, with the event taking place in 4 cities across North America: Mexico City (play-in), New York City (groups & quarterfinals), Atlanta (semifinals) and San Francisco (finals).^[64]^[65] Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.^[66] As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the League of Legends Continental League from the CIS region was unable to send a representative to participate in the event.^[67]

The finals was played at the Chase Center on 5 November 2022 between T1 and DRX, both from the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). Riot Games collaborated with Lil Nas X to release "Star Walkin'" for the finals.^[68] In the final, DRX defeated T1 3–2 in a close series, becoming the first team to win the championship after starting from the play-in stage.^[69]^[70] DRX's top laner, Hwang "Kingen" Seong-hoon, was named the MVP of the series.^[71] Their victory was considered a Cinderella and underdog success story, as they had come from the play-in stage as Korea's fourth seed representative, and had beaten some of the more favored and accomplished teams along the way, including the previous worlds champions Edward Gaming in a 3–2 reverse sweep in the quarterfinals, and defeating the LCK Summer Split champions Gen.G 3–1 in the semifinals.^[72]

2023

The 2023 World Championship was held from 10 October to 19 November 2023, with the event taking place in two cities across South Korea: Seoul and Busan. Twenty-two teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.^[73] Albeit, one team qualified for the event through the newly inaugurated Worlds Qualifying Series between the fourth-seeded teams from the LEC and LCS.^[74]

The format for the event differed to the previous editions, with the introduction of a play-in stage, consisting of eight teams who are split into two double elimination brackets. There, three teams qualified to the second stage of the event where the qualifying teams, along with thirteen other teams, faced off in a swiss-system tournament to determine the qualifiers to the knockout stage, with the eventual champions being crowned at the conclusion of the single-elimination knockout stage.^[75]

The finals was played at the Gocheok Sky Dome on 19 November 2023 between Weibo Gaming from the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), and previous years' finalist T1 from the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK).^[76] In the final, T1 defeated Weibo Gaming 3–0, extending their record for the most world championships won by single team with four titles.^[77] T1's top laner, Choi "Zeus" Woo-je, was named the MVP of the series, while teammate Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok became the first player to win four World Championships.^[78]^[79]

2024

The 2024 World Championship was held from 25 September to 2 November 2024, with the event taking place in three cities across Europe: Berlin, Paris and London. Twenty-two teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and results gained in this years' Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), with the LCK and LPL's 4th seeds in the Swiss stage reallocated to the winner and a team from the best performing region of the event.^[b]^[80]^[81]

During the finals' broadcast of the 2023 World Championship, Riot Games announced that the finals of the 2024 edition of Worlds would take place in London at The O2 Arena on 2 November 2024.^[82]^[83]

American band Linkin Park contributed the song "Heavy Is the Crown" as the tournament's anthem and performed live on the grand final stage in London.

In the final, T1 defeated BLG 3-2, extending their record for most world championships won by a single team, with Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok becoming the first player to win five World Championships, alongside the first to win 2 Finals MVPs.^[84]

2025

Developer Riot Games has announced that the League of Legends World Championship will take place in China in 2025. This announcement was made alongside news of an extended sponsorship agreement with smartphone manufacturer OPPO.^[85]^[86] It was later announced that the Final will be held in Chengdu. This edition of the tournament is planned to feature 17 teams in total, with the MSI slots being kept and three teams from each of League's new competitive regions (Americas, EMEA, Korea, China and Asia-Pacific) qualifying on top. One best-of-5 play-in match will be held before the Swiss stage between two teams.^[87]

Trophy

Riot Games, which owns League of Legends, commissioned the winner's trophy as the Summoner's Cup. Riot specified that it should weigh 70 pounds (about 32 kilograms), though the actual weight of the finished cup was reduced so it would not be too heavy to lift in victory. The World Championship Cups for 2012 and for 2014 were created by Thomas Lyte.^[88]

In 2022, Riot Games announced the formation of a multi-year partnership with American jewelry brand Tiffany & Co., producing a newly designed Summoner's Cup with a weight of 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms).^[89]

Results

By year

Year	Final location	Final				No.
Year	Final location	Champion	Score		Runner-up	No.
2011	Jönköping	Fnatic	2	1	Against All Authority	8
2012	Los Angeles	Taipei Assassins	3	1	Azubu Frost	12
2013	Los Angeles	SK Telecom T1	3	0	Royal Club	14
2014	Seoul	Samsung White	3	1	Royal Club	16
2015	Berlin	SK Telecom T1	3	1	KOO Tigers	16
2016	Los Angeles	SK Telecom T1	3	2	Samsung Galaxy	16
2017	Beijing	Samsung Galaxy	3	0	SK Telecom T1	24
2018	Incheon	Invictus Gaming	3	0	Fnatic	24
2019	Paris	FunPlus Phoenix	3	0	G2 Esports	24
2020	Shanghai	Damwon Gaming	3	1	Suning	22
2021	Reykjavík	Edward Gaming	3	2	DWG KIA	22
2022	San Francisco	DRX	3	2	T1	24
2023	Seoul	T1	3	0	Weibo Gaming	22
2024	London	T1	3	2	Bilibili Gaming	20

By region

Region	Titles	Runner-up	Total
South Korea (LCK)	9	6	15
China (LPL)	3	5	8
EMEA (LEC)	1	3	4
Asia-Pacific (PCS)^[c]	1	0	1

By team

Italics indicates a team/organization has been disbanded, acquired or no longer participates in the regional league.

