League of Legends has officially taken center stage at the Esports World Cup 2025, and all eyes are locked on Riyadh. With a staggering two million dollar prize pool and twelve of the world's fiercest teams in contention, the pressure is unlike anything we have seen this year. T1 returns as the reigning champion, but the road to a repeat is littered with traps, tactical shifts, and rivals who are hungrier than ever. This isn’t just a tournament. It is a survival test for the legends of the Rift.
The new format is shaking things up completely. Lower-seeded teams now face an early qualification group stage, and only the best will earn their place in the final bracket. Once they get there, it is single elimination. Every mistake could mean elimination. On top of that, the introduction of the Fearless Draft means teams can no longer repeat champion picks across a series. This is a massive shift in strategy, forcing players to dig deep into their champion pools and test their versatility. The result is a tournament that promises unpredictable drafts and wildly creative gameplay.
Despite all the change, some things stay the same. T1 is back, and Faker is still the face of ambition. After coming agonizingly close to winning the Mid-Season Invitational just days ago, the Korean powerhouse returns with vengeance on its mind. But T1 is not the only LCK threat in town. Gen.G is entering the event with a terrifying 23-0 record in 2025 and fresh off a dominant MSI victory. Then comes Hanwha Life Esports, a team less proven internationally but now ranked fourth globally after a spectacular First Stand win. With three Korean teams ready to shred the competition, this could turn into an LCK clinic if the others don’t step up.
China’s Anyone’s Legend, playing under the AG.AL banner, is one of the biggest challengers to the Korean dominance. After taking T1 to five games in the lower-bracket final at MSI, they are more than capable of flipping the script. Their synergy, flexibility, and patience make them serious title contenders. Meanwhile, teams like CTBC Flying Oyster and FlyQuest are eyeing the underdog storyline. Both squads surprised the world at MSI, and now they are back to disrupt the power balance again. European and American fans will also be watching G2 Esports, Cloud9, KOI, and FURIA to see if Western teams can finally break through. Bilibili Gaming and GAM Esports complete the roster of contenders, each with their own point to prove.
Beyond the title chase, the Club Championship adds another layer of intrigue. Gen.G has already posted top placements in Valorant and Apex Legends. A strong LoL showing could cement their place at the top of the leaderboard. AG.AL is not backing down either, entering three EWC titles this week with the aim of launching a leaderboard takeover. Every match has the potential to shift the standings.
The League of Legends event at EWC 2025 kicks off on July 16 at the stc Esports Arena in Riyadh and culminates in the grand final on July 20. Whether you are rooting for dominance or disruption, this week is where heroes will fall and new icons will rise. It is not just about winning. It is about rewriting the competitive history of League of Legends in front of the world.
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