Every year, the League of Legends World Championship – known universally as “Worlds” – brings together the elite of professional LoL for a spectacle like no other. Orchestrated by Riot Games, this international tournament marks the climax of each competitive season, where top-tier teams battle for the prestigious Summoner’s Cup (a hefty 44-pound trophy), eternal glory, and millions in prize money.
It’s not just the gameplay that captures attention – Worlds is celebrated for its dazzling live performances and jaw-dropping production quality. The drama, heartbreaks, comebacks, and legacy-building moments combine to deliver an emotional rollercoaster that resonates with fans worldwide. In 2018, the finals shattered records, drawing in nearly 100 million viewers – a testament to just how colossal the event had become.
Among the decorated competitors, South Korea’s legendary team T1 stands out, having claimed the championship title five times – a feat unmatched in esports history.
A Look Back at the Early Years
Season 1 (2011): A Modest Beginning with Massive Impact
Held at DreamHack Summer in Sweden, the inaugural Worlds featured a humble $100,000 prize pool and eight teams. While modest in scale, over 1.6 million tuned in online – an early sign of the storm to come. Fnatic took home the crown, with Shushei named MVP.
Season 2 (2012): Bigger Stakes, Bigger Stage
Riot ramped things up with a $5 million total pool spread across the season. The finals, staged in L.A.’s Galen Center, saw Taiwan’s Taipei Assassins topple Azubu Frost to claim $1 million. A record-breaking 8 million fans watched the matches, with 1.1 million tuning in live for the final game.
Season 3 (2013): A Dynasty Is Born
SK Telecom T1 (SKT) dominated the competition and won their first world title at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. With 32 million viewers and 8.5 million concurrent during the final, the world took notice: esports had officially arrived.
2014: A Global Tour de Force
Now simply branded by the year, the 2014 edition spanned Taipei, Singapore, Busan, and Seoul. Samsung Galaxy White overwhelmed the competition, and Mata earned MVP. Imagine Dragons performed “Warriors” live, enhancing an already epic final viewed by over 27 million people.
2015: Expansion and Evolution
More teams, more cities, and a second Riot-hosted event (Mid-Season Invitational) made 2015 a year of expansion. SKT reclaimed their throne in Europe, defeating KOO Tigers. Viewership peaked at 36 million.
2016: SKT’s Reign Continues
The United States hosted all stages of the tournament. With Faker at the helm, SKT edged out Samsung Galaxy 3–2 in an intense final. The viewership? A staggering 43 million, breaking the previous year’s record.
2017: A New Challenger Emerges
Held across China, the tournament culminated in a dramatic upset: Samsung Galaxy swept SKT 3–0, reversing the 2016 outcome. Ruler claimed MVP. The final attracted 60 million viewers – esports wasn’t just big, it was colossal.
2018: China’s Rise to Power
South Korea hosted again, but it was China’s Invictus Gaming that seized the moment. Their 3–0 victory over Fnatic marked China’s first Worlds win, and MVP honors went to Ning. A record-breaking 99.6 million watched – nearly as many as the Super Bowl.
2019: Back-to-Back for the LPL
Europe set the stage, but FunPlus Phoenix of China crushed G2 Esports in Paris, cementing LPL dominance. Tian’s stellar play earned him MVP, and viewership soared past 100 million with a peak of 44 million concurrent.
2020: A Pandemic-Era Spectacle
COVID-19 forced a single-city setup in Shanghai. With no fans at early matches, the grand final saw limited attendance. Damwon Gaming triumphed over Suning 3–1, with Canyon as MVP. Bin’s pentakill during the finals made history, as did the 46 million peak viewers.
2021: The Rise of EDG
Iceland hosted the fanless edition due to pandemic concerns. Edward Gaming toppled DWG KIA in a 3–2 thriller, with Scout securing MVP. Despite limitations, the finals peaked at nearly 74 million viewers.
2022: The Cinderella Run
In North America, DRX shocked the world. Starting from the play-ins, they made an incredible underdog run, culminating in a 3–2 win over favorites T1 at the Chase Center. Kingen was MVP, and their journey became the stuff of legend.
