Cover-Credits:
The start of the competitive season in League of Legends esports is always exciting. Not only do fans witness the new rosters that took shape in the off-season, but also see how their teams fare in the opening splits of their respective regions in the run-up to the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). The 2023 League of Legends esports season kicked off with the Spring Split in the regions of North America, China, and South Korea, whereas Europe, Middle East, and Africa played the inaugural Winter Split. For the first time, MSI will feature two teams from major League of Legends esports regions.
Riot Games announced that the MSI 2023 will be played in London this year and the tournament will take place in May. A total of 13 teams from around the world will participate in the first international League of Legends tournament of the year, noted Riot Games.
Between 2nd May and 21st May, the 13 qualified teams will take to the global stage at the Copper Box Arena, located in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. “Defy” is the theme for MSI 2023.
MSI 2023 Seeding and Format
The MSI 2023 will set the tone for the rest of the year and shall give the audience a glimpse of what can be expected in the World Championship later in the year. “MSI is all about showcasing regional strength midway through the season. It’s the first step toward greatness, pushing beyond limits and showing up with a spirit of defiance,” noted Riot Games.
For the first time, the MSI 2023 will feature two double-elimination stages: the Play-In Stage and the Bracket Stage. This will give regions more opportunities “to defy all odds”, noted Riot Games.
Here is the breakdown of slots for MSI 2023:
League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK): 2 teams
League of Legends Championship Series (LCS): 2 teams
League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC): 2 teams
League of Legends Pro League (LPL): 2 teams (China)
The Liga Latinoamérica (LLA): 1 team (Latin America)
Campeonato Brasileiro de League of Legends (CBLOL): 1 team (Brazil)
Pacific Championship Series (PCS): 1 team (South Asia)
Vietnam Championship Series (VCS): 1 team
League of Legends Japan League (LJL): 1 team
The tournament will be split into two stages: the Play-In Stage and the Bracket Stage.
While the first seeds of the LCK, LCS, LEC, and LPL will start with a bye directly to the Bracket Stage, the second seed of the LCK will also get a bye since the LCK are the reigning World champions. Notably, the remaining eight teams will start in the Play-In Stage.
Teams qualified for MSI 2023
LEC
1. MAD Lions
After winning the LEC 2023 Spring Split finals against Team BDS with a reverse sweep series, MAD Lions will be the number one EMEA seed at MSI 2023. The team will directly play in the playoffs of MSI.
According to the new LEC format, the team that wins the Winter Split will attend MSI as the second seed, while the Spring Split champion will represent EMEA as the first seed.
2. G2 Esports
The first team to qualify for the MSI 2023 is the LEC 2023 Winter Split champion G2 Esports. G2 Esports obliterated MAD Lions in the inaugural LEC Winter Split finals with a 3-0 score to lock in its MSI 2023 slot. However, after getting eliminated from the LEC Spring Split, G2 Esports will be placed in the MSI 2023 Play-in stage.
LCS
1. Cloud 9
After qualifying for the grand finals of the LCS 2023 Spring Playoffs, Cloud9 received a guaranteed spot at the MSI 2023. However, after defeating Golden Guardians in the finals of LCS 2023 Spring Playoffs, the team is going to the international tournament as the first seed and will directly play in the Bracket stage.
2. Golden Guardians
After defeating FlyQuest in the LCS 2023 Spring Playoffs in the semifinals, Golden Guardians secured a slot in the Spring Finals as well as a guaranteed MSI 2023 spot. However, after losing the final match to Cloud9, Golden Guardians will be North America's second seed at MSI 2023 and participate in the Play-In stage.
LCK
1. T1
After beating Gen.G in the upper bracket match of LCK 2023 Spring Playoffs, T1 has punched a ticket to the finals of the league and a confirmed slot at MSI 2023 as the first LCK representative.
2. Gen.G
Gen.G is the second LCK team that will attend the MSI 2023 in London. In the LCK 2023 Spring Playoffs Round 4, Gen.G defeated KT Rolster and secured the slot.
LPL
1. JD Gaming (JDG)
JDG was the first team from China to lock in a slot at MSI 2023 after qualifying for the LPL 2023 Spring Finals. After defeating Bilibili Gaming (BLG) in the final match of LPL Spring, JDG will directly play in the bracket stage of MSI.
2. Bilibili Gaming (BLG)
After defeating EDward Gaming (EDG) in the LPL 2023 Spring Playoffs Semi-finals, Bilibili Gaming (BLG) also secured a slot at MSI 2023. Although, after losing to JDG in the Spring Finals, BLG will start MSI 2023 in the Play-In stage.
PCS
PSG Talon
After defeating Frank Esports with a 3-0 scoreline the finals of PCS 2023 Spring Playoffs, PSG Talon will be attending MSI 2023 at London.
LLA
Movistar R7
After winning the LLA 2023 Opening Playoffs, Latin America's Movistar R7 will be the sole representative at the mid-season international tournament.
LJL
DetonatioN FocusMe (DFM)
DFM will once again represent Japan at this year's MSI. After winning the Spring Split of LJL, DFM secured its slot.
CBLOL
LOUD
LOUD won the CBLOL 2023 Split 1 and qualified for MSI 2023. The team will be flying to London to participate in the tournament.
VCS
GAM Esports
By way of winning the VCS 2023 Spring Season by defeating SBTC Esports in the grand final with a 3-1 score, GAM Esports locked in its MSI 2023 spot and will be participating in the Play-in stage of the tournament.
Here's a concise table for a quick look at where each one of these teams are from and which stage they will be playing in:
The article will be updated with the other teams that qualify for MSI 2023.
