As MSI 2025 kicks off in Vancouver, four teams face off for just two bracket spots. With the new Fearless Draft and a volatile patch, upsets are on the horizon.
The Mid-Season Invitational 2025 is finally here and the Play-In stage is shaping up to be anything but predictable. Hosted in Vancouver, this first phase of the tournament brings together four international teams with only two coveted spots in the main bracket up for grabs. While G2 Esports and Bilibili Gaming are entering as the recognizable names, GAM Esports and FURIA are looking to defy expectations and shake up the competitive hierarchy.
This year’s Play-In comes with a twist. The introduction of the Fearless Draft format, which limits repetitive champion picks, is already altering team strategies across the board. Patch 25.13 only deepens the complexity, rewarding adaptability and clever draft choices over standard meta compositions. These changes create a fertile ground for surprises, which is exactly why underdog teams have more room than ever to tilt the balance.
G2 Esports may not be the same unstoppable force it once was, but its legacy of international flair remains intact. Despite falling short in the LEC Winter and Spring Finals, G2 still holds a special place on the global stage. Its unpredictable playstyle and history of creative drafting give it a strong edge in a format that encourages innovation. Midlaner Caps and top laner BrokenBlade are no longer unchallenged domestically, but with newer names like Skewmond in the jungle bringing explosive energy, G2 is still dangerous. Especially in an environment that demands on-the-fly strategy and flexibility, G2 could easily rise above its recent regional setbacks.
Bilibili Gaming, on the other hand, arrives with something to prove. After a strong 2024 that saw them nearly grasp international glory, the team lost star jungler Xun, and with that, some of its former dominance. While Bin, Knight, and the bot lane remain threats in their own right, inconsistency in decision-making and drafts has made them vulnerable. MSI’s Play-In gives them the chance to reset and find momentum before deeper competition begins. However, with only a few games to separate the teams, a single misstep could derail their progress.
GAM Esports represents the wildcard energy that MSI thrives on. With experience and cohesion from previous international runs, this Vietnamese squad has proven time and again that it can deliver upsets when least expected. Jungler Levi remains one of the sharpest minds in Southeast Asia, and on a patch that heavily rewards aggressive jungle control, his influence could decide entire games. GAM’s fearless approach to early game skirmishes, along with their creativity in draft, makes them one of the most overlooked threats in this stage.
Then there is FURIA, the scrappy underdog from the newly merged LTA South region. Few expect them to make waves, but that only fuels their motivation. The roster’s strength lies in early pressure and calculated aggression, especially from Guigo in the top lane and Tutsz in mid. Although the current meta encourages scaling and slower games, FURIA’s explosiveness in the early stages could catch more established teams off guard. If they manage to snowball early and press the advantage before their opponents scale, they could flip conventional matchups on their head.
The Play-In format adds pressure by giving teams very little room to adapt. Every match carries high stakes, and the rapid pace means momentum is everything. With only two teams advancing to the Bracket Stage, even one loss could shift a team’s tournament destiny. That tension, combined with the unpredictable nature of the patch, creates a perfect storm for underdog success.
MSI 2025’s Play-In is not just about big names making it through. It is a clash of styles, regions, and philosophies at a time when global League of Legends is more competitive than ever. Whether it is G2’s flair, Bilibili’s redemption arc, GAM’s silent confidence, or FURIA’s explosive rise, fans can expect drama, surprises, and breakout moments from all sides.
The action begins on June twenty seventh at eight in the evening British Summer Time. Viewers can catch the matches live on all major streaming platforms or through the official LoL Esports website. This Play-In could mark the beginning of something special.
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