Worlds 2021 is finally upon us, and we’ve got just over a month of top-level League of Legends action to keep us busy. The global teams are now locked in, and details of the duration and format of the event have been made public. So check out our full guide below as we prepare for Worlds 2021 coverage.
What’s changing at Worlds 2021
No major format changes this year, with the Play-ins format remaining despite it not being used for MSI. Sadly, Vietnam (VCS) will again not be sending a team to Worlds due to continued travel restrictions on the region. Riot Games has awarded the team its share of the Prize Pool for attending, however.
As for what this does for Worlds, VCS pulling out will mean their spot in the Groups stage is handed to Europe. This change is taken as Europe is only sending three sides, and they’re the highest-seeded region with three or more entries that currently only has two teams in the Group Stage. Korea and China will be sending four sides, with just one each in Play-ins. Due to Europe’s higher seeding over North America, they take the spot.
When is Worlds 2021 happening?
Worlds begin on October 5th with the Play-ins stage and end on November 6th with the Grand Final. A full breakdown of the event can be found below.
Where is Worlds 2021 being played?
Worlds will once again be played on LAN, despite the global pandemic. After the success of the MSI event in Iceland, Riot Games has chosen to stick to what worked. Reykjavík, Iceland at the Laugardalshöll indoor sporting arena is the venue for the duration of Worlds.
Play-ins and Group Stage breakdown
Play-ins: October 5th — 9th
Split into two rounds, the Play-ins will first see the top side from the two groups moved into a second-round knockout stage. In that round, the matches move to Bo5 with 4th playing 3rd, and the winner of that playing the 2nd placed team from the opposite group. The winner of that match will then move up to compete in the Group Stage.
Group Stage: October 11 — 13th and 15 — 18th
All sixteen sides will be divided into four groups, with groups based on seeding. Groups will be double-elimination, Best-of-one with the top two sides advancing. They’ll be no second chance matches for the bottom sides in the groups.
Knockout Stage:
October 22nd-25th (Quarterfinals); 30th-31nd (Semifinals); November 6th (Finals)
The eight teams that advanced from the Group Stage will be moved into a single-elimination bracket. All matches from this point forward will move to a best-of-five format. Elimination stage matches will be decided by a draw, which will take place after the final day of the Group Stage.
How to watch Worlds 2021
Wherever you are in the world, the best option is always lolesports.com. Offering a host of different streaming services from Twitch to YouTube, alongside regional variants and local language broadcasts.
Teams Attending Worlds 2021
Top-seeded regions:
South Korea (LCK):
DAMWON Gaming
Gen.G Esports
T1
Hanwha Life Esports*
China (LPL):
Edward Gaming
FunPlus Phoenix
Royal Never Give Up
LNG Esports
Europe (LEC):
MAD Lions
Fnatic
Rogue
North America (LCS):
100 Thieves
Team Liquid
Cloud9
Wildcard Regions:
Taiwan/Hong Kong/ Southeast Asia (PCS):
PSG Talon
Beyond Gaming
Japan (LJL):
DetonatioN FocusMe
Turkey (TCL):
Galatasaray Esports
Latin America (LLA):
Infinity
Australia (LCO):
PEACE
Brazil (CBLOL):
RED Canids
Russia (LCL):
Unicorns of Love
*Teams in bold will need to advance via the Play-ins
Prize Pool
A total Prize Pool of just over $2 million is on offer, with more likely to be added with Worlds tie-in skin promotions. The Prize Pool split will be as follows:
1st – 37.5%
2nd -13.5%
3rd—4th – 7%
5th—8th – 4%
Keep an eye on the blog for more Worlds’ coverage as we get closer to the event.