MSI: What is MSI in League of Legends?
MSI, short for the Mid-Season Invitational, is one of the biggest events on the League of Legends competitive calendar. Run by Riot Games, this tournament is second only to Worlds in terms of prestige and viewership.
To qualify for MSI, a team must win the spring split in their respective regional league—like the LCS in North America or the LPL in China. This format has been in place since 2017.
MSI has been held annually since 2015, usually landing in late April or early May. The only year it didn’t take place was 2020, when the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Riot hosted an online event called the Mid-Season Streamathon that year.
When it comes to domination at MSI, few teams compare to China’s Royal Never Give Up—better known as RNG. They’ve taken home the trophy three times: once in 2018 and again back-to-back in 2021 and 2022. Their consistent success at this high level is a reflection of both mechanical skill and finely tuned in-game settings. If you’re aiming to improve your own performance, replicating some of those pro-level settings can be a good start.
Much like the regional leagues (LEC, LCS, LCK, LMS, and LPL), MSI draws huge crowds online, with hundreds of thousands tuning in via Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. The event itself moves around the globe, as the host city changes from year to year.
Is MSI the top tournament in League of Legends?
MSI is definitely one of the top-tier events in the LoL scene, but it doesn’t quite outrank the World Championship in terms of prestige. Worlds is held at the end of each competitive season and brings together the best-performing teams from around the globe to compete for the world title and a massive prize pool. While MSI is highly respected, it’s generally seen as a mid-year milestone rather than the ultimate achievement.
Where and when did MSI first happen?
The very first MSI took place in 2015 in Tallahassee, Florida. That debut tournament featured 14 teams from across the globe, representing regions like North America, Europe, China, and Korea. It was won by SK Telecom T1, one of Korea’s most iconic teams. Since then, MSI has grown into a staple event in the competitive League calendar.
Do only seasoned teams make it to MSI?
Not at all. While veteran organizations often show up due to their consistent performances, MSI also offers a stage for breakout teams. Sometimes newer rosters or orgs with rookie players make surprise runs, shaking up the tournament and proving that fresh talent can stand toe-to-toe with the pros.
What are some unforgettable MSI moments?
MSI has had its fair share of iconic and shocking moments over the years. A few that stand out include:
- In 2015, SK Telecom T1 made a stunning comeback against Fnatic after falling behind early.
- The 2016 MSI saw RNG toppling SKT in a nail-biting five-game series.
- In 2017, SKT pulled off a reverse sweep, coming back from 0-2 down to beat RNG.
- Fnatic made headlines in 2018 when they knocked out Kingzone DragonX in the semis before falling to RNG in the finals.
- In 2019, G2 Esports made history as the first European team to win MSI, defeating RNG in a thrilling five-game battle.
Has cheating ever been an issue at MSI?
Cheating is taken very seriously in professional esports, and Riot has strict measures in place to detect and prevent it. While there have been rare instances where players attempted to bend the rules, those caught usually face harsh consequences—ranging from disqualification to long-term bans. These actions help protect the integrity of the tournament and ensure a fair playing field for all competitors.