Riot Games is set to expand its League of Legends ecosystem in 2025 by introducing a new tournament, The First Stand. This move is part of a broader initiative to enhance the international competitive scene, and the developer has now revealed details about major global events spanning the next three years.
Fans of League of Legends have been craving more international competition, and Riot’s latest announcement has only fueled their excitement. With the release of these details, players and spectators can begin planning for upcoming events, knowing exactly when and where they will take place.
In a major announcement on January 8, Riot Games disclosed the dates and locations for the League’s biggest international tournaments up until 2027. The developer is setting the stage for a new era in global competition, making the international circuit more predictable and structured for teams and fans alike.
Upcoming LoL International Tournaments Through 2027
While Riot has only disclosed the exact dates for 2025’s tournaments so far, they have outlined the locations for all the international competitions up until 2027. Most events will take place in four key League regions—Europe, North America, China, and South Korea—but Riot has also included Brazil and Southeast Asia in its long-term planning.
The first major international event of 2025 will be The First Stand, held in LoL Park in Seoul, South Korea, from March 10 to March 16. This tournament will mark the beginning of the new season’s global events and set the tone for the rest of the year.
Following that, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2025 will take place in Vancouver, Canada, from June 27 to July 12. The event is expected to bring together the best teams from across the world as they battle for supremacy midway through the competitive year.
For the grandest stage of them all, Worlds 2025 will be hosted across multiple cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. While the specific dates remain unknown, Riot has confirmed its commitment to returning to one of its strongest esports markets.
LoL International Tournaments 2026, 2027 (image via Getty)Looking further ahead, The First Stand 2026 will take place in Brazil, marking an exciting shift for the League of Legends esports ecosystem. MSI 2026 is set to be hosted in South Korea, bringing the prestigious tournament back to one of the most competitive and passionate regions for League esports. Worlds 2026, on the other hand, will be held in North America, a region with a deep history of hosting Riot’s biggest events.
In 2027, Riot will take The First Stand to Southeast Asia, reflecting the region’s growing prominence in the global League community. MSI 2027 will then be hosted in Europe before the League World Championship returns to South Korea for what promises to be another landmark event.
Introducing the Fearless Draft in 2025
One of the most significant changes to the competitive terrain in 2025 is the introduction of the Full Fearless Draft. This innovative format aims to add greater strategic depth to best-of-series matches by preventing teams from selecting champions they have previously used.
The Fearless Draft system will first be implemented in Split One across various regions and will also be a key feature of The First Stand. With over 160 champions in the game, many fans and analysts believe this change will enhance diversity in champion picks and uplift the level of strategic play at all levels of competition.
While Riot has not confirmed whether Fearless Draft will eventually be used across every international and domestic event, the community is hopeful that it will become a staple of professional play. The system could lead to fresher matchups, increase skill expression, and prevent teams from relying too heavily on specific champion compositions.
LoL International Tournaments 2026, 2027 (image via Getty)New Era in LoL Esports
Riot Games’ roadmap for international League of Legends competition through 2027 is an exciting prospect for the community. The expansion of global events, the introduction of The First Stand, and the implementation of Fearless Draft all signal the developer’s commitment to evolving the esport.
By announcing event locations years in advance, Riot is giving fans, players, and organizations the ability to plan ahead and engage more deeply with the competitive scene. As new storylines unfold and regional power dynamics shift, the next few years are shaping up to be an exhilarating period for League of Legends esports.
