League of Legends Worlds 2024: Team previews and preparing your bets

League of Legends World Championship – tournament information

The tournament will take place between September 25 and November 2. Matches will primarily take place over weekends, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the high-stakes action without weekday distractions.

• Play-in stage: September 25 – 29
• Swiss stage: October 3 - 7 and October 10 - 13
• Knockout stage: October 17 – 20 (quarterfinals) and October 26 – 27 (semifinals)
• Grand finals: November 2

The tournament is divided into three key stages:

1. Play-in stage: Eight teams battle for four spots in the Swiss stage.
2. Swiss stage: 16 teams (including the four from play-ins) compete, with the top eight advancing to the knockout stage.
3. Knockout stage: A single-elimination bracket culminating in the grand finals.

New this year: Teams will not face rematches against previous opponents in the Swiss stage, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to the competition.

Analyzing the teams from major regions competing at Worlds 2024

The LPL (China) and LCK (South Korea) remain strong favorites, sending four teams each, with eight teams starting from the Swiss stage. However, unlike last year's near "Golden Road" run by JD Gaming (JDG), no team has established clear dominance in 2024. Bilibili Gaming’s loss to Gen.G at MSI, followed by Gen.G’s loss to Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) in the LCK Summer 2024, leaves the field more open than ever. Let’s take a closer look at the top teams from each major region.

LPL (2.130*): BLG’s quest for history and dark horses on the rise

Bilibili Gaming (BLG) (3.220*) is the LPL first seed. Despite falling to Gen.G in the MSI Finals, BLG remains the top contender from the LPL, led by mid-laner Zhuo "knight" Ding, who has just secured his fourth consecutive LPL title. He’s eyeing the World Championship to cement his legacy and achieve a career “Grand Slam”. BLG could make history as the first fully Chinese roster to win Worlds.

LNG Esports (LNG) (8.040*), who is one of the two teams to beat BLG this LPL season, faces uncertainty heading into Worlds 2024. Its mid-laner, former World Champion Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, is entangled in legal issues, and his participation in the tournament remains uncertain. This creates suspense around LNG's performance at Worlds, as his presence is crucial for the team's success on the international stage.

TOP Esports (TES) (6.220*) also proved its international strength by defeating Gen.G at the Esports World Cup. Also keep an eye on Weibo Gaming (WBG) (11.640*), the 2023 Worlds runner-up and an underdog not to be underestimated.

LCK (1.653*): The region to watch at Worlds 2024

The LCK has claimed the Summoner’s Cup for two consecutive years, but the league’s dominance has been tested by the LPL. In Worlds 2023, all four LPL teams reached the knockout stage, and T1 was the only LCK representative in the semifinals.

This year, Gen.G (3.110*) remains a formidable contender despite its unexpected loss to HLE in the LCK Summer 2024 Finals. With mid-laner Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon and former World Champion jungler Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu, Gen.G is eager to prove itself on the global stage.

HLE (4.010*), now bolstered by mid-laner Kim "Zeka" Geon-woo and ad carry Park "Viper" Do-hyeon, who both have World Champion titles, ended Gen.G’s LCK dominance and looks ready to take on the LPL teams at Worlds 2024. It is a serious threat for the title with its newly revamped roster and strong domestic showing.

Dplus KIA (DK) (18.770*) secured its spot as the LCK's third seed for Worlds 2024 after defeating the reigning World Champion T1 in the LCK Regional Finals. Its rising star, jungler Choi "Lucid" Yong-hyeok, impressed in his debut season, displaying strong synergy with veteran mid-laner Heo "ShowMaker" Su, a former World Champion. With this new roster combination, DK is a team to watch as it aims to make a deep run in this year’s tournament.

T1 (7.830*), the reigning World Champion from LCK, returns to Worlds 2024 with the same roster as last year. Despite a subpar performance this summer, it narrowly secured its spot at Worlds. T1’s mid-laner, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, struggled with the AD marksman mid-meta, but the upcoming Worlds patch will favor mage champions, potentially benefiting “Faker”. As one of LPL’s biggest rivals in Worlds history, “Faker” seeks his fifth Worlds title, aiming to add another chapter to his legendary career.

LEC (25.410*): Europe's hopes for Worlds 2024

G2 Esports (G2) (25.910*), the LEC’s first seed, continues its reign with six consecutive LEC titles. After a clean 3-0 sweep against TES at MSI 2024, G2 looks strong on the international stage, eager to overcome last year’s Swiss stage exit.

Fnatic (FNC) (45.520*), the LEC's second seed, narrowly missed dethroning G2 in 2024. However, back-to-back losses to Team Liquid at MSI and the Esports World Cup raised questions about the team’s international form.

MAD Lions KOI (MAD) (90.050*), the third seed, struggled in LEC Summer but secured a Worlds spot after defeating G2. Starting from the play-ins, MAD is aiming for the Swiss stage.

LCS (32.510*): Last Worlds run in the name of “LCS”

As the LCS prepares to undergo a major restructuring in 2025, Worlds 2024 marks the final chapter under the iconic LCS banner. With Cloud9 missing out on its Worlds spot, the three LCS representatives present interesting prospects.

FlyQuest (FLY) (36.610*), the LCS Summer champions, had a dramatic win over Team Liquid (TL) in the Finals, earning it the first seed.

TL (36.280*), with seasoned World champions Jeong "Impact" Eon-young and Jo "CoreJJ" Yong-in, boasts significant international experience and could be a real threat in the Swiss stage.

100 Thieves (100T) (90.050*), the third seed, knocked out Cloud9 and will likely shine in the play-ins, and is aiming to progress to the Swiss stage.

Betting insights and strategies:

With no clear frontrunner, the betting markets are more enticing and challenging than ever. Here are key factors to consider before placing your bets:

• Team form and momentum: Recent performances are crucial. Teams peaking at the right time can outperform expectations.
• Meta adaptation: Worlds 2024 will feature Patch 14.18, with nerfs to marksmen mid-laners and AP junglers, while buffing mage mid-laners and AD junglers. Teams that adapt quickly to these changes will gain a significant edge in the tournament, as shifting to fit the meta and employing innovative strategies could be the key to victory.
• Experience under pressure: Unlike domestic leagues, Worlds features a tight schedule, challenging teams to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment. Teams with a history of international play often handle the high-pressure environment better.
• Favor the LPL and LCK teams: Historically, these regions have dominated Worlds. Betting on their top seeds is a safer play.
• Consider the underdogs: With the field wide open, this could be the year an underdog makes a deep run. Teams like G2 Esports or Weibo Gaming might offer attractive odds for risk-tolerant bettors.

If you’re new to League of Legends betting, make sure to check out our beginner’s guide to help you understand the basics.

Ready to start your journey with League of Legends Worlds 2024?

The League of Legends Worlds 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting tournaments in recent memory. With traditional powerhouses showing vulnerabilities and emerging teams ready to seize the moment, the race for the Summoner’s Cup is wide open.

For bettors, this presents a golden opportunity to find value in the markets. Whether you back a perennial favorite or take a chance on an underdog, make sure to consider the factors that could influence this year's outcomes.

Stay tuned for more updates and the best odds on Pinnacle as we approach the kickoff of Worlds 2024. Good luck and may the best team triumph!

*Odds are subject to change