Team	Region	Champions	Runners-up	Total
T1^[d]	LCK	5	2	7
Gen.G^[e]	LCK	2	1	3
Fnatic	LEC	1	1	2
Dplus KIA^[f]	LCK	1	1	2
Invictus Gaming	LPL	1	0	1
J Team^[g]	PCS	1^[h]	0	1
FunPlus Phoenix	LPL	1	0	1
Edward Gaming	LPL	1	0	1
DRX	LCK	1	0	1
Royal Never Give Up^[i]	LPL	0	2	2
Weibo Gaming^[j]	LPL	0	2^[k]	2
G2 Esports	LEC	0	1	1
Hanwha Life Esports^[l]	LCK	0	1^[m]	1
Against All Authority	LEC	0	1	1
CJ Entus	LCK	0	1^[n]	1
Bilibili Gaming	LPL	0	1	1

Notes

^ The qualifier was available only for Philippines and Singapore. Each country was given a spot.
^ The winner of MSI will qualify for Worlds provided they reach the Summer split playoffs, while the best performing region left will gain an additional spot at Worlds.
^ In 2012, Taipei Assassins competed in the Garena Premier League, which included teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia, but the regional qualifiers for Worlds were split for each region.
^ SK Telecom T1 rebranded as T1 in late 2019.
^ The team was known as Samsung White when they won their first title in 2014, while the team played under the Samsung Galaxy name when they played in the World Championship in 2016 and 2017. They were acquired by KSV eSports in 2017 and later rebranded as Gen.G in the middle of 2018.
^ The team was previously known as Damwon Gaming (2020) and DWG KIA (2021–2022).
^ J Team (owned by Jay Chou) acquired the LMS spot of Taipei Assassins (owned by Garena) in 2015.
^ As Taipei Assassins
^ Royal Club was relegated to the LoL Secondary Pro League (LSPL) by Gamtee during the 2015 LPL Summer promotion tournament. Shortly afterwards, the LPL spot of Gamtee was acquired by Royal Club and rebranded as Royal Never Give Up. Royal Club has since remained in China's secondary league, now known as the LoL Development League (LDL), as the organization's academy team.
^ Weibo Gaming (owned by Weibo Corporation) acquired the LPL spot and players from Suning (owned by Suning.com) in late 2021.
^ Once as Suning in 2020
^ Hanwha Life Esports (owned by Hanwha Life Insurance) acquired the LCK spot and players of ROX Tigers in 2018. The team was previously known as Huya Tigers (2013), GE Tigers (2014), KOO Tigers (2015), and ROX Tigers (2016–2017) due to sponsorship deals.
^ As KOO Tigers
^ As Azubu Frost

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[14] The qualifier was available only for Philippines and Singapore. Each country was given a spot.

[81] The winner of MSI will qualify for Worlds provided they reach the Summer split playoffs, while the best performing region left will gain an additional spot at Worlds.

[92] In 2012, Taipei Assassins competed in the Garena Premier League, which included teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia, but the regional qualifiers for Worlds were split for each region.

[93] SK Telecom T1 rebranded as T1 in late 2019.

[galaxy-94] The team was known as Samsung White when they won their first title in 2014, while the team played under the Samsung Galaxy name when they played in the World Championship in 2016 and 2017. They were acquired by KSV eSports in 2017 and later rebranded as Gen.G in the middle of 2018.

[95] The team was previously known as Damwon Gaming (2020) and DWG KIA (2021–2022).

[96] J Team (owned by Jay Chou) acquired the LMS spot of Taipei Assassins (owned by Garena) in 2015.

[97] As Taipei Assassins

[98] Royal Club was relegated to the LoL Secondary Pro League (LSPL) by Gamtee during the 2015 LPL Summer promotion tournament. Shortly afterwards, the LPL spot of Gamtee was acquired by Royal Club and rebranded as Royal Never Give Up. Royal Club has since remained in China's secondary league, now known as the LoL Development League (LDL), as the organization's academy team.

[99] Weibo Gaming (owned by Weibo Corporation) acquired the LPL spot and players from Suning (owned by Suning.com) in late 2021.

[100] Once as Suning in 2020

[101] Hanwha Life Esports (owned by Hanwha Life Insurance) acquired the LCK spot and players of ROX Tigers in 2018. The team was previously known as Huya Tigers (2013), GE Tigers (2014), KOO Tigers (2015), and ROX Tigers (2016–2017) due to sponsorship deals.

