Where is msi 2025 lol

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: MSI 2025 has not been officially announced by Riot Games as of late 2024. The Mid-Season Invitational typically occurs in May each year, with the 2024 edition taking place in Chengdu, China from May 1-19. Specific details about MSI 2025, including location and format, will likely be revealed in early 2025.

Key Facts

MSI 2024 featured 12 teams from 8 regions competing in Chengdu, China
The tournament typically runs for 2-3 weeks in May each year
MSI 2023 had a prize pool of $250,000 with JD Gaming winning
MSI serves as the first international tournament of the League of Legends competitive season
The event has been held annually since 2015, except for 2020 when it was canceled due to COVID-19

Overview

The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) is one of the premier international tournaments in professional League of Legends esports. Organized by Riot Games, MSI serves as the first major international competition of the competitive season, typically held in May each year. The tournament brings together top teams from various regions worldwide to compete for prestige, prize money, and qualification points for the World Championship. Since its inception in 2015, MSI has grown into a cornerstone event in the League of Legends esports calendar.

MSI 2025 represents the eleventh edition of this prestigious tournament, though specific details remain unconfirmed as of late 2024. The event typically features 10-12 teams from major regions including Korea's LCK, China's LPL, Europe's LEC, and North America's LCS, along with representatives from emerging regions. Previous MSI tournaments have been hosted in locations ranging from Shanghai and Paris to Reykjavík and Chengdu, with each edition introducing format refinements and competitive innovations.

How It Works

The MSI tournament structure has evolved significantly since 2015, with Riot Games implementing format changes to enhance competitive integrity and viewer experience.

Qualification Process: Teams qualify for MSI based on their performance in their respective regional spring splits. Typically, the champion from each major region (LCK, LPL, LEC, LCS) earns automatic qualification, while emerging regions compete through play-in tournaments. For MSI 2024, 12 teams participated from 8 different regions, with the exact qualification criteria varying slightly by region.
Tournament Format: MSI typically employs a multi-stage format beginning with a play-in stage for lower-seeded teams, followed by a group stage and knockout bracket. The 2024 edition featured a double-elimination bracket in the final stage, a format that may continue in 2025. Matches are played in best-of-three or best-of-five series depending on the stage, with the grand final always being a best-of-five.
Competitive Significance: Beyond the prize pool (which was $250,000 in 2023), MSI results directly impact World Championship seeding. The winning region earns an additional slot at Worlds, while strong performances can secure better seeding for regional teams. This creates high stakes beyond just tournament victory.
Schedule and Duration: MSI typically runs for 2-3 weeks in May, with exact dates varying by year. The 2024 tournament spanned May 1-19, while 2023's event ran from May 2-21. Teams usually arrive a week early for boot camps and acclimatization, making the total commitment approximately one month for participating organizations.

Key Comparisons

Feature	MSI 2024	MSI 2023
Location	Chengdu, China	London, United Kingdom
Number of Teams	12 teams from 8 regions	13 teams from 11 regions
Prize Pool	Not officially disclosed (estimated $250,000+)	$250,000
Winner	Gen.G (LCK)	JD Gaming (LPL)
Format	Play-in, Bracket Stage with double elimination	Play-in, Bracket Stage with double elimination

Why It Matters

Regional Prestige: MSI serves as the first major test of regional strength each season, with winning regions gaining bragging rights and psychological advantages heading into Worlds. The tournament has historically been dominated by Chinese and Korean teams, with LPL and LCK combining for 8 of the 9 championships through 2024.
Worlds Qualification Impact: The MSI winner's region receives an additional slot at the World Championship, significantly affecting the competitive landscape. This rule was introduced in 2022 and has added substantial stakes to the tournament beyond just the title and prize money.
Meta Development: As the first international tournament after the spring split, MSI often establishes the competitive meta that influences play throughout the summer split and into Worlds. Teams that adapt best to the international patch and meta typically find success both at MSI and in subsequent competitions.

Looking ahead to MSI 2025, the tournament will continue to evolve as Riot Games seeks to balance competitive integrity with entertainment value. Potential developments could include format refinements, expanded regional representation, or innovations in broadcast production. As League of Legends esports approaches its second decade of international competition, MSI remains crucial for maintaining global engagement and testing regional development programs. The 2025 edition will likely build upon lessons from previous tournaments while introducing new elements to keep the competition fresh for players and fans alike.