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League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2023 is one of the most entertaining tournaments to watch and is the first international competition of the new season. After changing the format this year, Riot Games decided to increase the number of teams participating in MSI 2023 from 11 to 13. While the four major regions of Korea, China, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and North America send two representatives each, the other regions send one team to the tournament.
Notably, this year, MSI 2023 will have two stages – Play-In Stage and Bracket Stage – with each featuring a double-elimination format. The Play-In Stage of the tournament is kicking off 2nd May and is scheduled to conclude on 7th May.
Here’s all you need to know about MSI 2023’s Play-In stage, the teams participating, the format, and the schedule for the games.
A Guide to MSI 2023 Play-In Stage
MSI 2023 is organized between the first and second splits of all regions, with the exception of EMEA, where it's between the second and third split due to the region having a new Winter split at the start of the competitive season. The champions of each competitive region as well as the runner-ups of the major regions compete for the MSI title.
Format
A total of 13 teams are invited
However, eight teams participate in the Play-In Stage, split into two groups of four teams
Teams are drawn into two double-elimination brackets
Bracket matches are best-of-three (BO3)
Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) match is a best-of-five (BO5) series.
Winners of each group and the winner of the LCQ match between the lower bracket winners advance to Stage 2
Teams in MSI 2023 Play-In Stage
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 following are the teams participating in MSI 2023 Play-In stage and their respective groups:
Schedule for Play-In Stage
The Play-In Stage of MSI this year kicks off on 2nd May and is set to conclude on 7th May. Out of the eight teams in this stage, only three teams advance to the Bracket Stage of the tournament.
In Group A, Bilibili Gaming will face Movistar R7 and Golden Guardians will take on GAM Esports. In Group B, G2 Esports will go head to head against LOUD, while PSG Talon will fight DetonatioN FocusMe.
The two winners of the upper bracket automatically qualify for the bracket stage. The two final contenders in the loser’s bracket compete against each other in the LCQ to lock in the third and final ticket to the bracket stage.
2nd May: Play-In Day 1
3rd May: Play-In Day 2
4th May: Play-In Day 3
5th May: Play-In Day 4
6th May: Play-In Day 5
7th May: Play-In Day 6
The Bracket Stage of MSI 2023 will start on 9th May after a day's break on 8th May (Monday).
Where to watch MSI 2023?
Fans can watch MSI 2023 live on the official Riot Games Twitch and YouTube channels once the tournament kicks off on 2nd May. You can also check out the games as video on demand (VODs) on the LoL Esports VODs and Highlights channel.
