MSI 2025 Bracket Stage

MSI 2025 Bracket Stage: Schedule, Format & What’s at Stake

The 2025 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) main event is officially underway, with eight of the world’s best League of Legends teams battling for international glory. With teams from the LCK, LPL, and LEC each securing two slots, and a double-elimination format in place, the bracket stage is already shaping up to be one of the most competitive in MSI history. Every pro-player, LoL Esports sponsor, amateur fan, and streamer is watching closely!

Who Qualified for the Bracket Stage?

After an intense Play-In stage, Bilibili Gaming (LPL #2) and G2 Esports (LEC #2) advanced to the main draw, joining six teams that had already qualified directly. The full bracket includes:

• Gen.G (LCK #1)
• T1 (LCK #2)
• Anyone’s Legend (LPL #1)
• CTBC Flying Oyster (PCS #1)
• FlyQuest (Americas #1)
• KOI (LEC #1)
• Bilibili Gaming (LPL #2, via Play-Ins)
• G2 Esports (LEC #2, via Play-Ins)

South Korea earned an additional main stage slot thanks to Hanwha Life Esports’ First Stand win earlier this year. This gave the LCK a valuable boost heading into MSI.

How Seeding Works for MSI

To determine the initial matchups, all teams were divided into four competitive tiers:

• Tier 1: Gen.G, KOI
• Tier 2: Anyone’s Legend, CTBC Flying Oyster
• Tier 3: FlyQuest, T1
• Tier 4: Bilibili Gaming, G2 Esports

The seeding format pairs Tier 1 teams against Tier 4, and Tier 2 against Tier 3, with regional protection enforced to prevent same-region clashes in the opening round.

This structure not only ensures balanced early matchups but also gives top seeds a slight edge—an important boost when every win matters.

First-Round Matchups Revealed

Here’s how the first round is set up:

• Gen.G vs. G2 Esports
• Anyone’s Legend vs. FlyQuest
• CTBC Flying Oyster vs. T1
• KOI vs. Bilibili Gaming

Every series in the bracket is played in a best-of-five format using the Fearless Draft system, where teams can’t repeat bans or picks from previous games. This rule promotes deeper strategies and rewards teams that adapt quickly.

The format not only challenges team depth but also tests mental resilience, making it a true LoL experience for both players and fans.

So far, Gen.G defeated G2 Esports and Anyone's Legend took out FlyQuest, meaning that the LEC and LTA will have a last chance battle to stay in the competition, in the lower bracket.

MSI Format: Double Elimination Explained

Unlike single-elimination tournaments, MSI uses a double-elimination format. This means a team isn’t knocked out after one loss. Instead, they drop into the lower bracket for a second chance to climb their way back to the grand final.

With this system in place, expect unexpected turnarounds and dramatic upsets. It also allows lower-seeded teams to recover, creating a more level playing field and indirectly boosting competition across the board.

What’s at Stake?

Beyond the title of MSI 2025 champion, the stakes are incredibly high. The winning team will automatically qualify for Worlds, provided they also make the Summer Split playoffs in their region. This gives them a significant rank advantage and eases pressure for the remainder of the season.

Additionally, the second-best performing region at MSI will be awarded a fourth Worlds slot, a crucial expansion that could tip the competitive balance in the year’s biggest tournament.

However, there’s a twist: if two teams from the same region reach the MSI final, the extra Worlds slot is given to the third-best performing region—determined by the lower bracket finalist.

This unique system adds an exciting layer of regional rivalry, where even a team’s loss can indirectly contribute to its region’s long-term success in the League of Legends ecosystem.

Key Dates to Watch

• Bracket Stage Start: July 2, 2025
• Grand Final: July 13, 2025
• Esports World Cup Start: July 16, 2025

MSI concludes just three days before the Esports World Cup, which will feature many of the same teams. This tight schedule means players must maintain peak performance across back-to-back global events—a serious test of endurance and strategy.

If you selected all your Pick'Ems, then you don't want to miss out on these matches. Who knows, maybe you'll be the lucky one who gets awarded a mythic skin in League of Legends!

Final Thoughts

With so many top-tier organizations in play, MSI 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the League of Legends season. From fresh matchups to high-stakes implications for Worlds, every game offers a chance for teams to boost their legacy.

Whether you're tracking your favorite team or analyzing potential rank changes and regional power shifts, this MSI bracket stage is a must-watch for any LoL fan. Expect big plays, bold drafts, and region-defining moments as the tournament unfolds.

 

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