99.6 million people have streamed the League of Legends 2018 World Cup in Korea according to organizers. At peak times, 44 million people watched at the same time. Thus, the E-Sport surpasses finals series of major sports such as the US Basketball League NBA and the US Baseball League MLB.
While the Korea 2018 FIFA World Cup ™ ended in unexpected surprise for the hosts after five consecutive league appearances, this year's hosts are hoping for a positive surprise: at the tournament in Berlin, Madrid and Paris, the European title chances are almost gone. Here you will find all important information about the Worlds 2019.
How's the League of Legends World Cup going?
In contrast to classic world championships, no nations compete against each other at the Worlds, but mostly international teams that represent different regions of the world. Twelve teams play from October 2-8 in a preliminary round (play-in stage), four qualify for the main draw. The teams of the Play-In Stage at a glance:
The 2019 World Championship Play-In Groups # Worlds2019 pic.twitter.com/t2pMZ3R3tR
- lolesports (@lolesports) September 23, 2019In the main round twelve teams are already set by their good season results. The 16 teams will start in groups of four, the two best in the group will move into the knockout phase. The teams so far qualified for the main round:
The 2019 World Championship Groups # Worlds2019 pic.twitter.com/XQmx4MoRqY
- lolesports (@lolesports) September 23, 2019The individual stages of the tournament take place in different European cities:
- Preliminary round in Berlin (2 to 9 October)
- Group phase in Berlin (12 to 20 October)
- Quarterfinals in Madrid (26 and 27 October)
- Semifinals in Madrid (2 and 3 November)
- Final in Paris (10th of November)
Where are the games transmitted?
The games can be followed free of charge via the homepage of the organizer or Twitch - in English and German.
Who are the title favorites?
Five consecutive World Cup titles had been won by Korean teams before Chinese team Invictus Gaming broke through in the previous year. The Worlds 2018 in their own country was a sign that the time of the dominant Korean teams could be over. In the quarterfinals, the best teams from the e-sports stronghold were over.
The most successful team ever, SK Telecom T1, could not even qualify for the World Cup in Korea. However, before the World Cup in Europe, the record world champion is back in top form. Led by superstar Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, SKT is a contender for its fourth world title.
Also from China candidates come to a World Cup success. While defending champion Invictus Gaming is playing a mixed season, FunPlus Phoenix and Royal Never Give Up in particular seem to be in strong shape.
Martin Vornweg-Brückner / DER SPIEGEL
Luka "Perkz" Perkovic (left) and Rasmus "Caps" Winther want to become world champions with G2 Esports
The European chances for a title are as good as they have been since the title at the first World Cup in 2011: G2 Esports is the team of the hour, so far this season has won everything there was to win - including the Mid Season Invitational, the dress rehearsal for the World Cup, which witnessed the first impressive showdown with Asian competition. In every position occupied with top players, who harmonize perfectly with each other, G2 could dominate the global competition.
The other western teams traditionally have maximum outsider opportunities. Fnatic made it into the World Cup final last year as a European team, but lost there clearly. After the departure of star player Ramus "Caps" Winther to G2 and a tedious start to the new season Fnatic seems to be able to get a similar result in a good tournament constellation. The North American representatives will have a harder time. Team Liquid and Cloud 9 can cause a stir in the knockout rounds, but are unlikely to compete for the title.
More about League of Legends in the video:
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