LoL Worlds is soon upon us! The League of Legends World Championship Play-In will start on October 10th 2023. Just before we get to that we have a special Qualifying Series to determine the final team who will attend the biggest League of Legends event of the year.
We break down all of Worlds here so you can see what will happen, who will play and when it will take place. The perfect break down for League of Legends fan and an essential guide for any LoL betting enthusiast.
What is League of Legends Worlds?
The League of Legends World Championship, which is commonly known as Worlds, is the ultimate competition in LoL Esports. The worlds best teams across nine regions compete for the prestige of being crowned world champion. It is held after the regular season and the finals rotate host region each year. In 2023, Worlds returns to South Korea.
This year will feature the Worlds Qualifying Series (WQS) that will be a best-of-5 between Team BDS and Golden Guardians on October 9 in LoL Park Seoul. The WQS winner, alongside 21 other teams, will compete at Worlds. The top 8 teams from this stage will compete at the Play-Ins, with these teams being determined by previous international performance at a regional level.
When is LoL Worlds Happening?
Worlds is split into various stages across both October and November.
The Play-In Stage will commence on October 10, and the Finals are on November 19.
Play-In Stage – 2023 World Championship
All matches will begin at 9 a.m. CEST / 4 p.m. KST – unless otherwise stated
- Tuesday, October 10
- Wednesday, October 11
- Thursday, October 12
- Friday, October 13
- Saturday, October 14
- Sunday, October 15 – 5 a.m. CEST / 12 p.m. KST
Round 1 Results
With the first week of matches for LoL Worlds 2023, we closed out an intense group stage. PSG Talon managed to top their group without taking a defeat. This has given them a seeding advantage moving into round 2 of the Play-In stage. Whereas GAM Esports went against the group B winners, Team Whales, to see if they could advance.
Round 2 Results
Fascinatingly, both of the higher seed teams lost their matches in Round 2 of the League of Legends World Championships 2023 Play-In stage. GAM Esports took down Team Whales 3-1, seeing themselves through to the Swiss Stage. An absolutely epic best of 5 series took place between PSG Talon and Team BDS. We saw a complete reverse sweep victory for Team BDS, adding one more European team to the Swiss Stage.
Swiss Stage – 2023 World Championship
All matches begin at 9 a.m. CEST / 4 p.m. KST unless otherwise noted
- Thursday, October 19 – 7 a.m. CEST / 2 p.m. KST
- Friday, October 20 – 7 a.m. CEST / 2 p.m. KST
- Saturday, October 21
- Sunday, October 22
- Monday, October 23
- Thursday, October 26
- Friday, October 27
- Saturday, October 28
- Sunday, October 29 – 5 a.m. CEST / 1 p.m. KST
Swiss Stage Round 1 Matches
Now that the Play-In stage is complete, it is time for the Swiss Stage. There will be 5 rounds of play to determine the 8 teams who will make it to the Knockout Stage of LoL Worlds 2023. Here are your matchups!
- Gen.G Esports [Winner] vs. GAM Esports
- T1 [Winner] vs. Team Liquid
- KT Rolster vs. Bilibili Gaming [Winner]
- Dplus vs. G2 Esports [Winner]
- JD Gaming [Winner] vs. Team BDS
- LNG Esports [Winner] vs. Fnatic
- Weibo Gaming [Winner] vs. NRG
- MAD Lions vs. Cloud9 [Winner]
Swiss Stage Round 2 Matches
Round two matches consists of the teams with a win being randomly matched against each other. And of course, the losers of the first match being randomly matched against each other. No teams will be knocked out in this stage of the event. However, if you lose two games in a row then you are on your final lifeline!
