League of Legends Worlds: Clash of Champions

The League of Legends World Championship is the grandest stage in LoL esports. Every year, teams across the globe compete to be among the league of legends world championship winners. In 2025, the stakes are higher than ever: new format, new locations, and fresh challenges. This blog dives deep into Worlds 2025, its innovations, how it all works, and what to expect. Throughout, we’ll highlight past worlds winners, examine the history of lol worlds champions, and explore the clash league of legends this year will bring.

What Is the League of Legends World Championship?

  • The League of Legends World Championship (often called “Worlds”) is Riot Games’ annual global tournament to crown the best team in the world. 
  • The event features top teams from regional leagues (such as LCK, LPL, LEC, LCS, and others) who qualify via performance in their leagues and international events. 
  • Over the years, many teams have been crowned as worlds winners and joined the legacy of league of legends worlds champions. 

But 2025 brings new changes! A new structure, a new “draft” format, and new host cities.

league of legends worlds champions
worlds winners

Worlds Winners & LOL Worlds Champions: A Quick History

Before looking at 2025, it helps to know the legacy of lol worlds champions and worlds winners over time.

  • The first league of legends worlds champions were Fnatic in 2011. 
  • Since then, a few regions and teams have dominated:
      • T1 (formerly SK Telecom T1) holds the most titles in LoL history.
      • China’s LPL has also produced league of legends world championship winners like Invictus Gaming (2018), FunPlus Phoenix (2019), and Edward Gaming (2021). 
  • Each worlds winner adds to the prestige of being a lol worlds champion, inspiring future teams to aim higher.

Thus, anyone who becomes a league of legends world championship winner in 2025 enters that elite roster of lol worlds champions.

Worlds 2025 — What’s New & What to Expect

Dates, Hosts & Venue

  • Worlds 2025 will run from 14 October to 9 November 2025 in China. 
  • The tournament is split across three cities:
     • Beijing hosts the Play-In stage and Swiss rounds.
     • Shanghai hosts Quarterfinals and Semifinals.
     • Chengdu is the host city for the Grand Final, at the Dong’an Lake Sports Park Gymnasium.
  • Notably, the 2025 final will be held in an indoor arena, which is the first time in China’s Worlds history. 

Format & Structure for League of Legends

2025 introduces several changes that make this edition of Worlds special.

  1. Team Slots & Qualification
     - A total of 17 teams will qualify based on regional performance and results in the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI).
     - The fourth-seeded teams from LCK and LPL will play a best-of-five “play-in” match to secure the last spot in the Swiss stage.
  2. Swiss Stage
     - Once 16 teams are in, the Swiss format will be used. The first eight teams to reach three wins advance to the Knockout stage.
     - Teams with too many losses risk elimination or being knocked out early.
  3. Knockout Stage
     - Single-elimination bracket (quarterfinals, semifinals, final) with best-of-five matches.
     - There is no break between quarterfinals and semifinals this year.
  4. Fearless Draft
     - A major change in 2025 is the introduction of Fearless Draft in all best-of-3 and best-of-5 series (including Worlds).
     - Under Fearless Draft, champions that have been played by either team become unavailable (banned) for both teams for the remainder of the series.
     - This rule encourages more variety, deeper champion pools, and strategic decisions in each match.

Marketing, Song & Theme

  • The official slogan for Worlds 2025 is “Earn Your Legacy.”
  • Riot Games has confirmed that Chinese singer G.E.M. will perform the official Worlds 2025 anthem.
  • The anthem will be released on 10 October 2025, a few days before the tournament begins. 
  • Opening ceremonies will feature a fusion of music and performance, with artists from China and abroad planned.
league of legends world championship

How 2025 Impacts the Legacy of Worlds Winners

Because of the new structure and format, the 2025 edition could mark a turning point in how champions are made. Let’s consider some implications:

  • More uncertainty & greater competition: With Fearless Draft and a deeper pool of qualified teams, becoming one of the worlds winners will be harder.
  • Champion diversity: The ban on played champions in a series encourages teams to adapt and innovate — making it possible that less dominant regions or new entrants may break through and become new lol worlds champions.
  • Historical significance: Whoever wins in 2025 will join the star-studded list of league of legends world championship winners under a new era of competitive rules.
  • Shifting balance of power: With regions evolving and rules changing, past dominance (by T1 or LCK) may be challenged more fiercely than before.
clash league of legends

Outlook & Predictions

While we can’t know for sure who the league of legends world championship winner will be in 2025, a few factors give clues:

  1. Defending Champions & Favorites
     - T1 enters as the two-time defending champion.
     - Their experience and legacy make them a strong contender to remain among the league of legends worlds champions.
  2. Rising Regions
     - Teams from the LPL, LEC, or emerging regions might take advantage of rules like Fearless Draft to upset favorites.
     - The changing meta and forced diversity might allow surprises.
  3. Adapting to Format & Drafting
     - Teams that can adapt quickly, build broader champion pools, and think flexibly under pressure will be key to winning.
     - Mental strength and coaching will matter more than ever.

More Events to Watch in 2025

Final Thoughts

The League of Legends World Championship 2025 was full of action, new rules, and strong battles. A new team joined the list of great league of legends worlds champions, and fans saw why Worlds is the biggest clash league of legends event in the world. Each year, the story of lol worlds champions grows, and the excitement only gets bigger.

Want to follow more updates on worlds winners, esports news, and global events? Keep checking Xplooya, your simple guide to what’s happening around the world.

FAQ’s

Is T1 going to Worlds 2025?

Yes. T1, the defending champions from the LCK, qualified for the 2025 League of Legends World Championship on 18 September 2025.

Who won Season 2 of Worlds in League of Legends?

The Taipei Assassins won Season 2 of Worlds. They defeated Azubu Frost 3–1 in the final.

Is League of Legends free on PC?

Since its release in October 2009, League has been free-to-play and is monetized through purchasable character customization.