LoL Worlds 2025: Location, Format, and Teams Guide
Last Updated: November 14, 2025
The League of Legends World Championship stands as the undisputed pinnacle of esports, and the 2025 season is set to usher in the most transformative era in the game's history. With a complete overhaul of the global league structure, a new international tournament on the calendar, and a redefined path to glory, all eyes are on the grand finale.
As the world's best teams prepare for a new competitive landscape, we have consolidated all the official details for the 2025 LoL World Championship. This is your authoritative guide to the host region scramble, the groundbreaking format, and the journey teams must undertake to hoist the Summoner's Cup.
The Race to Host Worlds 2025: What We Know
As of now, Riot Games has not officially announced the host region for the 2025 League of Legends World Championship. The location for the globe's most-watched esports event is typically revealed during the finals of the preceding year's tournament, meaning fans should look for a formal announcement during the Worlds 2024 broadcast.
While previous speculation had pointed towards a return to China, those plans are not current. The global rotation of the event suggests that North America could be a strong contender to host in 2025, following Europe's hosting of the 2024 Finals in London. Regardless of the final decision, the host region will provide a spectacular backdrop for the culmination of a historic season.
A Revolution in Competition: The New Worlds 2025 Format
The structure of the World Championship is undergoing a major overhaul. For 2025, the tournament will feature a streamlined and hyper-competitive field of 16 teams. This condensed format is a core part of a global evolution designed to make every international match more meaningful.
Qualification has been completely redefined. The introduction of a new, third international tournament and a revitalized Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) will now directly influence which teams and regions make it to Worlds.
Here is the official breakdown of the 16 slots for the 2025 World Championship:
- Americas (New Merged League): 3 slots
- EMEA (LEC): 3 slots
- Korea (LCK): 3 slots
- China (LPL): 3 slots
- Asia-Pacific (APAC - New Merged League): 2 slots
- MSI Champion's Region: 1 additional slot
- Second-Best Region at MSI: 1 additional slot
This new system places immense importance on performance at MSI. The winning team automatically qualifies for Worlds, and in doing so, earns an additional, valuable slot for their home region. The second-best performing region at MSI also secures an extra berth, proving that regional strength on the international stage has never mattered more.
The Path to the Summoner's Cup: Meet the New Pro Leagues
While the final 16 teams will only be decided after a full season of elite play, the path to qualification is now forged through five consolidated super-leagues.
The new global regional structure is as follows:
- LPL (China): Remains a dominant force in the global landscape.
- LCK (Korea): Continues its legacy as a premier league for developing world-class talent.
- LEC (EMEA): Represents Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
- Americas League: A newly merged conference combining North America's LCS, Brazil's CBLOL, and Latin America's LLA into a single, powerhouse league with North and South conferences.
- APAC League: A new league formed by merging the pro circuits of Vietnam (VCS), Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao (PCS), Japan (LJL), and Oceania (LCO).
Success is no longer just about a strong finish in the summer. To make it to Worlds, teams must demonstrate consistent excellence across a grueling, year-long schedule.
A New Cadence: The 2025 LoL Esports Calendar
The entire 2025 season has been redesigned into a three-split structure, creating a year-long narrative with clear stakes at every turn.
- Split 1 (Start of the Year): Regional competition culminates in a brand-new international tournament in March, giving fans their first look at cross-regional play.
- Split 2 (Spring): The second regional split leads directly into the prestigious Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) in May.
- Split 3 (Summer): The final regional split serves as the last gauntlet for teams to qualify for Worlds through their league championships.
The World Championship itself is expected to maintain its traditional autumn window, likely spanning October and concluding with the Grand Final in early November.
Deeper Strategy: Fearless Draft and the Evolving Metagame
Beyond the format, the 2025 season is introducing a critical gameplay change to regional competition: Fearless Draft. This mode will be implemented during the elimination and finals stages of each region’s split playoffs.
In Fearless Draft, champions picked or banned in a game cannot be selected by that same team for the rest of the series. This strategic layer forces teams to showcase deeper champion pools and greater adaptability, preventing repetitive compositions and rewarding players with true champion mastery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About LoL Worlds 2025
Where is LoL Worlds 2025 being held?
The host region for the 2025 World Championship has not been announced yet. Riot Games is expected to reveal the location during the Worlds 2024 tournament.
How many teams will participate in Worlds 2025?
The tournament will feature a condensed, high-stakes format with 16 teams qualifying from the five major international leagues and their performance at MSI.
What is the prize pool for Worlds 2025?
The official prize pool has not been confirmed. For context, the Worlds 2023 prize pool was $2,225,000, which was supplemented by revenue from in-game cosmetic sales. The 2025 prize pool is expected to be similarly substantial.
How do teams qualify for Worlds 2025?
Teams primarily qualify by securing top placements in their respective regional league championships. Additionally, two extra slots are awarded based on performance at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI)—one to the champion's region and one to the second-best performing region. The MSI winning team also receives a direct qualification.