[102] As KOO Tigers

[103] As Azubu Frost

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@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 The '''''League of Legends'' World Championship''' (commonly abbreviated as '''Worlds''') is the annual professional ''[[League of Legends]]'' world championship tournament hosted by [[Riot Games]] and is the culmination of each season. Teams compete for the champion title, the 44-pound (20-kilogram) Summoner's Cup, and a multi-million-dollar championship prize. In 2018, the final was watched by 99.6 million people, breaking [[2017 League of Legends World Championship|2017]]'s final's viewer record.<ref name="dotesports1">{{cite news|url=https://www.riftherald.com/2018/12/11/18136237/riot-2018-league-of-legends-world-finals-viewers-prize-pool|title=The 2018 League of Legends World Finals had nearly 100 million viewers|last=Goslin|first=Austen|date=11 December 2018|work=Rift Herald|access-date=9 September 2019|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416230817/https://www.riftherald.com/2018/12/11/18136237/riot-2018-league-of-legends-world-finals-viewers-prize-pool|url-status=live}}</ref> The tournament has been praised for its ceremonial performances,<ref name="kotaku1">{{cite news|last1=Allen|first1=Eric Van|title=''League of Legends'' World Finals Had A Freaking Dragon|url=https://compete.kotaku.com/league-of-legends-world-finals-had-a-freaking-dragon-1820142112|work=Compete|access-date=9 November 2017|archive-date=3 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203132026/https://compete.kotaku.com/league-of-legends-world-finals-had-a-freaking-dragon-1820142112|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="riftherald1">{{cite news|title=The opening ceremony for the 2017 World Championship finals had a live performance and a dragon|url=https://www.riftherald.com/lol-worlds/2017/11/4/16605868/league-of-legends-worlds-2017-opening-ceremony|work=The Rift Herald|access-date=9 November 2017|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416222159/https://www.riftherald.com/lol-worlds/2017/11/4/16605868/league-of-legends-worlds-2017-opening-ceremony|url-status=live}}</ref> while receiving attention worldwide due to its dramatic and emotional nature.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news|last1=Dwan|first1=Hannah|title=The ''League of Legends'' 2017 World Championship quarter finals have started {{!}} Where to watch, our predictions, and the results so far|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/league-legends-2017-world-championships-watch-predictions/|work=The Telegraph|date=19 October 2017|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180521134609/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gaming/news/league-legends-2017-world-championships-watch-predictions/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite news|title=LoL Worlds: Fenerbahçe shines on Day 4|url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/20824301/2017-league-legends-world-championship-play-ins|work=ESPN.com|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044003/http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/20824301/2017-league-legends-world-championship-play-ins|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="blastingnews1">{{cite news|last1=MacIntyre|first1=Eliza|title='League of Legends' 2017 world championships, semi final recap SKT vs RNG|url=http://us.blastingnews.com/gaming/2017/10/league-of-legends-2017-world-championships-semi-final-recap-skt-vs-rng-002127883.html|work=Blasting News|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030807/http://us.blastingnews.com/gaming/2017/10/league-of-legends-2017-world-championships-semi-final-recap-skt-vs-rng-002127883.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
-The ''League of Legends'' World Championships has gained tremendous success and popularity, making it among the world's most prestigious and watched tournaments, as well as the most watched esports event in the world.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Alex|title=More People Watched ''League of Legends'' Than The NBA Finals|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/06/more-people-watched-league-of-legends-than-the-nba-finals/|language=en|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430211541/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/06/more-people-watched-league-of-legends-than-the-nba-finals/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Top Games by Esports and Total Viewing Hours on Twitch|url=https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/new-twitch-rankings-top-games-esports-total-viewing-hours/|work=Newzoo|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118234654/https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/new-twitch-rankings-top-games-esports-total-viewing-hours/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gaming numbers top NBA Finals, World Series|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/page/instantawesome-leagueoflegends-141201/league-legends-championships-watched-more-people-nba-finals-world-series-clinchers|work=ESPN.com|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612030027/http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/page/instantawesome-leagueoflegends-141201/league-legends-championships-watched-more-people-nba-finals-world-series-clinchers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Here's why League of Legends video game rules eSports|url=http://fortune.com/2015/10/29/league-of-legends-video-game-championship/|work=Fortune|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625232403/http://fortune.com/2015/10/29/league-of-legends-video-game-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The ''League of Legends'' World Championships has gained tremendous success and popularity, making it among the world's most prestigious and watched tournaments, as well as the most watched esports event in the world.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Walker|first1=Alex|title=More People Watched ''League of Legends'' Than The NBA Finals|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/06/more-people-watched-league-of-legends-than-the-nba-finals/|language=en|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=30 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170430211541/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/06/more-people-watched-league-of-legends-than-the-nba-finals/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Top Games by Esports and Total Viewing Hours on Twitch|url=https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/new-twitch-rankings-top-games-esports-total-viewing-hours/|work=Newzoo|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=18 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118234654/https://newzoo.com/insights/articles/new-twitch-rankings-top-games-esports-total-viewing-hours/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Gaming numbers top NBA Finals, World Series|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/page/instantawesome-leagueoflegends-141201/league-legends-championships-watched-more-people-nba-finals-world-series-clinchers|work=ESPN.com|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612030027/http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/page/instantawesome-leagueoflegends-141201/league-legends-championships-watched-more-people-nba-finals-world-series-clinchers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Here's why League of Legends video game rules eSports|url=http://fortune.com/2015/10/29/league-of-legends-video-game-championship/|work=Fortune|access-date=21 May 2017|archive-date=25 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625232403/http://fortune.com/2015/10/29/league-of-legends-video-game-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 The tournament rotates its venues across different major countries and regions each year. South Korea's [[T1 (esports)|T1]] is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won five world championships.