KeSPA seeks host cities for LoL Worlds 2027, shares format and schedule details

Naerlyn Published March 12, 2026

The Korea e-Sports Association has announced that it seeking host cities for the Knockout stage of the League of Legends World Championship 2027 on behalf of Riot Games. With that, the association has provided information on the format, dates, teams, and prize pool of the 2027 LoL World Championship.

The format of the 2027 LoL World Championship

While KeSPA has said the schedule is tentative and subject to change, it has also provided several details. The tournament will be held in South Korea over 30 days, between October 15 and November 14, 2027. The dates, teams, and prize pool are all similar to that of 2025, and it looks like the format will remain largely unchanged too.

Given the number of teams, we should still have a Swiss stage among the top 16 teams. The eight best LoL teams will then advance to the Knockout stage. Before that, there will be a minimal play-in stage close to that of 2025, to round down the number of participants from 18 to 16.

The Summoner’s Cup for the LoL World Championship. Image source: Colin Young-Wolff / Riot Games

The dates of the 2027 LoL World Championship

In 2027, Riot will once again run the playoffs quickly by keeping the quarterfinals and semifinals grouped up.

With four teams involved, the play-in stage will likely feature one of two formats.

• Each team plays a best-of-five against one other team. The two winners advance to the Swiss stage.
• Alternatively, the four teams compete in a double-elimination bracket. Both teams that get two wins qualify.

Afterwards, the Swiss stage should run over nine days again. Lastly, the playoffs will hold one match per day, like on most years.

Read also: The Best LoL Players of all time

Who are the competing teams?

In 2027, the LoL World Championship will feature 18 teams.

Note that the qualification methods may change if the leagues’ formats change in 2027.

Will Faker win the 2027 LoL World Championship? Image source: Liu YiCun / Riot Games

Prize pool and arena sizes

Lastly, KeSPA has revealed the prize pool and the target arena sizes they’re looking for the Knockout venues.

Like in 2025, the prize pool will be $5,000,000, before adding revenue shares from sales of the Worlds-themed skin.

With no venue requested for the play-in and Swiss stage, we can assume that these will be held at the LoL Park where the LCK teams play. This arena has a capacity of 500 people.

The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place in the same venue, given that they will play back-to-back. Riot is targeting a venue with a capacity of around 8,000 people for this arena, accepting a minimum of 5,000.

As for the finals, they want a venue that can welcome more than 10,000 people. Riot is also open to having all Knockout stage matches in the same venue, rather than separating the finals from the rest.

The hosting cities and venues will be announced during the first week of August 2026.

Featured image source: Riot Games