Since the first League of Legends World Championship in 2021, LoL has remained a key part of the global esports scene. But there are other tournaments to watch! Today, there are many smaller leagues and annual tournaments. In fact, LoL tournaments have been happening since 2011 and they’re still going strong. In 2022, the World Championships had a prize pool of over $2.2 million. Want to switch up your tournament viewing? Here are five of the best events to tune into this year.
5. League of Legends Championship Series (LCS)
The LCS brings together the best LoL teams from North America. Riot Games established it in 2012, making it one of the oldest regional leagues. The LCS helped set the framework for professional esports, with a regular schedule and steady incomes for players. The LCS season includes spring and summer seasons, followed by a championship tournament.
4. League of Legends European Championship (LEC)
After the success of the LCS in North America, Riot turned its focus to Europe. In 2013, the first-ever LEC started. The LEC recently changed its structure to include spring, winter, and summer playing seasons. It’s known for its fierce competition, with a cut-throat round-robin format.
3. League of Legends Pro League (LPL)
The LPL also started in 2013, bringing pro-level LoL to China. In its first year, it was incredibly popular in China, and Riot Games introduced English language commentators to cater to global audiences. Edward Gaming and OMG are still active, but newcomers RNG have become the leaders in Chinese esports.
2. Mid-Season Invitational (MSI)
The Mid-Season Invitational is the most anticipated tournament after Worlds. It’s the first time teams from different regions compete in the year. The MSI has two stages: the play-in stage and the bracket stage. In 2023, the number of participants increased to 13, and viewing figures for the bracket stage reached new records.
1. League of Legends Worlds
Now, let’s talk about Worlds. It’s the grand finale of the LoL season, where the best teams come together. It’s hugely popular, with the 2022 grand finals having over 5.15 million viewers. T1 from South Korea has won the trophy three times, but anyone can win the title. No other team has won more than once in the history of the tournament.
Ready to plan your League of Legends viewing? Check the tournament schedule for the latest start dates and event fixtures.