Riot Games has officially announced that the 2025 League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) will be returning to China, marking its first appearance there since 2020. This decision brings back memories of past events held in Beijing and Shanghai, which previously played host to the prestigious tournament in 2017 and 2020. As of now, the exact cities that will host each stage of Worlds 2025 have not been confirmed, but it’s anticipated that some of the venues currently used by the LPL (League of Legends Pro League) could be prime candidates for the event.
The excitement for Worlds 2025 is not just limited to its location. Riot Games is also shaking up the competitive scene in significant ways. New tournament formats and event structures have been introduced in recent years, such as the Swiss Stage at Worlds 2023, and the double-elimination bracket at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). For 2025, Riot has added a third international event to the annual League of Legends calendar, which will take place in March 2025. This new event, along with Fearless Draft—a mode where teams cannot pick the same champions more than once in a series—promises to add even more excitement and unpredictability to competitive play.
These changes are part of a broader effort to create a more dynamic and viewer-friendly experience. Riot has also introduced multi-region leagues across Asia-Pacific (APAC) and the Americas, featuring guest team slots that allow for more inter-regional competition. Additionally, the Mid-Season Invitational will move to July instead of May, and the year will culminate in a Regional Championship before Worlds, which will determine the best teams from each region.
The return of Worlds to China in 2025 is seen as a strategic move by Riot Games, given China’s immense esports fanbase and the country’s history of hosting successful international events. With a combination of structural innovations, new formats, and a return to familiar grounds, Worlds 2025 is poised to be one of the most thrilling esports spectacles in recent history.
