Riot Games will host the 2025 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational at Pacific Coliseum from June 28 to July 13. The tournament opens with a play-in stage June 28-30 featuring No. 2 seeds from China’s LPL, Europe’s LEC, the Americas’ LTA and the Asia-Pacific LCP. The main bracket runs July 2-13, with all matches played as best-of-five.

South Korea’s LCK will be represented by defending champion Gen.G and second-seed T1. Gen.G enters off its breakthrough MSI title in 2024 and an unbeaten LCK regular season, capped by a 3-2 victory over Hanwha Life Esports to secure the top seed. The team aims to become the first to repeat as MSI champion. T1 punched its ticket by dispatching KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports in the regional qualifier. Led by Lee Sang-hyeok, known as Faker, T1 pursues its first MSI crown since 2017 and would join Royal Never Give Up as the only organizations with three titles.

Four No. 1 seeds will make their MSI debuts. Anyone’s Legend claimed the LPL’s top slot after defeating Bilibili Gaming and will field jungler Tarzan, mid laner Kael and ADC Hope. Movistar KOI rose to the summit of the LEC with Elyoya and Jojopyun on its roster. South America’s FURIA and APAC’s CTBC Flying Oyster also join as first-time participants. They will compete alongside established teams such as Bilibili Gaming, G2 Esports, FlyQuest and GAM Esports, bringing the field to 12.

The 2025 MSI introduces a GSL-style double-elimination format in play-ins and debuts the Fearless Draft system for ban and pick phases. The prize pool has expanded to $2 million, up from $250,000 last year, with additional funds from in-game skin sales. The champion earns an automatic berth in the World Championship group stage and can influence regional seed allocations through strong performances. LCK’s integrated season format, featuring an MSI qualifier, has sharpened teams’ multi-game endurance and series adaptability, traits that could prove decisive under the demanding schedule.