Riot Games Announces Korea-Japan Co-Hosting for 2027 League of Legends Worlds

Korea has played an indispensable role in the history of LoL eSports, and I am thrilled to present the most important moments of the 2027 World Championship back in Korea, said Chris Greeley, Head of LoL eSports.

Riot Games announced detailed hosting locations and operational plans for three international League of Legends eSports tournaments scheduled for next year through the 2026 LoL Showcase held in New York, The Korea Daily reported. The 17-year history of the League of Legends World Championship will reach a milestone in 2027 by featuring the first-ever co-hosting arrangement between South Korea and Japan.

South Korea has previously hosted the Worlds finals three times as a single host nation. Those matches took place at the Seoul Sangam World Cup Stadium in 2014, the Incheon Munhak Stadium in 2018, and the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome in 2023.

Tournament schedule across Nagoya, Suwon, and Seoul

The tournament structure divides matches between Japanese and South Korean venues. The Swiss Stage will open in Nagoya, Japan, marking the first time the country has hosted the main stage of the tournament.

Once quarterfinalists advance from Nagoya, teams will travel to South Korea. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi Province.

The final match will unfold at Seoul Arena, a specialized performance hall currently under construction in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul. This event marks the first time domestic fans will witness the crowning of the Summoner’s Cup on home soil since 2023.

Global adjustments for 2027 international events

The annual international tournament calendar also features changes outside of the World Championship. The season-opening First Stand tournament, established in 2025, will run under a scaled-up format named First Stand: All In for 2027.