The League of Legends Worlds 2024 Play-In stage has officially begun! This marks the start of an intense competition, with eight teams vying for a chance to proceed to the Swiss stage and continue their journey toward the prestigious Summoner’s Cup.
Taking place in Berlin, these teams must navigate a high-stakes battle, as any mistake could send them home early, while success grants them a shot at glory.
This year’s Worlds is set across Europe, featuring 20 teams in total. The competition is split into three main stages: Play-In, Swiss, and Knockouts. As teams from various leagues conclude their seasonal splits, the best performers secure their positions in this epic tournament.
However, only 8 teams will compete in the Play-In stage, starting in 2 double-elimination brackets, where all matches are best-of-three. The two teams that manage to go 2-0 in their brackets will earn a coveted spot in the Swiss stage, which represents the next level of competition.
Teams that are on a 1-1 record will face off against each other in the lower bracket, but no early rematches are allowed, making every matchup unique and critical.
The teams competing in this year’s Play-In are drawn from multiple regions, including Europe’s LEC and North America’s LCS. These teams will give everything they’ve got to claim one of the two Swiss stage spots.
Here is a list of the teams that have secured their spots in the Play-In stage for Worlds 2024.
| Qualification | Team(s) |
|---|---|
| LEC Summer (third seed) | MAD Lions KOI |
| LCS Summer (third seed) | 100 Thieves |
| PCS Summer (champion, runner-up) | PSG Talon Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS |
| VCS Summer (champion, runner-up) | GAM Esports Vikings Esports |
| CBLOL (champion) | paiN Gaming |
| LLA Closing (champion) | Movistar R7 |
Worlds 2024 Play-In Schedule and Results
The Play-Ins have a carefully structured format where each game is crucial, and early draws can significantly influence a team’s success. Here are the results and schedules for the opening round:
- Wednesday, Sept. 25
- 7 AM CT: MAD Lions KOI defeated Vikings Esports 2-0
- 10 AM CT: paiN Gaming vs PSG Talon
- Thursday, Sept. 26
- 7 AM CT: SoftBank HAWKS vs GAM Esports
- 10 AM CT: 100 Thieves vs Movistar R7
Each team will be fighting relentlessly to make it through to the Swiss stage, where the stakes will only rise. Fans can follow all the action live on YouTube, Twitch, and the Riot Games website. Replays of the games will also be available for those who miss the live action.
With Worlds 2024 building up toward its climax, the tournament promises to deliver even more excitement as teams fight for a place in the Grand Finals, set for November 2 at London’s O2 Arena.