Editors note: This article has been updated to include confirmed information about Worlds 2021.
On Sept. 9, 2021, Riot Games confirmed that the 2021 League of Legends World Championship will take place from Oct. 5 to Nov. 6 at the Laugardalshöll indoor sporting arena in ReykjavÃk, Iceland. The island country was also host to the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational and the VALORANT Champions Tour Masters ReykjavÃk tournament earlier this year.
- Play-Ins: Oct. 5-9
- Groups: Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 15-18
- Quarterfinals: Oct. 22-25
- Semifinals: Oct. 30-31
- Finals: Nov. 6
During Play-Ins and the Group Stage, matches will begin at approximately 8 a.m. EST. Matches from Quarterfinals onwards will begin at approx. 9 a.m. EST.
Riot Games recently confirmed that it is changing the host county from China to Europe due to the country’s increased COVID-19 restrictions in response to the Delta variant. There was initial speculation between Iceland and the European league’s Berlin studio, which hosts the League of Legends European Championship, as well as Verti Music Hall, where the VCT Masters 3: Berlin tournament will soon take place. Worlds has previously been held in numerous cities inside its host country before culminating in one venue for the grand finals.
In terms of COVID-19 procedures for the event, previous Riot international LAN events created a bubble system to insulate players, coaches and staff from the virus with regular testing and strict protocols. Fans were not allowed in-person at VCT Masters ReykjavÃk or this year’s Mid-Season Invitational, but a small group of fans attended the 2020 League of Legends World Championships grand finals, held in Pudong Football Stadium in Shanghai.
The developer currently boasts zero infections at each of its previous marque international events. It has a history of maintaining strict protocols in the face of COVID-19, in relation to its bigger international events and regional leagues.
