Last Updated on 2025 年 11 月 2 日 by 総合編集組
League of Legends Worlds 2025: The Ultimate Guide to the 15th Anniversary Esports Spectacle
The 2025 League of Legends World Championship (Worlds 2025) marks a historic milestone—the 15th anniversary of LoL esports. Hosted across three iconic Chinese cities—Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu—this global showdown runs from October 14 to November 9, featuring 17 elite teams battling for a $5 million prize pool. For the first time, Fearless Draft is fully implemented across all Bo3 and Bo5 matches, revolutionizing strategic depth and hero pool management. This guide breaks down the format, teams, patch insights, and cultural impact—everything international fans need to follow the action.
Tournament Structure: A Cross-China Esports Odyssey
Worlds 2025 adopts a multi-city tour format, enhancing accessibility and regional pride:
- Play-In Stage: October 14, Beijing Smart Esports Center
- Swiss Stage: October 15–25, Beijing
- Knockout Stage (Quarterfinals & Semifinals): October 28–November 2, Shanghai (venue TBD)
- Grand Final: November 9, Dong’an Lake Sports Park Gymnasium, Chengdu (with opening ceremony)
The Play-In is now a single high-stakes Bo5 showdown between the #4 seeds of LCK and LPL. Defending champions T1 defeated Invictus Gaming (IG) 3-1, securing their Swiss Stage spot in a dramatic opener that set global viewership records early.
The Swiss Stage requires teams to win 3 matches to advance or lose 3 to be eliminated, ensuring high-intensity matchups from the start. The Knockout Stage follows a single-elimination Bo5 bracket, culminating in Chengdu’s state-of-the-art arena.
Fearless Draft: The Game-Changing Rule Redefining Strategy
Introduced at MSI and now mandatory at Worlds, Fearless Draft prohibits both teams from reusing a champion picked in any prior game within a series. In a full Bo5:
- Minimum 15 unique champions per team required
- Total 30 distinct heroes across both sides
This forces coaching staffs to prepare deep hero pools and make critical decisions: deploy a Tier-0 meta pick (e.g., Lee Sin with near-100% win rate in sub-patches) early for a guaranteed win, or save it for later? Teams like BLG with six-man rotations gain a massive edge in flexibility, while traditional powerhouses must adapt or risk hero depletion in late games.
Power Rankings: The Top Contenders
Pre-tournament rankings highlight LCK dominance, but LPL’s home advantage and adaptability shine:
| Rank | Team | Region | Key Strength | Narrative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gen.G | LCK | MSI + LCK Summer champions; all-five-star roster | Chasing grand slam immortality |
| 2 | HLE | LCK | Zeus bolsters top lane; Peanut’s jungle mastery | Breaking the Gen.G ceiling |
| 3 | BLG | LPL | All-Chinese roster; six-man flexibility | Ending LPL’s 4-year title drought |
| 4 | T1 | LCK | Back-to-back champions; Faker’s legacy | Three-peat from Play-In underdogs |
| 5 | AL | LPL | EWC dark horse performance | Proving consistency post-summer slump |
| 6 | TES | LPL | Kanavi jungle carry; JackeyLove’s farewell tour | Emotional final run before medical hiatus |
| 7 | KT | LCK | Bdd-Cuzz mid-jungle synergy | Summer black horse momentum |
Gen.G enters as the undisputed favorite, with a roster dubbed “the greatest in LoL history.” HLE seeks redemption, powered by Zeus and Peanut’s championship hunger. BLG leverages home crowd energy and Knight’s mid-lane brilliance. T1 fights for a historic three-peat despite starting in Play-In.
Patch 25.20: Stability Meets Tactical Precision
Worlds runs on Patch 25.20, a pro-focused balance update with no major overhauls. The headline change:
- Lane swap detection extended from 3:00 to 4:00
This nerfs early 2v1 tower dives, forcing sustained 1v1 top lane matchups and amplifying individual skill gaps. Top laners like Zeus and Kiin thrive in prolonged duels, while jungle-mid coordination becomes critical for northern map control (e.g., Voidgrubs).
Meta staples include Alistar, Corki, and Orianna, but Fearless Draft elevates Tier-2 flex picks like Neeko and Ryze. Teams must master 15+ viable champions per role to survive deep Bo5 runs.
Cultural Impact & Global Hype
Riot celebrates 15 years with:
- Redesigned Summoner’s Cup honoring classic aesthetics
- Theme song by G.E.M., a known LoL fan
- Legacy skins for 2018 champions IG and 2017 SSG (Gen.G predecessor)
- Xin Zhao “Trial Dusk” skin with esports revenue share
AI predictions favor a T1 vs. Gen.G finals for peak viewership, blending legacy and dominance. Western teams (LEC/LTA) were eliminated by quarterfinals, sparking self-deprecating memes on Reddit—yet LPL’s banter videos, rich with global in-jokes, earned universal praise.
Fans engage via Crystal Ball predictions on LoLEsports.com, unlocking Drops for epic moments (pentakills, Baron steals).
Final Thoughts
Worlds 2025 is more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of resilience, innovation, and global passion. Fearless Draft ensures no team can rely on comfort picks. Patch 25.20 rewards mechanical mastery. And 17 teams write the next chapter of LoL history. Whether Gen.G cements a dynasty, T1 defies odds, or LPL reclaims glory on home soil, this is esports at its finest.
⚠️ Disclaimer: All information is based on official Riot Games announcements as of October 31, 2025. Schedules, rosters, and patch notes are subject to change—always verify via LoLEsports.com.