1 Win 0 Loss Matches Round 2
- G2 Esports [Winner] vs. Weibo Gaming
- Gen.G Esports [Winner] vs T1
- JD Gaming [Winner] vs Bilibili Gaming
- LNG Esports [Winner] versus Cloud9
0 Win 1 Loss Matches Round 2
- Fnatic [Winner] vs. GAM Esports
- KT Rolster [Winner] vs. Dplus
- Team BDS vs. MAD Lions [Winner]
- Team Liquid vs. NRG [Winner]
Swiss Stage Round 3 Matches
We are now at the situation in the Swiss Stage where teams will begin getting eliminated. If, like 4 teams, you have 2 losses – then you cannot afford to lose again. For many of the non-knockout matches, we have inter-region matchups. This means that the European teams will definitely make it at least a round further! But lots of repeat matchups are happening from the earlier league stages.
2 Wins 0 Losses Matches Round 3
- Gen.G [Winner] vs. G2 Esports
- JD Gaming [Winner] vs. LNG Esports
1 Win 1 Loss Matches Round 3
- NRG [Winner] vs. MAD Lions
- T1 [Winner] vs. Cloud9
- KT Rolster [Winner] vs. Weibo Gaming
- Bilibili Gaming [Winner] vs. Fnatic
0 Wins 2 Losses Matches Round 3
- Dplus [Winner] vs. Team BDS
- GAM Esports [Winner] vs. Team Liquid
This means that Team BDS and Team Liquid are the first teams to be eliminated from the League of Legends World Championship 2023 swiss stage.
Swiss Stage Round 4 Matches
In this part of the swiss stage we have three matches which determine qualification and three matches which will confirm some eliminations. Once this round is concluded there will be 6 remaining teams, where only half of them can qualify to the final phase of LoL Worlds 2023.
2 Wins 1 Loss Matches Round 4
- KT Rolster vs. LNG Esports [Winner]
- T1 [Winner] vs. Bilibili Gaming
- NRG [Winner] vs. G2 Esports
1 Win 2 Losses Matches Round 4
- Cloud9 vs. Fnatic [Winner]
- Dplus [Winner] vs. GAM Esports
- MAD Lions vs. Weibo Gaming [Winner]
MAD Lions, Fnatic and GAM Esports are the next teams at this stage to be eliminated from the competition. Each team parts Worlds with $61,187.50 USD in prize money.
Swiss Stage Round 5 Matches
The final three matches of the swiss stage! Three teams will be eliminated and three teams will go on to the knockout stage of League of Legends World Championship 2023.
2 Wins 2 Losses Matches Round 5
- KT Rolster [Winner] vs. Dplus
- Fnatic vs. Weibo Gaming [Winner]
- Bilibili Gaming [Winner] vs. G2 Esports
KT Rolster, Bilibili Gaming and Weibo Gaming have managed to confirm their appearance in the Knockout Stage of Worlds 2023. G2 Esports was the last European team standing. This ultimately means there will be no European presence in the knockout stage of Worlds 2023.
Knockout Stage – 2023 World Championship
All matches begin at 9 a.m. CEST / 5 p.m. KST unless otherwise noted
- Thursday, November 2
- Friday, November 3
- Saturday, November 4
- Sunday, November 5
- Saturday, November 11
- Sunday, November 12
- (Finals) Sunday, November 19
Knockout Stage – Quarter Finals Matches
Now that the Swiss Stage is complete we can finally understand what the knockout stage bracket is going to look like. All matches are best of 5 for the rest of the tournament. The knockout stage is equal to a single elimination bracket that is seen in many other types of playoffs. See below what the quarter final matches will be for the League of Legends World Championship 2023.
- Gen.G vs. Bilibili Gaming
- NRG vs. Weibo Gaming
- JD Gaming vs. KT Rolster
- LNG Esports vs. T1
Knockout Stage – Quarter Finals Results
Quarter Finals – Day 1 NRG vs WBG
| NRG Roster | Weibo Gaming Roster |
| Top Dhokla | Top TheShy |
| Jungle Contractz | Jungle Weiwei |
| Mid Palafox | Mid Xiaohu |
| ADC FBI | ADC Light |
| Support IgNar | Support Crisp |
This was anticipated to be one of the most even match-ups leading into the Quarter Finals, with NRG seemingly having a lot more to prove as the NA region needing to redeem itself.