<ref>{{cite web |title=Faker's T1 win League of Legends world title |url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/fakers-t1-win-league-legends-192812765.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=2 November 2024 |date=2 November 2024}}</ref>
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 After Season 1, Riot announced that {{usd}}5,000,000 would be paid out over Season 2. Of this $5 million, $2 million went to Riot's partners including the [[IGN Pro League]] and other major [[esports]] associations. Another $2 million went to Riot's Season 2 qualifiers and championship. The final $1 million went to other organizers who applied to Riot to host independent ''League of Legends'' tournaments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://competitive.na.leagueoflegends.com/competitive/season-2/introduction |title=''League of Legends'' Season 2 |access-date=26 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115133917/http://competitive.na.leagueoflegends.com/competitive/season-2/introduction |archive-date=15 January 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-The Season 2 World Championship was held in early October 2012 in [[Los Angeles, California]] to conclude the {{usd}}5 million season. Twelve qualifying teams from around the world participated in the championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in the history of esports tournaments at the time at {{usd}}2 million, with {{usd}}1 million going to the champions. The group stage, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches took place between 4 and 6 October. The grand final took place a week after, on 13 October in the [[University of Southern California]]'s [[Galen Center]] in front of 10,000 fans, and were broadcast in 13 different languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2644650/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl|title=The ''League of Legends'' Season 2 World Championship Live from the Galen Center (TV Movie 2012) - Plot Summary - IMDb|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413032623/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2644650/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl|url-status=live}}</ref> In the grand final, [[Taiwan]]'s professional team [[Taipei Assassins]] triumphed over [[South Korea]]'s Azubu Frost 3 to 1 and claimed the {{usd}}1 million in prize money.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/taipei-assassins-triumph-league-legends-world-finals-1C6448579 |title=Taipei Assassins triumph in League of Legends world finals |website=[[NBC News]] |access-date=26 February 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129042728/http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/taipei-assassins-triumph-league-legends-world-finals-1C6448579 |url-status=live }}</ref>
+The Season 2 World Championship was held in early October 2012 in [[Los Angeles, California]] to conclude the {{usd}}5 million season. Twelve qualifying teams from around the world participated in the championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in the history of esports tournaments at the time at {{usd}}2 million, with {{usd}}1 million going to the champions. The group stage, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches took place between 4 and 6 October. The grand final took place a week after, on 13 October in the [[University of Southern California]]'s [[Galen Center]] in front of 10,000 fans, and were broadcast in 13 different languages.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2644650/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl|title=The ''League of Legends'' Season 2 World Championship Live from the Galen Center (TV Movie 2012) - Plot Summary - IMDb|website=[[IMDb]]|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-date=13 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413032623/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2644650/plotsummary?ref_=tt_ov_pl|url-status=live}}</ref> In the grand final, [[Taiwan]]'s professional team [[Taipei Assassins]] triumphed over [[South Korea]]'s Azubu Frost 3 to 1 and claimed the {{usd}}1 million in prize money.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/taipei-assassins-triumph-league-legends-world-finals-1C6448579 |title=Taipei Assassins triumph in League of Legends world finals |website=[[NBC News]] |date=14 October 2012 |access-date=26 February 2014 |archive-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129042728/http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/ingame/taipei-assassins-triumph-league-legends-world-finals-1C6448579 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 Over 8 million viewers tuned in to the Season 2 World Championship broadcast, with a maximum of 1.1 million concurrent viewers during the grand finale, making the Season 2 World Championship the most watched esports event in history at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/league-of-legends-season-2-championships-most-watched-esports-event-of-all-time-6398663|title=Riot: ''League of Legends'' Season 2 Championships most watched eSports event of all time|access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=5 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005004520/http://www.gamespot.com/news/league-of-legends-season-2-championships-most-watched-esports-event-of-all-time-6398663|url-status=live}}</ref>
