League esports in 2027: First Stand to China, Worlds to Japan and Korea
Riot's first look at 2027: a one-time First Stand: All In in China, MSI in Valencia, and a Worlds split between Nagoya and South Korea. Formats and dates follow, starting in January.
Riot published its first look at the 2027 international calendar on November 13, a day before the Worlds 2026 final. This is the short version. First Stand gets a one-time expanded edition and moves to China. MSI goes to Valencia. Worlds 2027 is split between Japan and South Korea. First Stand's Southeast Asia debut moves to 2028. Formats, qualification and most dates are still to come.
First Stand: All In, in China
First Stand opens the 2027 international calendar. This time it becomes "First Stand: All In", which Riot calls "a one-time event" and a major expansion of the tournament. Riot had already said First Stand 2027 would be played in Southeast Asia. It has now moved the event to China.
Riot says the expanded event "will also impact how Split 1 looks across our regional leagues". It has not said how. The format, how teams qualify and the event details are due in January. No host city or dates were given.
MSI 2027: Valencia, Spain
The Mid-Season Invitational will be held at the Feria de Valencia in Valencia, Spain. Riot says MSI has never been held there before. Dates and ticket information are promised "in the coming months".
Worlds 2027: Japan, then South Korea
Worlds 2027 is split between two countries:
- Swiss Stage: Nagoya, Japan. It is the first time Japan has hosted part of the World Championship.
- Quarterfinals and semifinals: Suwon Convention Center, Suwon, South Korea.
- Final: Seoul Arena, Seoul, South Korea.
So the whole Knockout Stage is played in South Korea. No dates were announced.
Riot is also looking at changing the Play-In. After this year's Demacia Cup, it is evaluating whether that tournament "could replace the traditional Worlds Play-In Stage in 2027". Riot says doing so could bring in more best-of series. It says no decision has been made.
First Stand 2028: Southeast Asia
The Southeast Asia First Stand that was taken off the 2027 calendar now happens a year later. First Stand will be played in Southeast Asia in 2028, in its usual format. It will be the first time the event is held in the region. No host city, venue or dates have been named.
What is still to come
- First Stand: All In's format, qualification and dates, due in January.
- MSI 2027 dates and tickets.
- Worlds 2027 dates, and whether the Demacia Cup replaces the Play-In.
- 2027 formats and schedules for each regional league, including how Split 1 changes. Riot says the leagues will share these "soon".
Worlds 2026 ends first. Gen.G and Bilibili Gaming play the best-of-five final on Saturday, November 14, at 2:00 PM ET. The schedule and bracket are on Lolumen's League esports page, with results hidden until you choose to show them.