Last updated: 26 September 2025
What is LoL Worlds & Why Bettors Care
The League of Legends World Championship, more commonly known as LoL Worlds, is Riot Games’ flagship esports tournament. Since its launch in 2011, Worlds has become the biggest event in the competitive League of Legends calendar. Millions of fans tune in each year to watch the best teams from Korea, China, Europe, North America, and other regions fight for the coveted Summoner’s Cup.
For bettors, Worlds is also the most valuable event of the year. It offers more markets, sharper odds, and higher liquidity than regular season play or even the Mid-Season Invitational.
Best LoL Worlds Betting Sites in 2025
If you’re looking for the best LoL Worlds betting sites this year, these sportsbooks stand out for esports coverage, trusted licences, and strong welcome offers. My top recommended picks are GG.BET and Thunderpick, while BetOnline and Betway are excellent depending on your location and payment preference.
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LoL Worlds 2025 Tournament Structure & Format
Dates: 14 October – 9 November 2025.
Total teams: 17
Host cities: Beijing (Play-In & Swiss), Shanghai (Quarterfinals & Semifinals), Chengdu (Grand Final).
Note: 2025 features a streamlined field of 17 teams (down from 20 in 2024). The Play-In is a decisive qualifier into the Swiss Stage, followed by a single-elimination Knockout Bracket.
| Stage | Teams | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play-In (14 Oct) | 2 (4th seeds in contention) | Best-of-5 (Fearless Draft) | Winner qualifies to Swiss Stage. Format details. |
| Swiss Stage (15–19 & 22–25 Oct) | 16 | 5 rounds Swiss; Bo1 & Bo3 (adv./elim. Bo3) | 3 wins = advance; 3 losses = out. Format details. |
| Knockout Stage (28 Oct – 2 Nov; Final 9 Nov) | 8 | Single-elimination; Best-of-5 (Fearless Draft) | Quarters → Semis → Grand Final. Format details. |
Sources: Liquipedia, Wikipedia, Leaguepedia (Fandom).
This structure rewards consistency while preserving upset potential—ideal conditions for finding value in outright and series markets.
Teams & Players to Watch
Qualified line-ups lock after Summer Splits, but these regions/organisations are perennial contenders:
- Korea (LCK) — T1 (Faker), Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports
- China (LPL) — Bilibili Gaming, JD Gaming, LNG Esports
- Europe (LEC) — G2 Esports, Fnatic, KOI
- North America (LCS) — 100 Thieves, FlyQuest
- Other Regions — PCS, VCS, CBLOL, LLA representatives
Tip: LCK and LPL have captured the vast majority of titles since 2013. Reviewing regional form at MSI and inter-regional events is a strong leading indicator.
Source: Leaguepedia.
Prize Money Distribution (2025)
Riot has confirmed a $5,000,000 USD prize pool for Worlds 2025. Final distribution is historically announced closer to the event.
| Placement | Prize (USD) | % of Pool |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $1,000,000 (est.) | 20% |
| 2nd | $800,000 (est.) | 16% |
| 3rd–4th | $400,000 (est.) | 8% each |
| 5th–8th | $225,000 (est.) | 4.5% each |
| 9th–11th | $175,000 (est.) | 3.5% each |
| 12th–14th | $150,000 (est.) | 3% each |
| 15th–16th | $125,000 (est.) | 2.5% each |
| 17th–18th | $90,000 (est.) | 1.75% each |
| 19th–20th | $50,000 (est.) | 1% each |
Sources: Liquipedia, Esports Insider, Esports.gg.
Past Winners of LoL Worlds
Every Worlds champion and runner-up since 2011:
| Year | Winner | Runner-Up | Region of Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Fnatic | Against All Authority | EU |
| 2012 | Taipei Assassins | Azubu Frost | LMS (Taiwan) |
| 2013 | SK Telecom T1 | Royal Club | LCK (Korea) |
| 2014 | Samsung White | Star Horn Royal Club | LCK |
| 2015 | SK Telecom T1 | KOO Tigers | LCK |
| 2016 | SK Telecom T1 | Samsung Galaxy | LCK |
| 2017 | Samsung Galaxy | SK Telecom T1 | LCK |
| 2018 | Invictus Gaming | Fnatic | LPL (China) |
| 2019 | FunPlus Phoenix | G2 Esports | LPL |
| 2020 | DAMWON Gaming | Suning | LCK |
| 2021 | Edward Gaming | DWG KIA | LPL |
| 2022 | DRX | T1 | LCK |
| 2023 | T1 | Weibo Gaming | LCK |
| 2024 | T1 | Bilibili Gaming | LCK |
How to Bet on LoL Worlds
Betting on Worlds mirrors traditional sports markets but with esports-specific angles and higher liquidity.
Popular Markets
- Outright Winner — pick the champion before or during the event.
- Match Winner — series moneyline in Swiss or Knockouts.
- Map Handicaps / Over-Under — predict series length or spread.
- Region Specials — e.g., LCK vs LPL total wins.
- Player Props — MVP, most kills, first blood, etc.
Expert Tips
- Track meta shifts (patch notes) pre-Worlds—some champions spike in priority overnight.
- Weight regional form from MSI and cross-regional events.
- Use live betting in Swiss—momentum and adaptations matter across Bo1/Bo3 cycles.
- Spot underdogs with stable rosters/coaching; LEC/LCS have produced upsets.
LoL Worlds Odds & Betting Tips
Outright odds typically appear months ahead of Worlds and expand into map-by-map and player props as the event progresses. Always compare prices across multiple sportsbooks (e.g., GG.BET, Betway, BetOnline)—small differences compound across a long tournament.
Where to Watch LoL Worlds (live & VOD)
Watching live gives bettors an edge — you’ll spot draft advantages, jungle pathing, objective setups,
and mid-series adaptations before markets fully adjust. Here are the official places to watch
LoL Worlds.
Watch on the official LoL Esports platform with schedules, standings, live scores and VODs.
Streams often include drops and event quests during Worlds.
Visit
LoLEsports.com.
Catch the official Riot Games broadcast and co-streams live on
Twitch.
You can also browse the
LoL directory
for alternative casts in your language.
Watch official broadcasts, highlights and full VODs on
YouTube (LoL Esports)
and
YouTube (Riot Games).
VODs are perfect for pre-match scouting and in-play prep between maps.
Tip: display all match times in Europe/Dublin on this page so Irish users see local times at a glance.
FAQ’s – LoL Worlds Betting 2025
Where can I bet on LoL Worlds?
At licensed sportsbooks such as GG.BET, Betway, BetOnline, Thunderpick, and TonyBet (availability by region).
Is it legal to bet on LoL Worlds?
Yes—where online betting is regulated (e.g., UK, much of Europe). Always check local laws and age requirements.
What are the most popular markets?
Outright winner, match winner, map handicaps/total maps, region specials, and MVP/player props.
Can I bet with crypto?
Yes—books like BetOnline and Thunderpick accept cryptocurrencies (check supported coins and fees).
How do Pick’Ems differ from real betting?
Pick’Ems are Riot’s free prediction games. Real betting involves licensed bookmakers, real money, and risk.
Conclusion
LoL Worlds is the pinnacle of competitive League of Legends—and a prime opportunity for informed betting. With a $5M prize pool, elite teams, and evolving meta, value appears in outrights, series lines, and map markets throughout October–November.
For broader strategy, markets, and site reviews, see our League of Legends Betting Guide.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the betting sites listed in this guide are affiliate partners. If you sign up or deposit through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend regulated sportsbooks we trust.
T&Cs apply • 18+ • Please gamble responsibly.