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 The group stage began on 18 September in [[Taipei]] and concluded on 28 September in [[Singapore]] with eight teams advancing to the bracket stage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/esports/esports-event/world-championship-2014-preliminary-schedule|title=World Championship 2014 Preliminary Schedule {{!}} ''League of Legends''|access-date=8 October 2014|archive-date=10 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310172142/http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/esports/esports-event/world-championship-2014-preliminary-schedule|url-status=live}}</ref> The bracket stage started on 3 October in [[Busan]], South Korea, and concluded on 19 October with the grand final hosted at the 45,000-seats [[Seoul World Cup Stadium]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2014/10/06/league-legends-scholarhip-robert-morris-university/16830761/|title=League of Legends scholarship|access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308040317/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/life/2014/10/06/league-legends-scholarhip-robert-morris-university/16830761/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Magrino|first1=Tom|title=Welcome to the ''League of Legends'' 2014 World Championship!|url=http://na.lolesports.com/articles/league-legends-world-championship-2014|access-date=20 August 2014|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923045828/http://na.lolesports.com/articles/league-legends-world-championship-2014|url-status=live}}</ref> where South Korean team [[Samsung Galaxy (esports)|Samsung Galaxy White]] beat the Chinese team Star Horn Royal Club to become the 2014 ''League of Legends'' world champions.<ref name="s4_results3">{{cite web|url=http://na.lolesports.com/worlds/2014/worlds-2014/standings|title=Bracket {{!}} LoL Esports|access-date=20 October 2014|archive-date=4 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204120406/http://na.lolesports.com/worlds/2014/worlds-2014/standings|url-status=live}}</ref> Support player Cho "Mata" Se-hyeong was named the tournament [[most valuable player]] (MVP).
-American band [[Imagine Dragons]] contributed the theme song "[[Warriors (Imagine Dragons song)|Warriors]]" for the tournament,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/imagine-dragons-teams-league-legends-2-3m-tournament-155517736.html|title=Imagine Dragons teams with '''League of Legends''' for $2.3m tournament - Yahoo News Singapore|access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072609/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/imagine-dragons-teams-league-legends-2-3m-tournament-155517736.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and performed live on the grand final stage in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://na.lolesports.com/articles/prepare-yourself-2014-worlds-final|title=Prepare yourself for the 2014 Worlds Final {{!}} LoL Esports|access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911115228/http://na.lolesports.com/articles/prepare-yourself-2014-worlds-final|url-status=live}}</ref> All games were made available for free via live streaming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1489359/watch-league-of-legends-world-championship-2014-live-online/|title=Watch '''League of Legends''' World Championship 2014 Live Online|date=21 September 2014|access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=21 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021153642/http://www.inquisitr.com/1489359/watch-league-of-legends-world-championship-2014-live-online/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+American band [[Imagine Dragons]] contributed the theme song "[[Warriors (Imagine Dragons song)|Warriors]]" for the tournament,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/imagine-dragons-teams-league-legends-2-3m-tournament-155517736.html|title=Imagine Dragons teams with '''League of Legends''' for $2.3m tournament - Yahoo News Singapore|date=19 September 2014 |access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305072609/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/imagine-dragons-teams-league-legends-2-3m-tournament-155517736.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and performed live on the grand final stage in South Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://na.lolesports.com/articles/prepare-yourself-2014-worlds-final|title=Prepare yourself for the 2014 Worlds Final {{!}} LoL Esports|access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=11 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911115228/http://na.lolesports.com/articles/prepare-yourself-2014-worlds-final|url-status=live}}</ref> All games were made available for free via live streaming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/1489359/watch-league-of-legends-world-championship-2014-live-online/|title=Watch '''League of Legends''' World Championship 2014 Live Online|date=21 September 2014|access-date=19 October 2014|archive-date=21 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021153642/http://www.inquisitr.com/1489359/watch-league-of-legends-world-championship-2014-live-online/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 The 2014 World Championship games were streamed live by 40 broadcast partners and cast in 19 languages. The grand final was watched by 27 million people, with concurrent viewership peaking at over 11 million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ongamers.com/articles/league-of-legends-2014-world-championship-viewer-n/1100-2365/|title=''League of Legends'' 2014 World Championship Viewer Numbers (Infograph) - onGamers|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013075908/http://www.ongamers.com/articles/league-of-legends-2014-world-championship-viewer-n/1100-2365/|archive-date=13 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riotgames.com/articles/20141201/1628/worlds-2014-numbers|title=Worlds 2014 by the numbers {{!}} Riot Games|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161202163233/http://www.riotgames.com/articles/20141201/1628/worlds-2014-numbers|archive-date=2 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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 === 2018 ===
 {{Main|2018 League of Legends World Championship}}
-The 2018 World Championship was held from 1 October to 3 November, 2018, in 4 cities across [[South Korea]]: [[Seoul]] (play-in), [[Busan]] (groups & quarterfinals), [[Gwangju]] (semifinals), and [[Incheon]] (final).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2018/08/2018-world-championship-tickets-venues/|title=2018 World Championship Tickets & Venues|website=nexus.leagueoflegends.com|language=en-US|access-date=6 November 2019|archive-date=6 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106073448/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2018/08/2018-world-championship-tickets-venues/|url-status=live}}</ref> Twenty four teams qualified for the tournament based on their placement in regional circuits such as those in North America, Europe, South Korea, and China, with twelve of those teams having to reach the group stage via a play-in round.<ref name="info">{{cite news|title=24 teams complete the lineup for the 2018 ''League of Legends'' World Championship|url=https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/articles/2018-world-championship-korea-cities-dates|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824063805/https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/articles/2018-world-championship-korea-cities-dates|url-status=live}}</ref>
