The second week of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC 25) is all about League of Legends. Starting July 16, 12 of the best teams from around the world will battle in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to win the championship title and a major share of the $2 million prize pool. The biggest question anyone can stop defending champions T1?
A Fresh New Format for 2025
This year, the tournament format is totally changed compared to 2024. Now, more teams are invited to play. Lower-seeded teams will first fight in a qualification stage. The top ones will move to a single-elimination bracket, where the best-of matches begin.
The big twist this year is the Fearless Draft. In this rule, teams cannot use the same champion more than once during a series. This change means we’ll see new strategies, different team compositions, and more creative gameplay. It makes every match feel fresh and exciting.
T1 Returns to Defend the Title
T1, the 2024 champions, are back and ready to fight again. Led by Faker, one of the most famous names in esports, T1 recently reached the MSI final, showing they’re still in great shape.
Though they lost that MSI final, T1 will come back stronger in Riyadh. The team is focused on winning the EWC title for the second year in a row.
Korea Brings the Heat
South Korea has always been strong in League of Legends, and this year they’re sending three top teams:
- T1 – Last year’s champions
- Gen.G – This year’s most dominant team with a 23-0 win record and a recent MSI title
- Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) – A rising team that won the First Stand tournament and is ranked 4th in the world
With all three attending, the Korean region looks very dangerous this year.
Can Anyone Beat Korea?
If you’re rooting for someone outside Korea, keep your eyes on Anyone’s Legend (AG.AL). This Chinese squad almost beat T1 at MSI and is considered the third-best team in the world. They’re hungry for revenge and ready to take the trophy home to China.
Don’t forget about the underdogs! CTBC Flying Oyster and FlyQuest surprised many fans at MSI with their solid gameplay. Now, they want to shock the world again.
Other exciting teams include:
- Bilibili Gaming
- Cloud9
- G2 Esports
- FURIA
- KOI
- GAM Esports
Club Championship Race
This League of Legends tournament isn’t just about the title it also plays a big part in the Esports World Cup Club Championship.
- Gen.G already did well in VALORANT (3rd) and Apex Legends (4th). With their unbeatable LoL squad, they could become the top club overall.
- AG.AL is also in a strong position, playing in three major events this week. Their performances in all these games could boost them up the club leaderboard.
When and Where to Watch
The League of Legends matches begin on Wednesday, July 16, at the stc Esports Arena in Riyadh. The tournament runs until July 20, where the finals will decide who becomes the EWC 25 champion.
Matches will be streamed live on YouTube, Twitch, and other official Esports World Cup platforms.
Why This Year Feels Special
- New draft rules = unpredictable games
- More teams = tougher competition
- Bigger prize = higher stakes
- Stronger clubs = better esports experience
- Rising underdogs = chance for surprises
The Esports World Cup 2025 is not just a tournament. It’s a global celebration of League of Legends, with every match full of passion, strategy, and competition.
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