2023: The Return of the Kings
Held in Seoul and Busan, South Korea played host to T1’s redemption arc. After years of heartbreak, they clinched their fourth world title on home soil, reaffirming their legacy as the most decorated team in Worlds history.
More Than a Tournament
From humble beginnings to stadium-packing, record-smashing extravaganzas, the League of Legends World Championship is more than an event – it’s a cultural milestone, an esports touchstone, and an annual saga that keeps millions on the edge of their seats. And with each new season, one question echoes louder: who will write the next chapter?
Looking Ahead
On January 8, 2025, Riot Games unveiled exciting news for League of Legends fans: the 2026 World Championship will take place in North America, while the 2027 event will head to South Korea – home turf to some of the game’s most legendary moments.
The Iconic Trophy
Known as the Summoner’s Cup, this championship trophy stands as a symbol of ultimate glory in League of Legends. Riot Games originally commissioned it to weigh 70 pounds (around 32 kilograms), but practicality won out – the final version was made lighter to ensure champions could hoist it high without struggling. In fact, the 2012 and 2014 iterations of the trophy were crafted by the British luxury brand Thomas Lyte.
Then came a bold partnership in 2022. Riot Games teamed up with Tiffany & Co., the American jewelry giant, to create a new version of the Summoner’s Cup. Sleeker, shinier, and weighing in at 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms), this redesign married esports prestige with world-class craftsmanship.
Champions Through the Years
By Year
| Year | Host City | Champion | Score | Runner-up | Games Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Jönköping | Fnatic | 2–1 | Against All Authority | 8 |
| 2012 | Los Angeles | Taipei Assassins | 3–1 | Azubu Frost | 12 |
| 2013 | Los Angeles | SK Telecom T1 | 3–0 | Royal Club | 14 |
| 2014 | Seoul | Samsung White | 3–1 | Royal Club | 16 |
| 2015 | Berlin | SK Telecom T1 | 3–1 | KOO Tigers | 16 |
| 2016 | Los Angeles | SK Telecom T1 | 3–2 | Samsung Galaxy | 16 |
| 2017 | Beijing | Samsung Galaxy | 3–0 | SK Telecom T1 | 24 |
| 2018 | Incheon | Invictus Gaming | 3–0 | Fnatic | 24 |
| 2019 | Paris | FunPlus Phoenix | 3–0 | G2 Esports | 24 |
| 2020 | Shanghai | Damwon Gaming | 3–1 | Suning | 22 |
| 2021 | Reykjavík | Edward Gaming | 3–2 | DWG KIA | 22 |
| 2022 | San Francisco | DRX | 3–2 | T1 | 24 |
| 2023 | Seoul | T1 | 3–0 | Weibo Gaming | 22 |
| 2024 | London | T1 | 3–2 | Bilibili Gaming | 20 |
| 2025 | Chengdu | – | – | – | 17 |
Regional Showdown
| Region | Championships | Runner-up Finishes | Total Appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea (LCK) | 9 | 6 | 15 |
| China (LPL) | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| EMEA (LEC) | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Asia-Pacific (PCS) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Team Records
Italicized names indicate teams that are disbanded, acquired, or no longer active in their regional leagues.
| Team | Region | Titles | Runner-up | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | LCK | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| Gen.G | LCK | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Fnatic | LEC | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Dplus KIA | LCK | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Invictus Gaming | LPL | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| J Team | PCS | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| FunPlus Phoenix | LPL | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Edward Gaming | LPL | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| DRX | LCK | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Royal Never Give Up | LPL | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Weibo Gaming | LPL | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| G2 Esports | LEC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Hanwha Life Esports | LCK | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Against All Authority | LEC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| CJ Entus | LCK | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Bilibili Gaming | LPL | 0 | 1 | 1 |
The story of the League of Legends World Championship is still being written – and with each passing year, new heroes rise, dynasties fall, and the battle for the Summoner’s Cup grows even more legendary.
