League of Legends esports: the game and its pro scene

League of Legends in brief

League of Legends is a free-to-play team strategy game from Riot Games, and the title that started the studio; it has been going for more than a decade. Every match pits two teams of five against each other: each player controls a champion picked from a roster of more than 170, and the aim is to wipe out the opposing base.

Each base is built around a structure called the Nexus, and the first team to bring down the opposing Nexus takes the game. Getting there means pushing through at least one lane, where turrets and an inhibitor stand in the way. The jungle fills the space between the lanes and is home to neutral monsters; slaying the most important ones, Baron Nashor and the drakes, gives a team bonuses that can swing the game.

Over the course of a game, each champion levels up with experience and spends gold on items, which is how a team builds its strength. Teams usually split into five positions: top lane, jungle, mid lane, bot lane and support.

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How League of Legends esports works

Riot Games runs the professional circuit, known as LoL Esports, and sets its rules. Its foundation is a network of regional leagues, among them the LCK in Korea, the LPL in China and the LEC, which covers Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Each league divides its year into several stages called splits, usually with regular-season matches followed by playoffs. Results in these leagues decide which teams qualify for the international events, so every regular-season match carries weight.

A second tier of regional competitions sits below the top leagues and serves as an entry point for amateur and semi-professional players who hope to turn pro.

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Worlds, MSI and the major competitions

The League of Legends World Championship, known as Worlds, is the most prestigious event in professional League of Legends. First held in 2011, it is the goal the whole season builds up to, and it brings together the strongest teams from every region. The title is decided in best-of-five knockout matches, and the winners lift the Summoner's Cup, the trophy that has come to symbolise the sport.

Halfway through the season, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) gathers the top teams from each league. Its own title is at stake, and a strong run there can leave a team, and its whole region, better placed for Worlds.

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How to watch League of Legends esports

The official site, lolesports.com, gathers the match schedule, live broadcasts, replays and news. The matches are also shown on other streaming platforms.

Viewers who watch on lolesports.com while signed in can also earn rewards: progress on in-game watch missions and, during some live broadcasts in selected regions and at global events, drops such as exclusive items, discounts or merchandise. These rewards are tied to watching on lolesports.com; fans may first need to opt in on lolesports.com/rewards, where they can also follow their missions and drops.

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