Table of Contents
The spotlight is on League of Legends this week at the Esports World Cup 2025 as 12 of the best teams in the world head to the STC Esports Arena in Riyadh. With $2 million on the line and reigning champs T1 back to defend their crown, the competition is about to get intense.
League of Legends Takes Center Stage at EWC 2025
This year’s tournament looks very different from last year’s. For starters, more teams are competing, and lower-seeded squads will have to fight through a qualifying group stage before making it to the final bracket. Plus, there’s a new twist: the Fearless Draft. Teams won’t be able to pick the same champion twice in a series, which means we’ll see fresh strategies and creative team comps throughout the tournament.
T1, last year’s champions, are back and hungry for another trophy. After just missing out on a Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) win a few days ago, Faker and the rest of the squad are returning to form and to Riyadh with their eyes set on going back-to-back.
Gen.G and HLE Add to Korea’s Firepower
T1 won’t have it easy, though. Gen.G, another Korean powerhouse, has been dominant in 2025 with an undefeated 23-0 record and a recent MSI win over T1. They’re heading to EWC looking nearly unstoppable.
Also joining them is Hanwha Life Esports, or HLE. Thanks to T1’s win last year, Korea gets a third team in the tournament. HLE might not have the same international resume as T1 or Gen.G, but they did win the First Stand tournament earlier this year and are currently ranked fourth in the world. They’re a serious threat.
For fans rooting for a non-Korean winner, keep your eyes on Anyone’s Legend, playing under the AG.AL banner in partnership with All Gamers. They’re considered the third-best team globally and nearly took down T1 in a five-game thriller at MSI. They’ll be hungry for revenge and the trophy.
If you’re looking for an underdog story, CTBC Flying Oyster and FlyQuest could be this year’s surprise packages. Both teams did better than expected at MSI and could shake things up again this week.
Other big names rounding out the competition include Bilibili Gaming, Cloud9, G2 Esports, FURIA, KOI, and GAM Esports.
Gen.G is off to a strong start at the Esports World Cup. They’ve already finished third in VALORANT and fourth in Apex Legends. With their League of Legends squad looking nearly unbeatable, they’re in a great spot to rack up more points in the Club Championship.
AG.AL is also making a serious push. They’re set to compete in three of this week’s four championship events, and a strong finish in League of Legends could put them right near the top of the leaderboard.
The League of Legends action at EWC 2025 kicks off on Wednesday, July 16, and runs through to the grand finals on July 20. Whether you’re tuning in live or planning to catch it in person, you won’t want to miss this week of top-tier esports.
Who Will Lift the Trophy This Year?
With so many matches on the horizon, expect thrilling moments, breakout stars, and unforgettable plays. Will T1 keep their crown, or will a new champion rise? Tune in and find out.
ALSO READ: Crypto Casino Guide 2025: Your Hub For Online Play
