Images: Riot Games
Meanwhile, Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, Viking Esports, Movistar Rainbow7, and 100Thieves bow out of the competition.
After five intense days of competition, the Play-ins for the League of Legends World Championship 2024 have concluded.
Eight teams clashed in a double-elimination bracket, all vying for a coveted spot in the Swiss Stage. With no LPL or LCK teams in the Play-ins this year, the stakes were higher than ever.
In the end, MAD Lions KOI, GAM Esports, PSG Talon, and paiN Gaming emerged victorious, securing their places in the Swiss Stage.
GAM Esports finish Play-ins undefeated
GAM Esports had an incredible start to Worlds 2024, a stark contrast to their underwhelming performance in the 2024 Mid-Season Invitational.
The Vietnamese first seed did not drop a single game on their way to the Swiss Stage, first defeating PCS second seed Fukuoka Softbank Hawks 2-0, then dominating LLA’s Movistar R7 2-0 in the qualifying match.
Some of the most notable players were top laner Trần “Kiaya” Duy Sang and Duy “Eevi” Khánh Đỗ who were instrumental in keeping the team solid.
MAD Lions dominate the Play-ins
MAD Lions Koi, the European third seed, looked right at home at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin, a familiar stage for their LEC performances.
Despite not being predicted as the strongest team, they proved their strength with a clean 2-0 victory over VCS second seed Viking Esports. They followed this by pulling off a 2-1 upset against PCS first seed PSG Talon to qualify for the Swiss Stage.
Alvaro Fernández "Alvaro" del Amo, the team's support, was notably named MVP during the qualification match for his clutch plays on Rell and Alistar.
paiN Gaming make CBLOL history
paiN Gaming made history by qualifying for the Swiss Stage, marking the first time since 2015 that a CBLOL team advanced from the Play-ins. And as CBLOL faces its final year as a region this year, paiN Gaming’s success was even more significant.
In the opening match, despite being underdogs against PSG Talon, paiN took the first game, although they ultimately lost the series 2-1. However, they bounced back in the elimination match, sweeping VCS second seed Viking Esports 2-0. And afterwards, the Decider match against LLA representatives Rainbow7 was an intense 2-1 victory, sending paiN to the Swiss Stage.
PSG Talon clinch final Swiss Stage spot
As the PCS first seed, PSG Talon entered the Play-ins as favourites, but their journey was anything but smooth. They struggled in their opening series against paiN Gaming, losing the first game before recovering to win 2-1.
After losing 2-1 to MAD Lions in the qualifying match, PSG Talon dropped to the Decider match, where they faced North America's third seed, 100 Thieves. A strong performance and cleaner execution allowed PSG Talon to secure a 2-0 sweep, with Huang "Maple" Yi-Tang earning MVP honours for his exceptional playmaking in the games.
Meanwhile, Fukuoka Softbank Hawks and Vikings Esports, bow out of Worlds in 19th-20th place taking home US $22,250 each in consolation, while Movistar Rainbow7 and 100 Thieves bow out in 17th-18th place, taking home $38,937.50.
Here's what the first round of the Swiss Stage looks like:
With the Swiss Stage now looming, all eyes are on these four teams to see how they will fare against the competition’s best.
Each team has proven their mettle in the Play-ins, but the stakes are even higher as they move on to face top teams from major regions like the LCK and LPL. Which team will make it further into the competition?