Following a strong debut last year, League of Legends returns to the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 this week. T1 secured the inaugural LoL EWC title with a commanding performance. Can they retain their crown? Will we see a new winner emerge? Our 2025 EWC LoL betting guide fully explains what to expect from this year’s tournament.
The second edition of the League of Legends EWC 2025 runs from July 16–20 at the STC Esports Arena in Riyadh. Twelve leading teams will face off in a revised format, moving away from last year’s single-elimination structure. Eight teams will fight through the Group Stage under the expanded roster, while four earn direct entry to the Playoffs.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | League of Legends, Esports World Cup 2025 |
| 🧾 Format: | S-tier LAN tournament with 12 teams and a few stages |
| 🎮 Venue: | STC Esports Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| 🗓️ Dates: | Wednesday, July 16 – Sunday, July 20, 2025 |
The 2025 League of Legends Esports World Cup begins with the Group Stage from July 16–17. Eight teams will compete in the first phase of this tournament. Each group includes four teams, playing in a best-of-one (Bo1) format for a playoff spot. The top two from each group advance, joining four MSI 2025 teams in the playoffs.
The Playoffs, held from July 18–20, feature eight teams in a single-elimination bracket. Unlike the Bo1 group matches, playoff matches will be best-of-three (Bo3), with a best-of-five (Bo5) Grand Final.
The tournament boasts a $2,000,000 prize pool distributed based on final standings. The winning team will claim $600,000, while the runner-up secures $320,000. Even the lowest-ranked teams (11th and 12th) are guaranteed $50,000 each.
LoL Esports World Cup 2025 odds for this tournament are now available on all Esports World Cup bookmakers. This section takes a closer look at the top five LoL teams heading to Saudi Arabia:
Gen.G enters the Esports World Cup 2025 as the world’s most in-form LoL team. Since losing to Hanwha Life Esports in February’s LCK Cup final, they’ve gone unbeaten in 23 straight series. Their dominance includes a perfect LCK 2025 season and a commanding MSI campaign. They won both tournaments thanks to their disciplined play style, exceptional map control, and team synergy. Interestingly, Gen.G defeated T1 in the final of the Mid-Season Invitational, a clear sign that they can beat the top sides in this tournament. Based on their current momentum and consistency, the Korean giants are clear favorites to lift the EWC 2025 title.
T1 may have fallen short in the MSI final, but they remain among the 2025 EWC LoL favorites. They had a rocky start to 2025, marked by roster uncertainty and inconsistent form, especially in the ADC position. However, they rebounded strongly during the LCK Road to MSI after beating Hanwha Life 3-0. At MSI, they pushed Gen.G to the limit in a tight final showdown. Now, T1 heads to Saudi Arabia with lots of confidence. As defending Esports World Cup champions, they will be keen to make it two consecutive title wins.
Anyone’s Legend has been impressive this year, following strong showings at the LPL Split 1 and Split 2 events in 2025. They placed second in Split 1 this January before claiming the championship in Split 2 this March. Building on that momentum, they reached the semifinals of the Mid-Season Invitational last month. With improved consistency in the later stages of this tournament, AG.AL could very well claim this title. However, much would depend on the performances of Kael, Hope, Shanks, and Tabe.
Hanwha Life Esports has shone brightly in 2025, winning both the LCK Cup and First Stand. Though they placed third in the LCK Road to MSI, they remain a dangerous contender. Missing MSI allowed time for growth, and now they aim to reclaim their momentum. With Zeus and Zeka dominating solo lanes and smart drafts, HLE can be lethal. Hanwha has the tools to go all the way in Riyadh if they maintain discipline.
Bilibili Gaming has had a solid 2025, finishing fourth twice and reaching the LPL Split 2 final. They earned that finals spot with a key win over Invictus Gaming, posting a 71% win rate en route. Though they placed fourth at MSI, BLG remains a threat with depth and experience. Beichuan is developing steadily, and Elk remains a top-tier ADC. Fueled by redemption, BLG could surprise many at the Esports World Cup.
Here are our EWC 2025 LoL betting tips:
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After a remarkable run this year, Gen.G sits at the top of the global League of Legends rankings. Winning titles is impressive, but a streak of 23 consecutive best-of series victories sets them apart. Gen. G will confidently approach this tournament with their roster unchanged and back-to-back triumphs in the LCK Spring Split and MSI 2025. Notably, their flawless 18–0 record in the LCK Spring and a dominant MSI campaign highlight their unmatched form. Having placed no lower than second in any 2025 competition, Gen.G arrives at EWC 2025 as clear favorites. Their odds to win LoL Esports World Cup 2025 are currently 2.00 (1/1) on the best LoL betting options.
2 (100%)
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FlyQuest holds the edge over Cloud9 as they currently occupy the 8th position in the LoL team ranking. This is eight spots higher than their opponent. They’ve also won their last three straight meetings with Cloud9. This includes a crucial 3-2 LTA North 2025 Split 2 Grand Final victory and a dominant group-stage sweep. These results underline FlyQuest’s superiority in key matchups, positioning them as strong favorites in this tournament opener against Cloud9.
1 (50%)
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T1 returns to EWC 2025 as defending champions, having won the inaugural title in 2024. Despite a rocky start this season after finishing sixth at the LCK Cup, they’ve found renewed form. Roster stability returned during the LCK Spring Split, with Gumayusi and Faker leading the charge. They posted a 15-3 record and reached the finals of LCK Spring and MSI 2025. Though they narrowly lost to Gen.G at MSI, T1 proved they’re still elite contenders. With momentum regained, another deep tournament run and a possible final appearance look well within reach.
Here are our 2025 League of Legends EWC tips:
Flawless title-winning performance and unbeaten streak make Gen.G Esports the top favorite to win in Saudi Arabia. Ensure you leverage our tips to stake on the tournament winner and win extra cash.
