In an interview given by Chris Greeley
at the end of First Stand, the Global Head of
League of Legends Esports spoke about the financial health of the
LoL ecosystem and his long-term vision for the game and its competition. He also addressed the decision to
maintain Fearless Draft for the rest of the year, the ongoing communication between
Riot Games and teams worldwide, and the prize pools of international competitions (First Stand, MSI, and Worlds) as well as potential bonuses related to merch revenues.
Greeley confirmed the prize pools for Riot’s international events in 2025. First Stand featured a $1 million prize pool, MSI is set at $2 million, and Worlds will boast a $5 million prize pool. He also noted that digital merchandise revenue could further increase these figures, continuing Riot’s recent trend of expanding financial incentives for teams and players.
In comparison, according to the rulebooks of the competitions, the prize pool for the LEC this year is €80,000, which is distributed among the top four teams based on their rankings. In the LTA, the winner received the prize pool from First Stand, while the other three teams shared $40,000 ($20,000 for the finalists, 100 Thieves). For the recently concluded First Stand, which Hanwha Life Esports won, the prize pool was as follows:
| Placement | Percentage | Cash Payout |
|---|
| Hanwha Life Esports | 30% | $300,000 |
| Karmine Corp | 22.5% | $225,000 |
| Top Esports/CFO | 17.25% | $172,000 |
| Team Liquid | 13% | $130,000 |
As League of Legends Esports continues to evolve, Greeley remains focused on long-term sustainability, rather than pure revenue generation. Speaking ahead of the First Stand finals at Seoul LoL Park, he emphasized that Riot’s primary goal is to build a stable ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders. "The goal of LoL esports is not to become an esports that generates a lot of revenue," Greeley stated. "We're focusing on building a sustainable ecosystem."
Riot Games is also committed to fostering amateur and third-party competitions. Greeley highlighted the importance of allowing teams at all levels to generate revenue and sustain themselves. He also addressed the implementation of Fearless Draft at First Stand, noting that feedback from players, teams, and regional leagues has been overwhelmingly positive. He pointed out that the format has led to greater strategic diversity and allowed fans to witness a wider variety of champion picks at the highest level, and encouraged Riot Games to keep the Fearless Draft format for the rest of the year.
With 15 years of LoL Esports behind them, Greeley remains optimistic about the future. "I'm satisfied with the path we've walked for the past 15 years, and I'm looking forward to the future. I hope it becomes an esports that we can look forward to for the next 30 years."
Header photo credit: Riot Games
