2018-10-19T15:41:30 02:00

League of Legends Worlds 2018: The big viewing guide

Every fall, Riot Games crowns a new League of Legends World Champion. Not only the most prestigious title in the scene awaits the winner, but also an impressive prize money of at least 800,000 US dollars.

this year, 24 teams entered the race for the so-called Summoner's Cup. We explain in our guide:

the format
the dates
All results of the group stage
All info and times of the quarterfinal matches
The streams of the Worlds 2018

The format of the Worlds 2018 explained

This year's League of Legends Worlds began on October 1 and will end with the grand finals on November 3. Overall, the tournament will be divided into three stages:

Play-In Stage
Group Stage
Playoffs

These are the Play-Ins

In principle, the main event only starts with the group stage. However, Riot Games reintroduced the Play-Ins in 2017 and hosted them again this year. Here, selected regions get the opportunity to fight for a place in the main event.

Often, less established regions like Oceania, Japan or Turkey play in the Play-Ins. But Europe and North America also get the chance to secure another spot in the group stage. Twelve teams compete in the play-ins, but only four qualify for the main event.

The group stage explained

A total of 16 teams will compete in the group stage - including the four qualifiers from the play-ins. Teams are divided into four groups and then play each group member twice. The top two teams in each group qualify for the playoffs.

How the playoffs work

The playoffs begin with the quarterfinal games. Here, the teams face off in best-of-five series. That means they have to win three out of five games to decide the matchup in their favor. It is also important to note that if a team loses a series, there is no second chance. If the quarterfinals are lost, it also means tournament elimination. Both the semifinals and the final will also be played in best-of-5 mode.

The dates of the Worlds 2018 at a glance

Play-In Stage: Oct. 1 - 4 & Oct. 6 - 7 at LCK Studios in Seoul, South Korea

Group Stage: October 10 - 17 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, South Korea

Quarterfinals: October 20 - 21 at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in Busan, South Korea

Semifinals: Oct. 27 - Nov. 2, Gwangju Women's University Universade Gymnasium in Gwangju, South Korea

Final: Nov. 3 at Incheon Munhak Stadium in Incheon

The results of the group stage at a glance

The group stage was a roller coaster of emotions for European League of Legends fans. Three teams represented the region: Fnatic, G2 Esports and Team Vitality.

Fnatic is the reigning European champion and one of the teams with the most experience. G2 Esports was able to claim this title in 2016, as well as 2017, and is now trying to play its way back to the top. Only Vitality falls completely off the grid: the team consists mainly of inexperienced newcomers who have nothing to lose.

This was also evident in the team's style of play: Vitality competed aggressively and fearlessly in the group stage, even beating the Chinese favorites Royal Never Give Up. It was all the more heartbreaking when the team narrowly missed out on the quarterfinals due to two losses to North America's Cloud9.

G2 Esports went through a similar rollercoaster ride as Vitality: The Europeans played extremely inconsistently and were therefore tied with Flash Wolves from Taiwan at the end of the group stage. Both teams had to fight in a deciding match for a place in the quarterfinals. G2 Esports managed to win the clash after 34 minutes and thus entered the playoffs.

On Wednesday, Fnatic became the second European team to seal its quarterfinal spot. The team triumphed in the last minute over Chinese Invictus Gaming. This meant that the two teams were tied and had to play a deciding match for the first place in the group.

The Europeans, however, were not impressed by the overpowering Chinese and won the deciding match easily and thus secured their place in the semi-finals.

The quarterfinals at a glance

Quarterfinal 1: kt Rolster vs Invictus Gaming, Saturday, October 20 at 6 p.m

kt Rolster is the reigning Korean champion and is co-favorite to win the tournament. However, the team proved in the group stage that it is not insurmountable. The South Koreans gave away one game against Edward Gaming and thus entered the playoffs with five wins and one loss.

Invictus Gaming is also a strong team, but kt Rolster seems to be the clear favorite here. The two teams met once before at an event in the summer, when the South Koreans won the match clearly.

Quarterfinal 2: Royal Never Give Up vs. G2 Esports, Saturday, October 20 at 10 a.m

David against Goliath: The Chinese from Royal Never Give Up are the big favorites in this year's World Championship. Since G2 Esports seems at first moment just cannon fodder. On paper, the team doesn't have much of a chance, yet the team has the surprise factor on its side and could cause a sensation.

Quarterfinal 3: Afreeca Freecs vs. Cloud9, Sunday, October 21 at 6 p.m

Afreeca Freecs also hails from South Korea, supposedly the strongest League of Legends region. However, the team staggered in the group stage, losing one game to Flash Wolves from Taiwan and one to G2 Esports. In general, it doesn't seem like Afreeca Freecs is playing at the best level.

However,Cloud9 is not considered the strongest team in the tournament either, which is why the South Korean team got the possibly weakest opponent in the quarterfinals and thus has a good chance to enter the semifinals.

Quarterfinal 4: Fnatic vs. Edward Gaming, Sunday, October 21 at 10 a.m

Edward Gaming is one of the big question marks of this year's World Championship. In principle, the Chinese team is considered to be very strong. However, so far it has not been able to reach its full potential. So how dangerous the team really is, hardly anyone knows.

Fnatic, on the other hand, delivered an impressive performance in the group stage, even beating the strong Invictus Gaming in two games in a row. So the Europeans are not without a chance. On a good day, a place in the semifinals is likely.

Here you can watch the Worlds 2018

The World Championship will be played in 16 languages and in some countries there are even several streams from different commentators. You can find the official English stream here. Summoner's Inn broadcasts the World Championship in German and of course the Spanish speakers don't go empty-handed either.

by Kristin Banse

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