LoL: Riot Games Unveils the Formats for MSI and Worlds 2025

Riot Games has shared details on the formats of their two main international events: MSI, set to take place in Canada between June and July, and Worlds, which will be held in China from October to November.

The MSI 2025 will feature 10 teams, with the top two from each of the five major regions. The winner secures a direct spot at Worlds (provided the team reaches the playoffs of its region’s final split), while the runner-up’s region earns a fourth Worlds seed.

The First Stand, set to take place in a few days, will also impact the MSI. The first seed from each region during the Spring Split and the second seed from the winning region of First Stand will advance directly to the Bracket Stage (six teams), while the remaining four teams must go through the Play-In.
The Play-In follows a Bo5 GSL format, qualifying two teams (those finishing 2-0 and 2-1). Finally, The Bracket Stage features a Bo5 double-elimination format between the eight remaining teams.

The Worlds will present 17 teams, with the fourth seeds from regions that obtained an additional spot during MSI starting in the Play-In. these teams will face off in a single elimination BO5 to qualify for the next stage. The rest of the competition will follow the same format as last year, with the 16 teams competing in a Swiss Stage through five rounds. The eight teams with three wins will advance to the Knockout Stage, which will be played in a single-elimination bracket to crown the successor of T1.