League of Legends Mid Season Invitational 2025 - Format, teams, prize pool, and where to watch

The stakes are higher than ever at the 2025 MSI, with the winning team and the next best-performing region being granted additional slots at Worlds 2025.

The 2025 League of Legends (LoL) Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) begins on 27 June, hosted at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada. 

As the year’s second international event, MSI brings together two teams from each of the five competitive regions: South Korea's LoL Champions Korea (LCK), China's LoL Pro League (LPL), Europe's LoL European Championship (LEC), the Americas' League of the Americas (LTA), and Asia-Pacific's LoL Championship Pacific (LCP). The tournament sits at the midway point of the season and plays a key role in shaping qualification paths for the 2025 LoL World Championship.

Beyond the trophy, MSI also affects Worlds slot allocations. The winning team and the next best-performing region will be granted additional slots at Worlds 2025, adding competitive weight to every match across both stages of the tournament.

Prize pool distribution

MSI 2025 features a total prize pool of US$2,000,000. First place receives US$500,000, while the second and third-placed teams earn US$300,000 and US$240,000, respectively. Outside of then podium positions, fourth place secures US$200,000, fifth to sixth receive US$160,000 each, seventh to eighth place receive US$130,000, while ninth and tenth earn US$100,000 and US$80,000.

Format and Bracket Stage Draw rules

After the Play-In Stage, eight teams will enter the Bracket Stage, seeded using regional performance and tiered placement. Bracket rules ensure that teams from the same region are not placed on the same side of the bracket.

Draw tiers are as follows:

• Tier 1: LCK1, LEC1
• Tier 2: LCP1, LPL1
• Tier 3: LTA1, LCK2
• Tier 4: Play-In qualifiers (2 teams)

Some bracket positions are fixed in advance. LCK1 and LTA1 are placed on one side, while LEC1 and LCK2 are placed on the other. This setup reduces the number of possible draw combinations. In four out of six Play-In scenarios, no draw is required. In the remaining two, only a single draw decision finalises the bracket.

Scenarios Based on Play-In Outcomes

Scenario 1: LEC2 and LTA2 advance
LEC2 is matched against LCK1, LTA2 against LEC1. One draw determines whether LPL1 or LCP1 faces LTA1 or LCK2.

Scenario 2: LCP2 and LPL2 advance
A draw determines which team will face LCK1. The rest of the bracket is then assigned to avoid regional overlap.

Scenario 3: LEC2 and LPL2 advance
LEC2 plays LCK1, LEC1 faces LPL2. LPL1 is placed against LTA1, while LCP1 plays LCK2.

Scenario 4: LEC2 and LCP2 advance
LEC2 faces LCK1, LEC1 faces LCP2. LCP1 is matched with LTA1, and LPL1 plays LCK2.

Scenario 5: LTA2 and LCP2 advance
LTA2 is placed against LEC1, LCP2 against LCK1. LCP1 joins LCK2’s bracket side, and LPL1 faces LTA1.

Scenario 6: LTA2 and LPL2 advance
LTA2 faces LEC1, LPL2 is matched with LCK1. LPL1 plays LCK2, and LCP1 plays LTA1.

Each scenario maintains bracket integrity by enforcing region separation and minimising randomness in the draw.

Qualified Teams by Region

The ten participating teams at MSI 2025 are as follows:

• LPL (China): Anyone's Legend, Bilibili Gaming
• LCK (Korea): Gen.G, T1
• LEC (Europe): Movistar KOI, G2 Esports
• LTA (Americas): FlyQuest, FURIA Esports
• LCP (Asia Pacific): CTBC Flying Oyster, GAM Esports

Where to Watch

Matches will be broadcast in multiple languages across regional Twitch channels:

• Riot Games (English)
• Japanese
• Thai
• Taiwanese Mandarin
• Spanish (LATAM)
• Portuguese (LATAM)

MSI 2025 Pick’Ems

For the first time, Pick’Ems is available for MSI. Fans can predict outcomes and earn in-game rewards based on their performance.

Play-Ins Phase

Players can predict the final standings of the four-team Play-In group.

• 1st and 2nd place teams advance
• 3rd and 4th are eliminated
  Points are awarded for accurate advancement predictions and exact placements. Picks must be submitted before the first Play-In match on 27 June.

Bracket Stage Phase

After Play-Ins, an eight-team double elimination bracket begins. Players can submit full bracket predictions, similar to Worlds and other global events. The deadline is before the first Bracket Stage match on 1 July.

Pick’Ems Rewards
 

Participation in either phase grants rewards, with additional items available for higher accuracy:

• Play-Ins: Mundo & Gnar “SELLIING” emote
• Playoffs: 1x Esports Capsule
• Top 50%: Additional capsule and Teemo “My Special Gift” emote
• Top 25%: Yi “Shady” emote and all previous rewards
• Top 2,500: Spirit Blossom Hwei skin, Hwei champion unlock, and full reward stack
• Perfect Picks: All Ultimate skins in addition to all other tiers

MSI 2025 serves as both a performance benchmark and a proving ground for teams aiming to secure a stronger position heading into Worlds. With international seeding on the line and an expanded prize pool, the tournament presents a mid-season checkpoint with significant competitive consequences.