League of Legends Worlds 2021 Seeding Update

With the conclusion of the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational in Reykjavik, Iceland, the implications of this tournament can be felt by all regions aiming to participate in the 2021 World Championship in the fall.  Starting in 2020, Riot games introduced a way for regions to obtain an additional seed in the World Championship. 

This year, the winning team at MSI secured an additional seed, meaning that Royal Never Give Up have effectively given the LPL a fourth slot for teams to qualify for.  If the same format is repeated, the top three LPL teams will be placed directly into the Group Stage while the fourth-place team will have to compete in the Play-In Stage in the World Championship.

In addition, the second and final region to be granted another seed is determined by the international competitiveness of the region’s representatives over a two year period.  The better a regions’ team places in tournaments such as Rift Rivals, Demacia Cup, MSI and previous years’ World Championships, the better odds the region will have in obtaining another seed. 

The teams from the LCK, with a 2019 MSI semifinal appearance, 3 quarterfinal appearances in the 2020 World Championship, and now a finals appearance in the 2021 MSI, are looking like the prime contender to receive an additional fourth seed in the upcoming Worlds tournament.