Japan and South Korea to Host 2027 League of Legends World Championship

Japan and South Korea will host the 2027 League of Legends World Championship across Nagoya, Suwon, and Seoul from October to November 2027, Wikipedia reported.

The tournament marks the seventeenth iteration of the annual international event organized by Riot Games. It represents the first time an international League of Legends competition will take place in Japan. It is also the first World Championship held in the Asia-Pacific region since 2014 and the first under the League of Legends Championship Pacific banner, alongside South Korea’s third hosting of the tournament after the 2014, 2018, and 2023 editions.

Teams qualify based on placement within their regional leagues and results gained in the 2027 Mid-Season Invitational. Bilibili Gaming of China’s League of Legends Pro League enters the tournament as the defending champions after defeating Gen.G in the 2026 final, Wikipedia reported.

Riot Games initially announced South Korea as the host nation for the 2027 tournament in a development update video published on January 8, 2025. The Korea e-Sports Association opened the bidding process for potential host cities for the knockout stage in March 2026.

Nagoya, Suwon, and Seoul join as host cities

Riot Games added Nagoya as a host city for the Swiss stage during the media day for the 2026 World Championship Final in New York City on November 13, 2026, Wikipedia reported. The announcement also confirmed Suwon and Seoul as host cities for the knockout stage and finals, respectively.

Seoul previously hosted the 2014, 2018, and 2023 World Championship editions and is the home city of the League of Legends Champions Korea, while this will be Suwon’s first time hosting an international League of Legends competition. The 2026 Asian Games took place in Aichi Prefecture’s Nagoya, featuring an esports competition that included League of Legends alongside various other video game events.

Three venues will stage the matches during the tournament. Quarterfinal and semifinal matches are scheduled for the Suwon Convention Center, whereas the championship conclusion will occur at the newly built Seoul Arena situated within the Chang-dong area of Dobong District, according to Wikipedia.

LCK Roadshow competitions organized by Gen.G and KT Rolster took place at the Suwon Convention Center throughout the 2025 LCK season, and the Seoul Arena accommodates 28,000 attendees with its grand opening scheduled for June 2027. No venue has been confirmed yet for Nagoya.

Leagues qualify for tournament but quotas remain undetermined

As noted by Wikipedia, participation will include squads from the Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends (CBLOL), League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP), League Championship Series (LCS), League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), and League of Legends Pro League (LPL), though the precise allocation of slots has not yet been finalized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which leagues will send teams to the 2027 tournament?

The Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends, League of Legends Champions Korea, League of Legends Championship Pacific, League Championship Series, League of Legends EMEA Championship, and League of Legends Pro League will send qualified teams each, but the quota distribution has not been determined, according to Wikipedia.

Where will the finals take place?

The finals will take place at the new Seoul Arena in the Chang-dong neighborhood located in the city’s Dobong District, Wikipedia reported.

When does the new Seoul Arena open?

The Seoul Arena is set to open in June 2027, Wikipedia reported.

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