MSI 2025 LoL Format and Prize Revealed

League of Legends MSI 2025: Fearless Draft Format and a $2M Prize Pool

The League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful esports events of the year. From its record-breaking $2,000,000 prize pool to a bold new draft format, Riot Games is pulling out all the stops to keep competitive LoL fresh and unpredictable. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the pro scene, here's what to expect at this year’s MSI.

Fearless Draft: A Game-Changer for LoL Esports

The biggest shakeup to the MSI format this year is the introduction of Fearless Draft, a system designed to challenge even the most seasoned pros. In a traditional best-of-five (Bo5) match, players can reuse their favorite champions repeatedly. But not anymore.

With Fearless Draft, any champion played in a previous game becomes unavailable for the rest of the series — for both teams. That means team compositions evolve rapidly, forcing players to adapt their strategies mid-series and show off a deeper champion pool. It’s a move aimed at boosting the competitive integrity of the tournament and shaking up predictable metas.

Here’s how the bans stack up in each game of a Bo5:

• Game 1: 10 standard bans
• Game 2: 10 standard + 10 Fearless bans (20 total)
• Game 3: 10 standard + 20 Fearless bans (30 total)
• Game 4: 10 standard + 30 Fearless bans (40 total)
• Game 5: 10 standard + 40 Fearless bans (50 total)

This format not only raises the skill ceiling but could also affect a team’s international rank depending on how well they can adapt across multiple games. Expect surprising picks and off-meta champions to make appearances as the tournament progresses.

The MSI 2025 Prize Pool: $2 Million

For many, the main attraction isn’t just the gameplay — it’s the prize money. Riot Games has officially confirmed that the LoL MSI 2025 prize pool sits at a staggering $2,000,000, dwarfing last year’s $250,000 offering. This prize, along with the first major championship being held in Canada in a very long time, only adds weight to the crown, and whoever takes it home will be set for life. With only 10 teams competing this year (as opposed to 12 in 2024), there’s more cash per competitor — and more pressure than ever to perform.

If Riot follows the same distribution format as MSI 2024, here’s a rough estimate of how the prize pool might be split:

• 1st place: 20% ($400,000)
• 2nd place: 16% ($320,000)
• 3rd place: 12% ($240,000)
• 4th place: 10% ($200,000)

The remaining teams will receive decreasing percentages depending on their final placement. These stakes don’t just motivate the pros; they also boost the level of play for viewers watching from around the world.

List of LoL MSI Champions

If history tells us anything, MSI is where League of Legends greatness is forged. These are the teams that previously rose above the rest:

• 2015: Edward Gaming defeated SK Telecom T1 (3-1)
• 2016–2017: SKT claimed back-to-back wins, including a clean 3-0 over CLG
• 2018: Royal Never Give Up beat King-Zone DragonX (3-1)
• 2019: G2 Esports swept Team Liquid (3-0)
• 2020: The event was canceled
• 2021–2022: Royal Never Give Up took back-to-back titles
• 2023: JD Gaming triumphed over Bilibili Gaming
• 2024: Gen.G secured the crown in a 3-1 win over Bilibili Gaming

Looking ahead, MSI 2025 could be another turning point for any team ready to boost their global reputation.

When Will the LoL MSI 2025 Begin?

This year’s tournament will take place from June 27 to July 12 at Vancouver’s Pacific Coliseum, a 17,000-seat venue known for hosting major esports events. It’s not just another tournament — it’s Riot’s second international event of the year and a critical checkpoint before Worlds.

In addition to the stakes at MSI, teams that perform well could earn their region an extra slot at Worlds 2025, adding another layer of importance to every match. If you’re interested in watching or increasing your own knowledge of the pro scene, this is the time to tune in.

Where to Watch the LoL MSI 2025

You can watch the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational on the official LoLEsports Twitch or YouTube channels, as well as in the official League of Legends website. But the MSI isn’t just for players. Riot has continued its tradition of allowing content creators to co-stream matches, opening the door for fans to experience the action through their favorite personalities. This strategy helps boost viewership and makes MSI more accessible to casual audiences. Whether you're looking to rank up your understanding of pro play or simply enjoy high-stakes League of Legends, co-streaming options bring extra flavor to the broadcast.

Get Ready for the 2025 LoL MSI

MSI 2025 could be one of the most exciting League of Legends events we’ve ever seen. The mix of Fearless Draft, a smaller and more elite pool of teams, and a record-breaking prize pool is bound to shake up the competitive landscape. For pros, it’s a career-defining opportunity to improve their status on the international stage. For fans, it’s a front-row seat to the future of LoL esports.

Whether you're grinding Solo Queue or simply spectating, there's no better time to see how the world's best adapt, evolve, and fight for the top rank in League of Legends.

 

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