The
League of Legends World Championship begins on October 15th. The best players in the world have gathered in the United States to compete for the most prestigious titles of the season, giving rise to matchups and clashes that will likely go down in the history of the competition.
Over the past few years, with an increasing number of talents
and meta developments shifting towards the toplane, numerous gifted players capable of single-handedly giving their teams an advantage have emerged. Once again, many of these contenders will come together to create a wide variety of matchups and write their own chapter in the history of the competition.
For another title
The last two toplaners to win the World Championship are both taking part in this edition. On one side,
could further cement T1's history by securing a second consecutive title for himself and a fourth for the organization, while former T1 player
could become the first toplaner to win the competition three times. Zeus has one of the deepest champion pools in the list, having played 31 different champions. He has notably been nearly unstoppable on Jayce, winning 14 of his 15 games for a staggering 93.3% win rate.
He also has one of the highest first-blood rates among the competing toplaners, at 11.0%. We should also not overlook
, the 2018 champion and 2023 runner-up, who will once again be looking to add to his legacy. The IG player has, however, played just 43 games this year, the lowest total among the players considered.
Crownless kings
Despite their status as toplane veterans, and players often regarded as among the best in their role, some have yet to experience what it means to stand at the top of the
League of Legends world by winning the World Championship.
is a prime example: a two-time Worlds finalist and a four-time MSI finalist, he has only one international title to his name.
He also ranks among the toplaners with the highest average gold lead at 15 minutes among the 19 Worlds toplaners (2nd), sitting at +364 gold. Bin has relied on just 21 champions across 147 games, and has been particularly dominant on Gnar, boasting an 82.6% win rate across 23 games, also remaining perfect on Jax with six wins in six games and a staggering 22.67 KDA.
Much like his team, he has often struggled to maintain the same level of dominance when it matters most. The same could be said of
's team, despite the player's undeniable talent and his recent LCK title. Among the toplaners at the tournament, Kiin currently leads in KDA (3.96) and kill participation (60,1%). He also posts a +287 average gold lead at 15 minutes, putting him as the fourth toplaners with the highest leads.
For the Next Step
Several players are already familiar with the competition, having made multiple appearances, but none of them has yet truly established themselves on the Worlds stage.
G2 Esports toplaner
is a good example, having recently gained greater international recognition thanks to his Kled at Mid-Season Invitational. Another familiar face from the West,
follows a similar trajectory. Both of them have been assigned a weakside role. Despite modest laning stats, with a -186 gold differential across the year, Dhokla boasts a strong 65.2% win rate. BrokenBlade also boasts a strong 66.7% win rate despite averaging â101 gold at 15 minutes.
also fits this profile and, despite the criticism surrounding him, will be making his third international appearance in three years. In the East, despite reaching the semifinals in 2024,
's performances have been relatively understated. Having recently won his first LPL title of his career, this could be the right moment for him to take the next step on the international stage. Finally,
is making his return with
CTBC Flying Oyster, as one of the few remaining members of last year's roster.
To celebrate their return
After several years away from the competition, two players are returning to the Worlds stage.
last appeared at the World Championship in 2023 with Dplus KIA. He has found a new role with
Karmine Corp, where his signature picks can provide a way out for his team, including his Gnar, but above all Rumble, which have a 74.2% win rate.
Long regarded as a frequent target of criticism in the LCK in recent years,
has revived his career since joining the LCS. He will return to Worlds for the first time since 2021, when he competed at the tournament with
Hanwha Life Esports.
To start their story
Other players, often presented as the future of the game, will be making their Worlds debut. Among them,
is one of the most highly anticipated. The Korean player is capable of both extremes, at times looking highly dominant in lane without necessarily being able to convert that advantage into a meaningful lead. Capable of taking over games on carry champions, as demonstrated by Jayce, his most-played champion despite a win rate of only 45%, he is also a frequent target for ganks. At just 18 years old, Siwoo is also the youngest toplaner on the list. He has also played 147 games, matching Bin for the highest game count among the players listed.
In a similar vein,
has distinguished himself through his kill numbers. The Korean
Cloud9 toplaner has the highest first-blood rate among his competitors at 13%. Thanatos also averages a +312 gold lead at 15 minutes. Finally,
has a much more weakside-oriented profile, with the smallest champion pool at this year's tournament at 16 champions, while his average gold and CS figures generally lag behind those of the other contenders.
UPDATE: TES announced on Monday, October 5, that ZUIAN would be unable to attend Worlds due to visa issues and would very likely be replaced by 369.
To make their mark
Among the remaining contenders, some may have an opportunity to catch their opponents off guard, each relying on their own strengths and particular weapons.
of
Team Secret Whales has shown considerable versatility and an ability to surprise, as demonstrated by his signature Sett.
can do the same with his Volibear.
, meanwhile, has shown a tendency to be highly dominant in lane, leading the toplaners field with +541 gold, +13.4 CS, and +373 XP at 15 minutes, while also ranking fourth in CS/min and 14th in gold/min among 433 players. Finally,
arrives after steadily building momentum at the regional level throughout the season.
