If you want to root for a US team, there are three at Worlds this year, representing the League Championship Series (LCS): 100 Thieves, which just won the 2021 LCS Championship, Team Liquid, a consistent powerhouse in the LCS, and Cloud9, one of the most storied teams in the league. There are big dogs and underdogs, and you might decide to root for a team based on their name, their logo, or because you think one player is exciting to watch. Like any sport, that’s not an easy question to answer. For a slightly deeper dive, I recommend ESPN’s written article and video. For a short video explainer with more detail, check out Riot’s introductory video made for last year’s tournament. I’m glossing over a lot of what happens in a typical League of Legends match, but that’s the gist of it. Over the course of a game, which typically lasts about 30-45 minutes, players will level up, earn in-game money to buy items, skirmish against the enemy team, and, eventually, attack the Nexus. The bases are guarded by turrets that shoot powerful magic energy, auto-spawning soldier units that march toward the other team’s base, and, of course, the enemy team.
Players can’t just walk in and whack on their opponent’s Nexus from the beginning of the game, though.
The goal of a game is for one team to break into the other team’s base and destroy a giant crystal, called the Nexus. Each champion is controlled by one player, and each has different abilities. It’s a strategy game pitting two teams of five “champions” against each other. Here is a very basic explanation of League of Legends. The event was originally going to take place in China, but League of Legends developer Riot Games had to move the location in the 11th hour due to travel restrictions and COVID protocols. No fans will be in attendance at the matches themselves due to COVID-19 restrictions. The location means that if you’re in the US, games might take place in the morning or early afternoon. This year, Worlds takes place in Reykjavík, Iceland, at the Laugardalshöll indoor sporting arena. Think of it sort of like the Champions League in soccer all year long, teams compete locally for the chance to face off against the best from other regions. Teams from around the globe have qualified for the event after having successful seasons in their local leagues. Worlds is the concluding tournament in the League of Legends esports year. If you want to learn more about the game - or are a longtime fan who just wants to know more about Worlds before it starts - we’ve put together this primer for you. This time of year is one of the best times to jump in, though, as you get to see the best teams at their peak. While Worlds is one of the biggest esports competitions on the planet, League of Legends isn’t exactly the easiest game to start watching. The 2021 League of Legends World Championship (aka Worlds) kicks off tomorrow, October 5th, marking the beginning of a month-long tournament where 22 of the best League of Legends teams will face off to take home the Summoner’s Cup.