T1 are through to EWC 2025 even if they bomb out of the LCK or MSI.
Superstar Korean squad T1 has received a direct invite to the Esports World Cup (EWC) League of Legends (LoL) tournament in July, as EWC organizers revealed more details about the event today.
A total of 12 teams will converge on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a shot at the lion's share of $2 million USD. EWC LoL will take place just four days after the Mid-Season Invitational (MDI) concludes in Vancouver, with the top four at the Canadian tournament getting direct tickets to the EWC playoffs.
Related articles
Prize pool, format revealed for second EWC LoL event
EWC organizers shared the LoL tournament details on March 17 with reigning champions T1 not needing to qualify for the Saudi Arabian event.
The top four teams at MSI will be straight through to the single-elimination playoff bracket. The remaining eight invites will battle through a GSL-style double-elimination group stage. The top two from each group will make up the eight-team playoffs.
The group stage slot distribution is as follows:
- T1 (direct invite).
- Top 2 from the LCK Road to MSI.
- Top 2 from the LPL Split 2 Playoffs.
- Top 2 from the LEC Split 2 Playoffs.
- Top 2 from the LTA North Split 2 Playoffs.
- Winner from the LTA South Split 2 Playoffs.
- Top 2 from the LCP Mid-Season Qualifying Series.
EWC LoL 2025 will be squeezed into five days with the end of the GSL groups and the playoff quarterfinals played on the same day. Championship Sunday on July 20 will include the grand final.
T1 took out the inaugural EWC LoL event over LPL squad Top Esports 3-1. Last year's EWC LoL event was far from fleshed out — eight attendees played a single-elimination bracket over four days. Nevertheless, their win there sees them return to Riyadh regardless of their performance in League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) ahead of MSI.
It hasn't been confirmed whether the group stage matches will be best-of-three (Bo3) or if best-of-one (Bo1) matches will be used. Given that eight matches are slated for opening day, multiple streams would be necessary regardless of the decision.
The $2 million EWC LoL 2025 event kicks off July 16. For more LoL news and coverage stay tuned to esports.gg.