Game 1 started well for Weibo Gaming, getting First blood and the best of some skirmishes; but NRG were quick to stabilize and show a dominant opening to the series. It was incredibly back-and-forth throughout, with Weibo Gaming coming strong in the mid-game to take second Herald and mid-tower; before NRG got first Baron and built a good lead. Weibo Gaming met this with aggression to nullify any advantage before securing the next Baron and turning that into a siege of the base and advantage that was too much for NRG.
Game 2, however, started very poorly for NRG as a WeiWei invaded jungle, forced out a flash and stole camps. This very quickly snowballed into a heavy favour for Weibo Gaming and they forced NRG onto the backfoot and continously forced fights in their favour. Whilst NRG did claim a Baron for themselves, the lead was unsurmounable and Weibo Gaming extended a 2-0 lead.
The final game of the series as equally as punishing for NRG, as they were brutalized by Weibo Gaming in the early game. NRG were forced to take risks to try and get back into the series, but to no avail, and Weibo Gaming closed out the series 3-0 easily.
Quarter Finals – Day 2 GEN.G vs Bilibili Gaming
| Gen.G | Bilibili Gaming |
| Top Doran | Top Bin |
| Jungle Peanut | Jungle Xun |
| Mid Chovy | Mid Yagao |
| ADC Peyz | ADC Elk |
| Support Delight | Support ON |
Another highly anticipated series, with fan favourites Gen.G going up against the Chinese powerhouse in Bilibili Gaming. The series offered everything, with Game 1 being a balance between early-game bloodboth, into slow strategical control from Bilibili, before late game scraps saw Bilibili take full control with incredible performance from Bin’s Aatrox.
Game 2 was decimation from Bilibili, with an incredible opening being compounded by mistakes from Gen.G in the mid-game, that saw an overwhelming 5k lead after 12 minutes, and desperation from Gen.G. Bilbili madeno mistakes, securing multiple Barons into a final siege to round the series 2-0.
With survival on the line, Gen.G wereable to change the pace and begin to turn the series around. Bilibili did continue to mount the same pressure as in game 1 and 2, but this time Gen.G did not make mistakes when met by this pressure, and instead took some amazing teamfights in the late game and converted that into Baron. This meant Gen.G finally took control and brought the series to 2-1.
Game 4 was perahps the most even of the matches so far, as both teams traded kills and gold throughout. Bilibili did secure the first Baron after a great fight, as well as getting two kills, but Gen.G alrady had good control of the game so the play only delayed the onslaught. Gen.G played methodically to secure multiple neutral objectives, and exploited the Ashe pick before taking the series to a decider.
The comeback, though, would not be complete as it would eventually be heartbreak for Gen.G. They looked supremely confident in game 5, as the tempo slowed and both teams played more hesitantly with tournament lives on the line. However, a mistake in mid-game by Doran meant that Bilibili were able to capitalize and take Baron, which they used to great effect and took that into a siege and mltiple kills. They then secured a skirmish in Gen.G’s jungle, which saw them take a second Baron, and ultimately the series with it.
Quarter Finals – Day 3 JD Gaming vs KT
| JDG Roster | KT Roster |
| Top 369 | Top Kiin |
| Jungle Kanavi | Jungle Cuzz |
| Mid knight | Mid Bdd |
| ADC Ruler | ADC Aiming |
| Support MISSING | Support Lehends |
Game 1 of the series started explosively, with a 2v2 top lane First Blood for JD Gaming; but Cuzz quickly equalized on the kills. There was pressure around Herald that resulted in a trade, but slightly more positively for KT as BDD was able to scale his Akali.
Despite a fairly even matchup throughout, a big teamfight in the midgame saw KT take a huge lead, as Lehends’ success on Lulu became a critical factor and a 5K lead for KT saw them really extend the pressure. This then moved into securing a Baron for Bdd and subsequently KT were able to control the rest of the map to secure a convincing 1-0 lead.
