China Hosts League of Legends Worlds 2025 – New Format, Venues & Fan Hype

Alright, League of Legends fans, it’s official. Riot Games has announced that the 2025 League of Legends World Championship is heading back to China. Yeah, you heard that right, the home of esports hype is about to light up our screens once more. From October 14 to November 9, the greatest teams in LoL will fight tooth and nail for the Summoner’s Cup in what promises to be one of the most intense esports events of the year. 

But this isn’t just another Worlds event in China. Riot is kicking things up a notch this time, introducing new locations, upgraded venues, and features that’ll have competitors and fans alike buzzing with anticipation. Let’s break it down.

What Are the League of Legends Worlds 2025 Stages About?

The Play-In and Swiss Stages – Beijing Smart Esports Center 

Look, we all know the Play-In stage has generally felt like the appetizer of Worlds (don’t even try to deny it). But this year? It actually sounds fire. Starting October 14, 17 teams will duke it out in Beijing’s state-of-the-art Smart Esports Center, a venue purpose-built just for esports events. Bet you can already feel the energy of crowds screaming over their favorite underdog team pulling off a surprise victory. 

And here’s something spicy: a one-day best-of-five showdown will kick off between the fourth-seeded teams from the two top-performing MSI regions. Basically, if you thought the underdog narratives at Play-In couldn’t get crazier, Riot just doubled the stakes. 

Swiss Stage Madness – October 15-25 

Once you’re through the Play-In chaos, that’s when the real party begins. The Swiss Stage. Sixteen teams go head-to-head in this hyper-dynamic format where one match could mean salvation, and the next could spell doom. Wins get you closer to Knockout contention; L’s bring you closer to an empty flight home. It’s simple, brutal, and oh-so-entertaining. 

Knockout Stage – Mercedes-Benz Arena, Shanghai 

When it’s time for the big dogs to flex, the tournament moves to the world-famous Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai from October 28 to November 2. If you don’t already know, this venue is a literal temple of esports (as well as music and K-pop, but that’s another story). 

For the first time at Worlds, the transition from Quarterfinals to Semifinals happens without a break. No breather. Just absolute back-to-back bangers. It’s like Riot is skipping straight to the good part of the Netflix binge. Can you survive the cinematic intensity? Probably not, emotionally speaking, but we’re all in anyway.

Finals – Dong’an Lake Sports Park Multifunction Gymnasium, Chengdu 

Ah, the grand finale. November 9. The final two teams will clash at the architecturally stunning Dong’an Lake Sports Park in Chengdu. Imagine a breathtaking, modern stadium as the backdrop to one of the most high-stakes battles in esports. The sheer drama of flashy Baron steals, game-deciding ace moments, and the heartbreak of a Nexus falling? You know it’s going to deliver. 

This is where legends are minted. Everyone remembers who lifts the Summoner’s Cup, and this year is no different. Will an underdog get their Cinderella ending? Will the titan favorites stomp their way to a win? All we know is, it’s going to be epic.

Join in the Hype