TL;DR
- MSI 2019 marks Vietnam’s debut as host with 13 regional champions competing
- Two-stage format features Play-In elimination rounds and Main Event group competition
- Invictus Gaming, G2 Esports, and SK Telecom T1 receive direct Main Event seeding
- Regional dark horses like 1907 Fenerbahçe and Phong Vũ Buffalo could disrupt expectations
- Results determine World Championship seeding with $250,000 prize pool at stake
The competitive League of Legends season reaches its first major international peak with the Mid-Season Invitational, where spring split champions from every major region converge for elite competition.
Making esports history, Vietnam welcomes its first premier international tournament at Ho Chi Minh City’s GG Stadium starting May 1st.
This comprehensive guide breaks down everything from tournament mechanics to team strategies for the 2019 championship.
Understanding the Mid-Season Invitational’s Role
Positioned as the premier inter-regional competition before the World Championship, MSI serves as both a championship event and crucial seeding tournament for the competitive calendar.
MSI Competitive Format Deep Dive
The tournament employs a carefully designed two-phase structure that balances regional representation with competitive integrity.
During the initial Play-In Stage, eight squads split into dual four-team groups battle through double round-robin matches where every game follows best-of-one format, creating intense pressure from the opening moments.
The second phase sees group winners challenging directly seeded organizations, with Seed A confronting Team Liquid from the LCS and Seed B facing LMS champions Flash Wolves.
Victorious teams advance directly to the Main Event, while defeated rosters face elimination matches for the final qualification spot, with all these decisive contests following best-of-five series structure.
Six elite teams then compete in the Main Event’s group stage, featuring another double round-robin with best-of-one matches where the top four progress to knockout rounds.
The culminating bracket employs single elimination with best-of-five matches determining which two organizations reach the grand finals and ultimately claim the championship title.
International Contenders Breakdown
Thirteen regional titleholders bring their distinctive playstyles and strategic approaches to the international stage, representing the peak of competitive League of Legends across developing and established regions.
The ten teams battling through Play-In qualification represent diverse competitive landscapes:
1907 Fenerbahçe, Turkey
Bombers, Oceania
Isurus Gaming, Latin America
Phong Vũ Buffalo, Vietnam
Mega, Southeast Asia
Vega Squadron, Commonwealth Of Independent States
Detonation Focus Me, Japan
INTZ e-Sports, Brazil
Team Liquid, North America
Flash Wolves, Taiwan
Three powerhouse organizations receive automatic Main Event placement based on their regions’ historical performance:
Invictus Gaming, China
G2 Esports, Europe
SK Telecom T1, South Korea
Key Organizations and Strategic Matchups
Expected frontrunners include G2 Esports, Invictus Gaming, SK Telecom T1, and Team Liquid, though emerging regions present legitimate dark horse threats capable of tournament-shifting performances.
1907 Fenerbahçe (TCL): Turkish competitive League continues its ascent as a formidable emerging region, consistently delivering impressive international showings despite limited resources. This marks 1907 Fenerbahçe’s inaugural MSI representation following their dominant spring performance.
The Turkish squad employs calculated top-lane focused strategies and concluded their spring campaign with an extraordinary 20-match victory streak. Critical players include top laner Kim “Ruin” Hyeong-min and jungler Thomas “Kirei” Yuen, whose synergy creates relentless map pressure.
Phong Vũ Buffalo (VCS): Vietnam established independent regional status in 2018, quickly earning recognition for aggressive, innovative playstyles that challenge conventional competitive approaches. As hometown representatives competing before local supporters, Phong Vũ Buffalo carries additional motivation to perform.
Competing on home turf provides both advantage and pressure for the Vietnamese champions. Their standout performer remains top laner Phạm “Zeros” Minh Lộc, known for unconventional champion selections and lane dominance.
Strategic Consequences and Future Seeding
Competitors battle for shares of the $250,000 prize pool while simultaneously determining critical World Championship qualification positions that shape the entire competitive season.
MSI outcomes directly influence seeding for the 2019 World Championship, with the four strongest performing teams securing premium placements at the year’s culminating event.
The highest-achieving Play-In Stage organization guarantees main event qualification at Worlds while also securing an additional Play-In seed, potentially doubling regional representation at the championship.
Securing dual team representation at Worlds provides immense developmental benefits for emerging competitive regions, accelerating infrastructure growth and player development programs.
For organizations from developing regions, strong MSI performances can attract sponsorship interest, enhance roster stability, and improve future recruitment prospects within the global ecosystem.
Action Checklist
- Study team rosters and regional playstyles before tournament start
- Create viewing schedule focusing on key matchups between regional styles
- Analyze draft phases for strategic trends and champion priority shifts
- Track emerging region performances for Worlds qualification implications
- Monitor player performances for meta-shifting strategies and innovations
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » MSI 2019 arrives in Vietnam, and this is all you need to know Complete guide to MSI 2019 format, teams, and strategic insights for League of Legends fans