Game 2 started similarly as quickly, with KT this time securing First Blood onto Cuzz. JD Gaming did retaliate and won first drake, with a counter kill onto Cuzz. Despite JD Gaming continuing momentum, KT clawed their way back into the game with the second drake, as 369 Aatrox was really proving strong in teamfights. However, JD Gaming secured a massive teamfight around Herald, as Neeko secured a 4-man ace.
JD Gaming built a commanding 10k gold lead, got Baron, and were successful with this lead in their skirmishes to continue to build pressure and eventually tie the series 1-1.
With elimination moving closer for both teams, the previous aggressive openings we saw slowed; instead both teams favoured trying to build a foundation for the mid-game. This strategy eventually favoured JDG, as they were able to land both first drake and seucred Herald, before KT countered with the first kill of the game in an attempt to slow the snowball. JD Gaming responded with a beautiful flank play, and they got both two kills and dragon soul point. Cuzz then made a mistake that cost KT dragon, and Ruler secured cloud soul. A final pick onto Kiin transitioned into an ace against KT, which was all too much and JD Gaming moved onto match point.
Game 4 returned to the high tempo opening of game 1 and 2, as a skirmish erupted on KT side, with both ADC’s getting kills. KT was them able to get the Rift Herald, and they began taking control of the game with amazing control of the jungle by Vi. However, JDG were able to respond with MISSING getting a clutch pick onto BDG, which KT responded with a double kill on top lane. This meant KT were able to build a 3k gold lead, before KT were caught off guard with a suprise ultimate by knight; leading to JDG getting a vital Baron. This evened the gold advantage, and meant the next team fight could be critical. JDG then were able to get a pick onto knight, and stopped KT getting their own Baron, as well as destroying the bot lane inihibtor, all but spelling the end for KT. JDG moved onto victory with a 3-1 win.
Quarter Finals – Day 4 LNG Esports vs TI
| LNG Esports Roster | T1 Roster |
| Top Zika | Top Zeus |
| Jungle Tarzan | Jungle Oner |
| Mid Scout | Mid Faker |
| ADC GALA | ADC Gumayusi |
| Support Hang | Support Keria |
For the final day of Quarter finals, fan favourites T1 met LNG Esports to see who will make it to the semi finals. There was definitely an expectation that the LCK giants would show us why they are so heavily favored, and they did not dissapoint, and they massacred LNG Esports 3-0.
Game 1 was a brutal masterclass from T1, as they took an early lead and extended that into a huge lead through meticulous teamfights. They converted these aces into objectives, and the pressure was just too much for LNG Esports.
Game 2 started brightly for LNG Esports, getting First Blood on Faker; but the strategy from T1 was too good. T1 out-played their opponents and took first drake, whilst Keria won the bot lane. They also took first Herald and forced LNG Esports to look for other options of attack, which they did not find. This, again, meant T1 had momentum, and they showed their class again in mid-game teamfights into disicpline and patience to see out the second game.
Finally, the series ended as quickly as it started, as T1 gain utterly dominated all stages of the game. T1 were able to outfight, and outplay their opponents at each step, and the series ended 3-0, showing the world again why they are so formidable.
What is the Format for League of Legends Worlds 2023?
Worlds 2023 features a brand new format. 22 teams will compete across three individual stages of competition. The Play-In Stage, the Swiss Stage, and the Knockout Stage.
The Play-In Stage
Play-Ins will start the event and feature the top seeds from VCS & PCS, the 1st seed from LLA, CBLOL, and LJL, and the winner of the Worlds Qualifying Series. These 8 teams will play in two double-elimination brackets, with best-of-three matchups. The top team from each bracket will play the second place team in the other bracket in a final best-of-five set. The winners will then proceed into the Swiss Stage.
The Swiss Stage
The Swiss Stage is the bulk of the competition. The teams progressing from the Play-In Stage will join the top seeded teams from the primary regions. The top 3 seeded teams from LEC and LCS will enter alongside the top 4 seeded teams from LCK and LPL. The 16 teams are then split into four draw pools and will subsequently be drawn into an initial set of 8 best-of-one matches based on their seeding. Pool 1 teams will play Pool 4 teams and Pool 2 teams will play Pool 3 teams. Further, no team can play another team from their region in the first round.