+The 2018 World Championship was held from 1 October to 3 November, 2018, in 4 cities across [[South Korea]]: [[Seoul]] (play-in), [[Busan]] (groups & quarterfinals), [[Gwangju]] (semifinals), and [[Incheon]] (final).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2018/08/2018-world-championship-tickets-venues/|title=2018 World Championship Tickets & Venues|website=nexus.leagueoflegends.com|date=16 August 2018 |language=en-US|access-date=6 November 2019|archive-date=6 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106073448/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2018/08/2018-world-championship-tickets-venues/|url-status=live}}</ref> Twenty four teams qualified for the tournament based on their placement in regional circuits such as those in North America, Europe, South Korea, and China, with twelve of those teams having to reach the group stage via a play-in round.<ref name="info">{{cite news|title=24 teams complete the lineup for the 2018 ''League of Legends'' World Championship|url=https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/articles/2018-world-championship-korea-cities-dates|access-date=31 October 2018|archive-date=24 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180824063805/https://www.lolesports.com/en_US/articles/2018-world-championship-korea-cities-dates|url-status=live}}</ref>
 The 2018 World Championship was played on Patch 8.19. Notably, champions Aatrox, Alistar and Urgot were extremely prevalent in the tournament, with the three characters being picked or banned in over 90 percent of the 78 games played.<ref>{{cite news|title=2018 Season World Championship/Main Event/Champion Statistics|url=https://lol.gamepedia.com/2018_Season_World_Championship/Main_Event/Champion_Statistics|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331224437/https://lol.gamepedia.com/2018_Season_World_Championship/Main_Event/Champion_Statistics|url-status=live}}</ref>{{unreliable source|date=September 2021}} The World Championship final was played between Invictus Gaming and Fnatic. Invictus Gaming won 3–0 against Fnatic, granting China and the [[League of Legends Pro League|LPL]] their first World Championship. Gao "Ning" Zhenning was named the MVP of the series in their victory.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Cass |title=Invictus Gaming's World Champion skins hit the League of Legends PBE |url=https://www.riftherald.com/lol-skins/2019/4/2/18292372/invictus-gaming-world-champion-skins-leblanc-camille-kaisa-rakan-fiora-irelia |website=riftherald.com |date=2 April 2019 |access-date=23 May 2022 |archive-date=22 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522165459/https://www.riftherald.com/lol-skins/2019/4/2/18292372/invictus-gaming-world-champion-skins-leblanc-camille-kaisa-rakan-fiora-irelia |url-status=live }}</ref> The final was watched by 99.6 million unique viewers, with concurrent viewership reaching a peak of 44 million viewers, breaking 2017's final's viewership record.<ref>{{cite news|title=The 2018 League of Legends World Finals had nearly 100 million viewers|url=https://www.riftherald.com/2018/12/11/18136237/riot-2018-league-of-legends-world-finals-viewers-prize-pool|access-date=15 April 2019|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416230817/https://www.riftherald.com/2018/12/11/18136237/riot-2018-league-of-legends-world-finals-viewers-prize-pool|url-status=live}}</ref>
 === 2019 ===
-{{Main|2019 League of Legends World Championship}}The 2019 World Championship was held between 2 October to 10 November 2019, in three countries and cities in [[Europe]]: [[Berlin]] (play-in & groups), [[Madrid]] (quarterfinals and semifinals), and [[Paris]] (final).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/06/2019-world-championship-cities-venues-dates/|title=2019 World Championship Cities, Venues, & Dates|website=nexus.leagueoflegends.com|language=en-US|access-date=6 November 2019|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507165911/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/06/2019-world-championship-cities-venues-dates/|url-status=live}}</ref> Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/which-teams-are-competing-in-the-2019-wo/|title=Which teams are competing in the 2019 World Championship?|website=nexus.leagueoflegends.com|language=en-US|access-date=19 September 2019|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904172600/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/which-teams-are-competing-in-the-2019-wo/|url-status=live}}</ref>
+{{Main|2019 League of Legends World Championship}}The 2019 World Championship was held between 2 October to 10 November 2019, in three countries and cities in [[Europe]]: [[Berlin]] (play-in & groups), [[Madrid]] (quarterfinals and semifinals), and [[Paris]] (final).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/06/2019-world-championship-cities-venues-dates/|title=2019 World Championship Cities, Venues, & Dates|website=nexus.leagueoflegends.com|date=20 June 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=6 November 2019|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507165911/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/06/2019-world-championship-cities-venues-dates/|url-status=live}}</ref> Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/which-teams-are-competing-in-the-2019-wo/|title=Which teams are competing in the 2019 World Championship?|website=nexus.leagueoflegends.com|date=26 August 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=19 September 2019|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904172600/https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2019/08/which-teams-are-competing-in-the-2019-wo/|url-status=live}}</ref>
 The 2019 World Championship was played on Patch 9.19 from start to finish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/game-updates/patch/patch-919-notes|title=Patch 9.19 notes {{!}} League of Legends|website=na.leagueoflegends.com|access-date=6 November 2019|archive-date=6 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106073458/https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/news/game-updates/patch/patch-919-notes|url-status=live}}</ref> The World Championship final was played on 10 November 2019 between [[League of Legends Pro League|LPL]]'s [[FunPlus Phoenix]] and [[League of Legends European Championship|LEC]]'s [[G2 Esports]] at [[AccorHotels Arena]] in Paris. FunPlus Phoenix won 3–0 against G2 Esports, granting China and the LPL back-to-back World Championships. Gao "Tian" Tianliang was named the MVP of the series in their victory.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Julia |title=FunPlus Phoenix's Worlds 2019 skins for Lee Sin, Malphite, Vayne, Thresh, and Gangplank revealed |url=https://www.riftherald.com/lol-skins/2020/4/14/21220998/funplus-phoenix-fpx-worlds-2019-skins-lee-sin-malphite-vayne-thresh-gangplank |website=riftherald.com |date=14 April 2020 |access-date=23 May 2022 |archive-date=21 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521140717/https://www.riftherald.com/lol-skins/2020/4/14/21220998/funplus-phoenix-fpx-worlds-2019-skins-lee-sin-malphite-vayne-thresh-gangplank |url-status=live }}</ref> The final was watched by more than 100 million viewers, peaking at 44 million concurrent views.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/league-of-legends-world-championship-100-million-viewers-2019-12 | title=More than 100 million people watched the 'League of Legends' World Championship, cementing its place as the most popular esport | website=[[Business Insider]] | access-date=29 September 2022 | archive-date=31 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131115618/https://www.businessinsider.com/league-of-legends-world-championship-100-million-viewers-2019-12 | url-status=live }}</ref>
