Now it’s really happening: the start of the final phase of the Worlds is very close, and after a Play-In that has left a lot to talk about, the best League of Legends competition of the year will officially continue. Sixteen teams will clash on Summoner’s Rift for the most sought-after trophy by the best teams in the world, starting with the first BO1 matches of the competition this Thursday.
In 2023, Riot Games introduced a new format for the most prestigious competition in the entire competitive circuit, and the truth is that it worked quite well. Since this new Swiss format is neither simple to understand nor explain, we will try to clarify how the bracket works, the format, and what teams need to secure a spot directly in the Finals. Below, we’ll elaborate a bit more, but basically, teams that reach three wins will advance to the finals, while those that reach three losses will be eliminated.
Here’s how the Swiss format of the LoL Worlds works
The World Championship kicked off, featuring the first eight BO1 matches of the tournament. MAD Lions vs. KOI. After the initial one-off duels, we will experience another similar day, with up to eight matches that will again be BO1. On this second day, the teams with a 1-0 record will face each other, and similarly, those with a 0-1 record will also compete against each other. In other words, the teams that won on the first day will face off in one part of the bracket, while the teams that lost will meet in another.
After the first two days, we will have four teams at 2-0, eight teams at 1-1, and four teams at 0-2. Depending on the results, they will play on different days. On Saturday, we will have the first BO3 series, as the four organizations at 2-0 will compete to see which two will be the first to qualify for the quarterfinals. The two teams that finish the Swiss phase with a 3-0 record will receive the best seed for the knockout stage, while the two teams that end with a 2-1 record will continue in this Swiss phase, seeking the third win that would qualify them directly.
On the following day, Sunday, we will have the last BO1 matches of the tournament. Those teams that are 1-1 will fight for another victory to reach 2-1, putting them one step away from the quarterfinals, while those that lose and fall to 1-2 will be one elimination away from being completely eliminated from the Worlds.
On Monday, we will find out the first teams eliminated from the Worlds, as those teams with a 0-2 record after the first two days will have to fight for their survival. If they reach three losses, they are eliminated, while those with a 1-2 record will still be in the running.”
After Monday, there will be a short break until the following Thursday, when again those teams at 1-2 will play for survival, while those at 2-1 will seek qualification. On the last day, those with a 2-2 record will have to battle each other to see who reaches three victories, which, as mentioned above, secures a spot in the BO5 knockout stage.
