Entertainment · Gaming · 2 hrs ago
2027 League of Legends World Championship to Be Hosted by Japan and South Korea
Riot Games has announced that Japan and South Korea will share the 2027 League of Legends World Championship.
The tournament’s Swiss stage, before the knockout rounds, will take place in Nagoya, marking the first time the championship is held in Japan.
The quarterfinals and semifinals will be in Suwon, at the Suwon Convention Center.
The final is planned for Seoul’s Seoul Arena, a venue still under construction.
The split hosting plan changes an earlier announcement that South Korea would host the event, drawing both support and criticism from fans.
South Korea last hosted the championship in 2023, when the final was held at Gocheok Sky Dome.
Riot also plans to expand its First Stand tournament in 2027, with more teams and players; further details are due in January.
The 2027 League of Legends World Championship will be held in Japan and South Korea, the first time the tournament has been staged in both countries.
The Swiss stage will take place in Nagoya, Japan, and the knockout stage will be held in South Korea.
The quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for the Suwon Convention Center, while the final is planned for Seoul Arena in Seoul.
Riot Games announced the plan as part of its 2027 international esports schedule.
Some fans see the Japan matches as a response to the game’s rising popularity there, while others have criticised a change from the previously announced plan.
- Who
- Riot Games announced the plan for the 2027 League of Legends World Championship.
- What
- The tournament will be jointly hosted by Japan and South Korea. The Swiss stage will be in Japan, with the knockout stage in South Korea.
- When
- 2027.
- Where
- Nagoya, Japan; Suwon and Seoul, South Korea.
- Why
- Not stated. Some fans reportedly think the decision reflects rising League of Legends popularity in Japan.
Fans who see the move as reflecting rising popularity in Japan
Critics of the change from the prior announcement
Rationale
Fans who see the move as reflecting rising popularity in Japan
They interpret the joint hosting as a response to the game’s recent popularity in Japan.
Critics of the change from the prior announcement
They object that the plan differs from what had been announced earlier.
The World Championship final was held at Gocheok Sky Dome in South Korea.
Riot Games said the Swiss stage will be held in Nagoya and the knockout stage in South Korea.
The quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for Suwon, and the final is planned for Seoul Arena.
- Swiss stage
- Nagoya, Japan
- Quarterfinals and semifinals
- Suwon Convention Center, South Korea
- Final
- Seoul Arena, Seoul, South Korea
- First time
- The World Championship will be hosted jointly by Japan and South Korea
- Last South Korean final
- 2023, at Gocheok Sky Dome
What people are saying
Korea has played an indispensable role in the history of LoL esports.
We are pleased to bring the most important moments of the 2027 World Championship back to Korea.