@@ Line 107: / Line 107: @@
 The 2021 World Championship was held from 5 October to 6 November 2021 in [[Reykjavík]], Iceland. In line with last year's iteration, 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Worlds 2021 Location and Format Announcement|url=https://lolesports.com/article/worlds-2021-location-and-format-announcement/blt52ec273a991d3261|access-date=2021-09-13|website=lolesports.com|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108105012/https://lolesports.com/article/worlds-2021-location-and-format-announcement/blt52ec273a991d3261|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of travel restrictions related to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the two teams that qualified from the [[Vietnam Championship Series]] were once again unable to attend the event.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nguyen|first=Hoang|date=10 September 2021|title=Travel restrictions block Vietnam from League of Legends World Championship 2021|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/9/22649691/league-of-legends-world-championships-2021-europe|access-date=12 September 2021|website=theverge|language=en|archive-date=12 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210912080648/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/9/22649691/league-of-legends-world-championships-2021-europe|url-status=live}}</ref>
-All games of the tournament were hosted in the [[Laugardalshöll]], with no fans in attendance due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland]]. The final was played on 6 November 2021 between [[Edward Gaming]], from China's [[League of Legends Pro League]], and defending champions [[Dplus KIA|DWG KIA]] (formerly Damwon Gaming), from [[League of Legends Champions Korea]], with Edward Gaming winning the championship 3–2, ending DWG KIA's chance to win back-to-back world championships.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bernardo |first1=Anna |title=EDG upset DWG KIA 3-2 to become 2021 League of Legends world champions |url=https://www.msn.com/en-sg/sport/other/edg-upset-dwg-kia-3-2-to-become-2021-league-of-legends-world-champions |website=MSN.com |access-date=7 November 2021 |language=en |date=7 November 2021}}</ref> Edward Gaming's mid laner, Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, was named the MVP of the series.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Takyun "Laff" Pack |author2=Daniel "Quest" Kwon |title=Hard work pays dividends: EDG's mid laner Scout wins Worlds 2021 finals MVP |url=https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/15605/hard-work-pays-dividends-edgs-mid-laner-scout-has-been-selected-as-the-worlds-2021-finals-mvp |website=Inven Global |access-date=7 November 2021 |language=en |date=7 November 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107075353/https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/15605/hard-work-pays-dividends-edgs-mid-laner-scout-has-been-selected-as-the-worlds-2021-finals-mvp |url-status=live }}</ref> The final had an average audience of 30.6 million, peaking at 73.86 million concurrent viewers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lolesportsmedia.com/League-of-Legends-Esports-Breaks-World-Championship-Viewership-Record | title=League of Legends Esports Media Center - "League of Legends Esports Breaks World Championship Viewership Record" | access-date=29 September 2022 | archive-date=29 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929175227/https://www.lolesportsmedia.com/League-of-Legends-Esports-Breaks-World-Championship-Viewership-Record | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Media/2021/11/Worlds-2021-Finals-AMA.aspx | title=Riot Games reveals Worlds 2021 Finals viewership numbers | access-date=29 September 2022 | archive-date=29 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929180319/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Media/2021/11/Worlds-2021-Finals-AMA.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref>
+All games of the tournament were hosted in the [[Laugardalshöll]], with no fans in attendance due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Iceland]]. The final was played on 6 November 2021 between [[Edward Gaming]], from China's [[League of Legends Pro League]], and defending champions [[Dplus KIA|DWG KIA]] (formerly Damwon Gaming), from [[League of Legends Champions Korea]], with Edward Gaming winning the championship 3–2, ending DWG KIA's chance to win back-to-back world championships.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bernardo |first1=Anna |title=EDG upset DWG KIA 3-2 to become 2021 League of Legends world champions |url=https://www.msn.com/en-sg/sport/other/edg-upset-dwg-kia-3-2-to-become-2021-league-of-legends-world-champions |website=MSN.com |access-date=7 November 2021 |language=en |date=7 November 2021}}</ref> Edward Gaming's mid laner, Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, was named the MVP of the series.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Takyun "Laff" Pack |author2=Daniel "Quest" Kwon |title=Hard work pays dividends: EDG's mid laner Scout wins Worlds 2021 finals MVP |url=https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/15605/hard-work-pays-dividends-edgs-mid-laner-scout-has-been-selected-as-the-worlds-2021-finals-mvp |website=Inven Global |access-date=7 November 2021 |language=en |date=7 November 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107075353/https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/15605/hard-work-pays-dividends-edgs-mid-laner-scout-has-been-selected-as-the-worlds-2021-finals-mvp |url-status=live }}</ref> The final had an average audience of 30.6 million, peaking at 73.86 million concurrent viewers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lolesportsmedia.com/League-of-Legends-Esports-Breaks-World-Championship-Viewership-Record | title=League of Legends Esports Media Center - "League of Legends Esports Breaks World Championship Viewership Record" | access-date=29 September 2022 | archive-date=29 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929175227/https://www.lolesportsmedia.com/League-of-Legends-Esports-Breaks-World-Championship-Viewership-Record | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Media/2021/11/Worlds-2021-Finals-AMA.aspx | title=Riot Games reveals Worlds 2021 Finals viewership numbers | date=21 November 2021 | access-date=29 September 2022 | archive-date=29 September 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929180319/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Media/2021/11/Worlds-2021-Finals-AMA.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref>
 === 2022 ===

