TLDR;
This video provides a comprehensive overview of every League of Legends World Championship from Season 1 (2011) to the present, 2025. It covers the evolution of the tournament format, memorable moments, key teams and players, and significant upsets.
- The tournament has evolved significantly over the years, from a small event at DreamHack to a global spectacle.
- Key moments include Fnatic's Season 1 victory, Taipei Assassins' unexpected win in Season 2, and Samsung White's dominance in 2014.
- Faker's career is a central theme, with multiple world titles and iconic performances.
- Upsets and unexpected runs are common, with teams like DRX (2022) and Waybo Gaming (2023) making deep runs against the odds.
Season 1 [0:00]
The inaugural League of Legends World Championship, known as the Season 1 Championship, took place in 2011 at DreamHack in Jönköping, Sweden. It featured only eight invited teams: three from North America, three from Europe, and two from Southeast Asia. Fnatic emerged as the champions, defeating Against All Authority in the finals. The tournament was unique for its double-elimination format, a feature not seen in subsequent World Championships. Despite its small scale and basic production, the event was a success, drawing over 200,000 viewers on Twitch and paving the way for Riot's future esports investments.
Season 2 [2:13]
Season 2 Worlds in 2012 marked a significant expansion, increasing the number of teams to 12 and including representation from China, Korea, and Taiwan. The tournament was held in Los Angeles. It was plagued by technical issues, including a notable 8-hour delay in the quarterfinal match between CLG EU and World Elite due to network problems. The Taipei Assassins emerged as surprise champions, defeating Azubu Frost in the finals and claiming the $1 million grand prize. This event was the first to award the Summoner's Cup and World skins.
Season 3 [4:56]
Worlds 2013 was held again in Los Angeles, with the finals at the Staples Center. The tournament expanded to 14 teams, with top seeds from Korea, China, NA, and the LMS receiving automatic quarterfinal bids. This year was notable for being Faker's first Worlds appearance after his explosive rookie year. SKT dominated the tournament, defeating Uzi and Royal Club in the finals to secure the first world title for both Faker and Korea. The event also featured the first real opening ceremony.
2014 [6:31]
Worlds 2014 is considered the first modern World Championship, featuring the release of the first World's Anthem, "Warriors," performed live by Imagine Dragons at the opening ceremony in Seoul World Cup Stadium. The tournament expanded to 16 teams and introduced the group stage era with four groups of four teams. Samsung White dominated the competition, defeating their sister team Samsung Blue in the semifinals and Royal Club in the finals. Mata was named tournament MVP, and Samsung White's performance is regarded as one of the most dominant in Worlds history.
2015 [8:00]
The 2015 World Championship featured a chaotic meta due to the juggernaut patch, which significantly altered champion balance. Europe had a strong showing, with Fnatic and Origen reaching the semifinals, while North America struggled. Tournament favorites LGD from China failed to advance from the group stage. SKT, led by Faker, returned to Worlds after missing the previous year and won their second world championship, defeating the KOO Tigers in the finals. Marin was awarded MVP.
2016 [9:28]
Worlds 2016 was marked by several upsets, including INTZ from Brazil defeating EDG in the first game. Albus NoX Luna (ANX), a wildcard team from Russia, eliminated CLG and G2 from Group A. SKT and the ROX Tigers faced off in an epic five-game semifinal series. Samsung Galaxy, as the third seed, defeated SKT in a long, five-game final, with Faker being crowned MVP.
2017 [11:53]
The 2017 World Championship introduced the play-in stage, increasing the total number of teams to 24. All three major region play-in teams advanced to the knockout stage. Fnatic had an impressive run, going 4-0 after starting 0-4 in the group stage. Samsung Galaxy defeated tournament favorites Longzhu Gaming in the quarterfinals and WE in the semifinals. SKT barely survived two five-game series against Misfits and RNG. Samsung Galaxy won the finals 3-0, ending the first SKT dynasty, and Ruler earned the Finals MVP.
2018 [13:55]
2018 marked a shift in dominance as Korea faltered. Gen.G, formerly Samsung, became the first Korean team to fall in the group stage. Invictus Gaming (IG) from China defeated KT Rolster in a five-game quarterfinal series. Cloud9 reached the top four for the first time since 2011, and G2 upset RNG. IG defeated Fnatic 3-0 in the finals, securing China's first World title and breaking the Korean teams dominance.
2019 [15:15]
Worlds returned to Europe in 2019. G2 Esports had a successful year, winning spring, MSI, and summer splits. All three EU teams made it out of groups, while all three NA teams failed to advance. G2 defeated Damwon Gaming and SKT to reach the finals. However, they were swept 3-0 by FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) from China, with Tian earning finals MVP.
2020 [16:49]
The 2020 World Championship was held in China without live audiences due to the pandemic. Damwon Gaming and Top Esports dominated the group stage, while TSM had a disappointing 0-6 performance. Suning, a third seed from the LPL, made a surprising run to the finals, defeating JDG and Top Esports. Damwon Gaming defeated Suning 3-1 in the finals, with Canyon winning finals MVP. Bin from Suning secured the first pentakill in a World Finals game.
2021 [18:09]
Worlds 2021 featured an intense group stage with six tiebreaker games. DWG KIA (formerly Damwon Gaming) dominated Group A. EDG went on a run, defeating RNG and Gen.G to reach their first World Final. EDG defeated DWG KIA 3-2 in the finals, with Scout winning finals MVP, marking China's third World Championship in four years.
2022 [19:36]
2022 was a challenging year for the West, with only Rogue making it out of groups. T1, with Faker and a rebuilt roster, aimed for glory. DRX, as the LCK's fourth seed, went on an improbable run, defeating EDG, Gen.G, and ultimately T1 in a thrilling five-game final. Deft, after a decade-long career, finally won his first World Championship, and the team was doubted and dismissed.
2023 [23:54]
Worlds 2023 introduced the Swiss stage format, replacing the group stage. NRG from the LCS was the only Western team to advance to the quarterfinals. Weibo Gaming, China's fourth seed, made a surprising run to the finals. T1 defeated LNG, BLG, and JDG to face Weibo Gaming in the finals. T1 won 3-0, securing Faker's fourth world title and reigniting the SKT legacy.
2024 [26:03]
2024 was expected to be a battle between Gen.G and BLG. FlyQuest was the only Western team to escape the Swiss stage. BLG breezed to the finals, while Gen.G narrowly survived a five-game series with FlyQuest. T1, as Korea's fourth seed, defeated Gen.G to reach their third straight world final. Faker led T1 to victory, earning finals MVP and securing his fifth world title.
2025 [27:51]
The 15th World Championship in 2025 features a redesigned Summoner's Cup and a downsized tournament with 17 teams due to regional consolidation. The final match is between China's fourth seed, an IG roster with Rookie and TheShy, and Korea's fourth seed, T1, who are coming in on the back foot after losing Zeus in the offseason.