After the first round, a second draw will take place to pair teams of the same record against one another – but with no draw restrictions. This process will repeat for 3 more times to continue to set teams with event records against one another, until they reach 3 wins to advance; or 3 losses to be eliminated.
8 teams will move into the Knockout stage. All initial rounds will be best-of-one, whilst advancement and elimination matches will instead be best-of-three. Side selection will occur by the initial draw pool, with higher pools receiving side selection. Matches between the same draw pool instead will be determined by conflip.
The Knockout Stage
The final and most exciting stage is the Knockout Stage. This is the Quarterfinals, Semi-finals, and Finals. The tournament will only be a single elimination, with all remaining matches being best-of-five. Quarterfinal matches will be decided by on-stage draw following the Swiss Stage. Any teams with a 3-0 record will be matched against teams with a 3-2 record; with all final teams being matched against each other.
It is here we will find our 2023 World Champion.
Which teams are competing?
All regions’ seeds are based on previous international performance and regional performance. Regions who have had consistently good performance will have some or all of their seeds to the Swiss Stage, whilst the weaker regions have fewer seeds or will start in the Play-Ins
This year, the 22 teams competing are:
China – LPL
- 1st Seed: JDG Intel Esports Club (JDG)
- 2nd Seed: Bilibili Gaming Pingan Bank (BLG)
- 3rd Seed: LNG Esports (LNG)
- 4th Seed: Weibo Gaming Faw Audi (WBG)
Korea – LCK
- 1st Seed: Gen.G (GEN)
- 2nd Seed: T1 (T1)
- 3rd Seed: KT Rolster (KT)
- 4th Seed: Dplus KIA (DK)
Europe – LEC
- 1st Seed: G2 Esports (G2)
- 2nd Seed: Fnatic (FNC)
- 3rd Seed: MAD Lions (MAD)
North America – LCS
- 1st Seed: NRG (NRG)
- 2nd Seed: Cloud9 (C9)
- 3rd Seed: Team Liquid Honda (TL)
Southeast Asia – PCS
- 1st Seed: PSG.Talon (PSG)
- 2nd Seed: CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO)
Vietnam – VCS
- 1st Seed: GAM Esports (GAM)
- 2nd Seed: Team Whales (TW)
Brazil – CBLOL
- LOUD (LLL)
Japan – LJL
- DetonatioN FocusMe (DFM)
Latin America – LLA
- Movistar R7 (R7)
Worlds Qualifying Series Winner
To be determined on October 9 between LCS’s Golden Guardians (GG) and the LEC’s Team BDS (BDS).
How can you watch League of Legends Worlds 2023?
You can catch every match on lolesports.com, or tune into one of the official co-streams! Riot has an immense amount of world class talent regarding commentary, analysis and hosting. They put on some of the best, if not the best, esports event productions in the world. The fact that it is also going to taking place in Seoul, Korea, is going to make it a breath-taking event. LoL Worlds often breaks viewership records and then sets the benchmark for what industry standards should be in esports production.
Worlds 2023 Co-Streaming
Worlds 2023 will have co-streaming expanding. They expect over 50 co-streamers across Worlds 2023, representing all regions and languages. It will be an invite-only program, with pre-approved streamers and content creators giving the opportunity for fans to be involved. Any qualified teams can also see their creators involved in this program
Can you bet on LoL Worlds?
Absolutely, all of the bookmakers who offer esports markets and odds are going to be promoting the League of Legends World Championships on their sites. The best esports betting sites are going to make it incredibly accessible and likely have welcome bonuses available for new customers. If you are interested in betting, make sure you find a site that you are comfortable using.
Before you start betting, check that the platform you are interested in is licenced to operate in your country or region. Only deposit and bet with what you are comfortable losing. Importantly, always create a strategy for betting on the event before you get started. Perhaps you prefer prematch betting, or possibly live betting when the games are happening already. You can find all the information you need across the resources that we offer here at EsportsCompare.net.