v t e Esports and competitive video gaming
Games Leagues and tournaments Players Cheating
Fighting	Capcom Cup CEO Evolution Championship Series Killer Instinct World Cup Super Smash Bros. Apex The Big House Genesis Smash World Tour Super Smash Con
MOBA	Dota 2 Pro Circuit The International League of Legends World Championship Mid-Season Invitational Champions Korea Championship Pacific Championship of The Americas EMEA Championship Pro League Pacific Championship Series Vietnam Championship Series other Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup World Championship Smite World Championship
Real-time strategy	StarCraft StarCraft II Global League Warcraft III championships
Shooter	Apex Legends Global Series Call of Duty Championship League Counter-Strike BLAST Premier ESL Pro League Flashpoint Majors Fortnite World Cup Overwatch Apex Champions Series Contenders League World Cup QuakeCon Six Invitational Valorant Champions Tour PUBG Mobile
Sports	eFootball.Open eSailing World Championship FIA-Certified Gran Turismo Championships FIFAe World Cup FIFAe Nations Cup Formula One Esports Series Formula E: Accelerate iRacing eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series EuroNASCAR Esports Series INDYCAR iRacing Challenge NBA 2K League Rocket League Championship Series eRacing 2017 Vegas eRace
Other genres	Classic Tetris World Championship Hearthstone Pokémon World Championships
Multi-genre	Asian Games Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games Commonwealth Esports Championships DreamHack ELeague ESEA League ESL Intel Extreme Masters Esports World Convention Esports World Cup Major League Gaming list of National Championships Nintendo World Championships Campus Challenge Olympic Esports Series Southeast Asian Games Twin Galaxies World Cyber Games World Electronic Sports Games World Series of Video Games
Governing bodies	Amazon University Esports Armenian Esports Federation Asian Electronic Sports Federation Bangladesh Youth Development & Electronic Sports Association British Esports Esports Integrity Commission Esports World Federation International Esports Federation Korea e-Sports Association National Association of Collegiate Esports Professional Esports Association Saudi Esports Federation Tespa Thailand E-Sports Federation Russian eSports Federation World Esports Association
Defunct organizations	Championship Gaming Series Cyberathlete Professional League eGames G7 Teams MBCGame StarCraft League Ongamenet Starleague Professional Gamers League Tougeki – Super Battle Opera United Kingdom eSports Association World e-Sports Games World League eSport Bundesliga XLEAGUE.TV
Years	2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Category