Riot Games Confirms Mid-Season International to be Held in South Korea
Riot Games has officially announced that this year’s Mid-Season International (MSI) will take place in South Korea. This will be the first time the country is hosting an MSI since 2018. The news was first reported by on Feb. 19.
Live Audience and Venue
Despite rumors of a potential cancellation due to the COVID-19 situation in Korea, Riot has confirmed that the event will not only proceed as planned but also have a live audience. This will be the first time since Worlds 2019 that fans can attend an international League of Legends event. The venue for the MSI will be Busan’s Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO).
Format and Participants
The tournament format will remain the same as the previous year, featuring a group stage, rumble stage, and knockout stage. However, there is one change in the lineup of participants. The LCL won’t be able to compete in the event due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. As a result, one of the four groups will have one less team. The first phase of the tournament will be played from May 10 to May 15. The top four teams from May 27 to 29 will then qualify for the playoffs, which will be a best-of-five format.
Busan: The Mecca of Esports
The mayor of Busan has proudly described the city as the Mecca of esports, highlighting its history of hosting major esports tournaments. The city even has its own dedicated arena, the BRENA (Busan e-Sports Arena). The mayor encourages visitors to take the opportunity to explore Busan City during MSI 2022.
Celebrating South Korea’s Esports Heritage
Naz Aletaha, the global head of LoL Esports, expressed excitement about honoring South Korea’s esports heritage through the MSI. As a country at the forefront of the esports industry for decades, South Korea’s passion for esports is unmatched. Bringing the MSI to Korea for the first time allows fans to witness the challenge between the world’s best League of Legends teams once again. Busan, which previously hosted the 2014 and 2018 Worlds, is poised to provide an incredible setting for the tournament.
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