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LoL Esports World Cup format, schedule, and participating teams
h
Hamza Rashid
Gamer
03 Feb 2026
Updated On
The League of Legends Esports World Cup 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive tournaments of the year. With top teams from Korea, China, EMEA, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific, the event brings the best talent from every major region into a high-stakes global bracket.
Now, 12 elite teams are set to clash in a two-stage format beginning July 16. With a brutal Group Stage followed by a single-elimination Knockout bracket, every match will matter. Whether you’re rooting for giants like T1 and Gen.G or dark horses like GAM and Movistar KOI, it’s guaranteed to be a big deal.
Here’s everything you need to know about the format, schedule, and team rosters for the League of Legends Esports World Cup.
How do teams qualify for LoL Esports World Cup 2025?
The journey to the League of Legends Esports World Cup 2025 started with Split 2 tournaments across all major regions (LCK, LPL, LEC, LTA, and LCP). Each region ran its own regular season and playoff format, where the top two teams proceeded to the Mid-Season Invitational.
At MSI, ten teams (two per region) faced off in a global showdown. The top 4 then earned direct spots in the Knockout Stage of the World Cup, skipping the Group Stage entirely and gaining a massive advantage. The runner-up’s region also unlocked an extra seed, which made MSI more than just a mid-year tournament.
The remaining teams could still earn their spot at the World Cup through strong finishes in their domestic leagues. Some even qualified through events like the Road to MSI, while last year’s World Cup winner, T1, was automatically locked in. All of these landed in the Group Stage, where they must prove themselves once again to make it to the Knockouts.
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What is the format of LoL Esports World Cup 2025?
With the 12 best teams in the world locked in, the League of Legends Esports World Cup kicks off in two phases: Group Stage and Knockout Stage.
The lineup for the Group Stage includes last year’s champion and the top teams from every region. Here, they fight each other in a GSL-style format.
Teams are divided into two groups of four
All matches are played as best-of-one
It is a quick and brutal test, as one or two losses can mean the end of the journey. Only the top two teams from each group move forward to the Knockout Stage.
The Knockout Stage then brings in the group qualifiers and the four MSI teams in a single elimination bracket.
Quarterfinals and Semifinals are a best-of-three
The Grand Finals are a best-of-five
There is no lower bracket or second chances, meaning every series is a win-or-go-home, making for an intense finish to the tournament.
What is the schedule for LoL Esports World Cup 2025?
Once the stage is set, it all comes down to the matchdays. Here is how the schedule is shaping up:
Group Stage (July 16 - July 17)
The tournament kicks off with the Group Stage, where 8 teams battle it out in two GSL-style groups. Each match is a fast-paced best-of-one:
Matches start at 2:00 PM KST to 9:00 PM KST
Day 2 (July 17) continues the GSL bracket and wraps up the Group Stage
By the end of Thursday, we will know which 4 teams make it to the Knockouts
Knockout Stage (July 17 - July 20)
Right after the Groups wrap, we jump straight into the Knockouts. The 4 Group Stage qualifiers join the 4 MSI teams in a single-elimination bracket:
Quarterfinals start on the evening of July 17 and continue through July 18
Semifinals take place on July 19, just one win away from the Grand Finals
The third-place match takes place on July 20, right before the Grand Finals
Grand Finals take place on July 20 to crown the 2025 World Champion
Which teams are competing in LoL Esports World Cup 2025?
Here is a full list of participating teams with their current rosters:
There is tons of firepower in this lineup, but T1 instantly draws attention. As defending World Cup Champions, plus Faker and kkOma on their side, they will be the ones to watch. They fought through a brutal MSI run, including a 3-2 clutch reverse sweep over CFO, which shows they are coming in hot.
AG.AL1 and Bilibili Gaming are also on the rise, as both teams had solid showings at MSI. Gen.G and G2 Esports also continue to be steady forces at the top, so there are no surprises there. But the wildcards this year could be Movistar KOI and FlyQuest, as they have been turning heads with impressive wins and steady growth, so expect a few upsets in the coming weeks.
GAM Esports could also be looking like potential dark horses. Levi is still one of their most experienced junglers in the game, and their recent win over FURIA shows they can hold their own against the big regions. Overall, this year’s mix has the perfect blend of seasoned giants and challengers for an epic tournament.
FAQs
Teams qualify through regional Split 2 tournaments, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), Road to MSI events, and last year's World Cup win. The top 4 at MSI skip the Group Stage.
It features a Group Stage (GSL format, Bo1) and a Knockout Stage (single elimination). The top 2 from each group advance to Knockouts, joining the 4 MSI teams. Quarter/Semis are Bo3, Finals are Bo5.
Group Stage is July 16-17. Knockouts (Quarterfinals to Grand Finals) run July 17-20. Matches start at 2 PM KST to 9 PM KST.
Teams include T1, Gen.G, AG.AL1, Bilibili Gaming, Movistar KOI, and G2 Esports, representing Korea, China, EMEA, and the Americas. See the blog post for full rosters.
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