LoL: After LCK, LPL gets a fourth Worlds slot as being at least the second-best region at MSI 2025

After Bilibili Gaming’s hard-fought 3–2 win over FlyQuest, the Mid-Season Invitational 2025 bracket now guarantees the LPL at least a second-place regional finish — and with it, a fourth seed for Worlds. With two Chinese teams still alive in the Lower Bracket and an all-LCK clash between Gen.G and T1 set for the Upper Bracket Final, the LPL, just like the LCK is certain to have a squad fighting for a spot in the Grand Final, ensuring they can’t finish lower than second best region overall at MSI.

Under the new Worlds qualification system introduced last year, the winner of MSI directly qualifies for Worlds 2025 — provided they reach their domestic Summer Playoffs — and the second-best performing region at MSI also earns a fourth seed, starting in the Play-In Stage. This fourth slot gives the LPL the chance to send four teams to Worlds once again, just as they did in 2024 when Bilibili Gaming’s MSI run secured the same advantage.

While the Play-In Stage at Worlds was traditionally a longer phase involving multiple best-of series between third seeds from major regions and champions of minor regions, the 2025 format is once again completely different. This year, the Play-In will consist of a single best-of-five-game, played between the fourth seeds of the LCK and the LPL. With the bracket now set, these are the only two regions guaranteed a fourth slot thanks to their performance at MSI 2025.

In total, 17 teams will qualify for Worlds, but only 15 will advance directly to the Main Stage. Last year’s format gave both regions crucial extra slots, enabling T1’s path to a fifth World Championship. This year, LCK and LPL’s fourth seeds will clash in a high-stakes best-of-five in Beijing, with a main stage spot on the line.

But before setting our eyes on Worlds, Bilibili Gaming will continue their Lower Bracket run at MSI, facing Anyone’s Legend in a rematch of the LPL Split 2 Grand Final. AL is logically the favorite, having not lost a single series to BLG this year. Whoever wins will still have to overcome both T1 and Gen.G to have a chance at bringing the title home.