TL;DR
- Riot Games announced World Championship hosts through 2021: Europe (2019), China (2020), North America (2021)
- Strategic venue rotation addresses past criticism about delayed announcements
- Paris confirmed as 2019 finals location while other cities remain unannounced
- China’s massive player base and NA’s growing investment make ideal host regions
- Other international events like MSI and All-Stars will be hosted separately
- Three-year planning cycle provides stability for teams and fans worldwide
In a significant departure from previous practices, Riot Games has unveiled the host destinations for the upcoming three League of Legends World Championship tournaments through 2021.
This proactive announcement strategy directly responds to community feedback following the 2018 scheduling delays that drew criticism from fans and organizations alike. By revealing the continental hosts years in advance, Riot provides crucial planning time for teams, sponsors, and international travelers.
2019 – Europe
The world’s premier League of Legends competition makes its long-awaited return to European soil after a four-year absence from the continent. This marks a significant homecoming for one of esports’ most passionate and historically relevant regions.
While specific host cities beyond Paris remain undisclosed, the confirmed French capital finals location offers exciting possibilities for European fans. The time zone advantage provides optimal viewing hours for both European and North American audiences, maximizing global engagement.
2020 – China
China represents League of Legends’ largest and most dedicated player base worldwide, making it a natural choice for hosting the 2020 championship. The region boasts some of the world’s most impressive esports facilities and production capabilities.
The 2018 victory by Invictus Gaming marked a watershed moment for the LPL region, creating massive local enthusiasm for hosting future international tournaments. Chinese venues consistently deliver exceptional spectator experiences with state-of-the-art technology and massive capacity arenas.
2021 – North America
North America brings substantial World Championship hosting experience to the table, having previously organized three successful tournaments including the memorable 2013 event where SK Telecom T1 claimed their inaugural title.
The region’s expanding domestic competitive landscape, coupled with significant financial investments from organizations across the continent, has firmly established North America as a powerhouse in the global League of Legends ecosystem. The question of whether the first North American world champion could be crowned on home soil adds compelling narrative tension to the 2021 event.
Other International Events
While the World Championship represents the pinnacle of competitive League of Legends each year, Riot’s international calendar includes several other significant tournaments that engage global audiences.
The Mid-Season Invitational stands as one of the most eagerly awaited competitions, featuring spring split champions from every major region competing for international bragging rights and regional pride.
All-Stars events gather the world’s most popular professional players for entertaining exhibition matches and community interaction. According to Riot’s strategic planning, these secondary international competitions will be staged in geographical locations distinct from each year’s World Championship host region, potentially bringing premier esports events to underserved markets like South America or Southeast Asia.
This three-year hosting roadmap demonstrates Riot Games’ commitment to strategic global expansion and regional representation in competitive League of Legends. The rotation through three major esports markets ensures diverse cultural experiences for players and fans while maximizing global engagement through varied time zones and regional storytelling opportunities.
For teams planning international competition schedules, the advanced notice provides crucial preparation time for visa applications, training regimens, and logistical planning. The separate hosting of other international tournaments like MSI ensures that multiple regions benefit from Riot’s premier competitive events throughout each season.
Action Checklist
- Research visa requirements for 2019 European event if planning to attend
- Follow official Riot Games channels for city-specific announcements
- Begin saving for international travel expenses for desired championship year
- Coordinate with local viewing parties for optimal group viewing experiences
- Study regional meta developments in preparation for international competition viewing
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Here’s where Riot’s next three World Championships will be Riot Games announces next three League of Legends World Championship locations across Europe, China, and North America