MSI 2025 is here!! Format, Schedule, Teams, Opening Matchups and More

Top-tier League of Legends action returns to the international stage once more at this year's Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). Ten of the best teams from all over the world will converge in Vancouver, Canada, for a chance to come away with the second international trophy of the year when MSI 2025 kicks off on Friday, June 27th.

Let's go ahead and take a look at everything there is to know about MSI 2025, from the format and schedule, to the opening matchups.

Credit: Riot Games

Format

The second international tournament of the year will take place across two stages: the Play-In Stage and the Bracket Stage. Here's how each of these will work:

Play-In Stage:

• Features #2 seeds from the LEC, LPL, and LCP + the #1 seed from the LTA South
• Double-elimination bracket
• All matches are Bo5
• Fearless Draft throughout
• Top 2 teams qualify for the Bracket Stage

Bracket Stage:

• Remaining 8 teams
• Double-elimination bracket
• All matches are Bo5
• Fearless Draft throughout
• Top 2 regions at MSI earn an additional seed for Worlds 2025
• MSI winner qualifies to Worlds 2025

For a closer look at the teams that make up each stage of MSI 2025, as well as the biggest missing stars from the tournament, make sure to check our complete list of teams attending the event.

The complete lineup of teams that make up MSI 2025! (Credit: Riot Games)

Schedule

All of the MSI action will kick off on June 27th with the start of the Play-In Stage! Here's a closer look at the schedule and the stellar opening matchups that await us:

• The Play-In Stage will take place across June 27th, 28th, and 29th (Friday-Sunday)
• The Bracket Stage begins on Tuesday, July 1st
• Our MSI 2025 Grand Finals will crown the champions on Saturday, July 12th
• June 30th and July 6th are dark days (no games played)
• All matches will begin at 12 pm PT / 9 pm CET

Opening Matches

• G2 Esports vs FURIA [Friday, June 27th - 12 pm PT / 9 pm CET]
• Bilibili Gaming vs GAM Esports [Friday, June 27th - 5 pm PT / 2 am CET]

Bracket Stage Draw

The Bracket Stage draw will take place immediately after the conclusion of the Play-In Stage on June 29th. This draw will match teams according to tiers, which are based on each region's standings at First Stand 2025. The tiers ahead of the Bracket Stage draw will look like this:

• Tier 1: Gen.G & Movistar KOI
• Tier 2: Anyone's Legend & CTBC Flying Oyster
• Tier 3: FlyQuest & T1
• Tier 4: The two teams qualified from the Play-In Stage

Note: Teams from the same region must be placed on opposite sides of the bracket.

If you would like to attend the event in person at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, make sure to check out our complete guide to MSI 2025 tickets and venue.

New MSI HUD!

Just like First Stand did earlier in the year, MSI 2025 will use a new and improved HUD aimed at improving viewer experience. Though it will be similar to the one used at the first international tournament of the year, this new HUD will offer an improved layout to ensure that all important information is immediately apparent on-screen.

A look at the new and improved HUD to debut at MSI 2025. (Credit: Riot Games)

MSI 2025 Drops

By catching the MSI action live, you will have the chance to earn exclusive drops like emotes and 2025 Esports Capsules! Here's the list of drops that will be on the line:

• Opening day: "I didn't start the fire!" Emote
• Start of Bracket Stage: “Casual Flex” Emote
• Upper Bracket Finals: “Always Hip” Emote
• Final day of Bracket Stage: “ONWARD!” Emote
• Finals Day:
  • “POWERPLAY!” Emote
  • “All Wrapped Up” Emote
  • “FED.”Emote
• 2025 Esports Capsules will drop live during special occurrences such as Pentakills, Baron steals, Dragon steals, Atakhan steals, and Silver Scrapes moments (Game 5 of a series)

To be eligible to earn these rewards, watch MSI 2025 games live on the LoLEsports website while logged in with your Riot ID!

Earn emotes by watching MSI 2025 live on the LoLEsports website! (Credit: Riot Games)

Where to Watch

The start of MSI 2025 is just around the corner, and you will not want to miss the very best League of Legends teams in the world go toe-to-toe on the international stage once more. You can catch the MSI games live on the official Riot Games event Twitch and YouTube channels, or on the LoLEsports website itself.

If you'd like to watch the games along with your favorite streamers instead, more than 75 co-streamers will also follow MSI on their respective channels.

Whichever way you wish to tune in to the action, make sure you are there when MSI 2025 kicks off on Friday, June 27th!

Under the slogan of "Ignite the Fire Within", MSI is back to deliver top-tier League of Legends to our screens! (Credit: Riot Games)

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest League news and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

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