MEET THE TEAMS

TEAMS / REGIONS

CBLoL Brazil is one of the strongest of the former Wildcard regions. The Brazilian region is home to some of the most passionate fans in the world, and was also the setting for this year's 2017 Mid-Season Invitational. Brazilian teams have a storied history at Worlds, with KaBuM’s victory over Alliance at Worlds 2014 still holding true as one of the most iconic moments in Worlds history. paiN Gaming also won two games at Worlds 2015, and INTZ e-Sports upset Edward Gaming at Worlds 2016. Although teams in Brazil struggle to scrim against stronger regions due to their geographical location, the depth of popularity for esports continues to grow their infrastructure and shapes a bright future. TCL TEAMS CLS TEAMS

CLS Latin America South was originally created as a duo with Latin America North, and they both battled against each other for one spot in international events. It created strong rivalries between the two regions, similar that of North America and Europe. By 2016, both regions had grown to the point where they could be separated into two different championships, each earning their spot at international events. Latam South will often scrim with Brazilian teams, and develop similar playstyles, and due to its young age as a region will usually favor team fighting over a polished macro game. CBLoL TEAMS EU LCS TEAMS

EU LCS The European LCS has a tremendous history with the World Championship. It's one of two non-Korean regions to win a World Championship, with Fnatic taking our very first crown back in Season 1. EU LCS teams have made it to the Semifinals two years running, and were Finalists at this year’s Mid-Season Invitational. Though after a dismal performance at Rift Rivals, many were questioning the level of success they could hope to achieve. Was it indicative of their Worlds performance to come, or was it the wake up call the EU LCS needed? CLS TEAMS GPL TEAMS

GPL One of the most successful former Wildcard regions, the GPL has produced multiple Worlds qualifiers. It represents teams and leagues from all across Southeast Asia, who after conquering their domestic competition, come together to fight for the title of GPL Champion. While the difference between the GPL and other major regions has traditionally been large in terms of skill, the rise of Vietnam is slowly closing that gap. Not only did they take games off some of the best teams at the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational and earn themselves a Group Stage berth at Worlds with the GIGABYTES Marines, they also secured a second Vietnamese team in the competition through the GPL Regional Qualifier. This will be another chance for them to prove that they are opponents to be wary of, not just underdogs. EU LCS TEAMS LCK TEAMS

LCK The most dominant region in the competitive League of Legends landscape, Korea’s LCK has provided four of the six World Champion teams. The region's the pinnacle of mastery in League of Legends, with all other regions looking to them as vanguards of the meta and macro play. Whether the rest of the world likes it or not, it is highly likely that there will be at least three Korean teams in Semifinals. Anything else would be considered an upset. GPL TEAMS LCL TEAMS

LCL A young region in the competitive landscape, the Commonwealth of Independant States is mostly famous for the legendary Moscow 5 and Gambit Gaming. As a former Wildcard region, they were the first IWC region to make it past the Group Stage at a World Championship when at Worlds 2016 Albus NoX Luna surprised everyone, qualifying ahead of both G2 Esports and Counter Logic Gaming. LCK TEAMS LJL TEAMS

LJL The LJL has steadily gained momentum over the years. Most of the teams and players are influenced by the Korean meta, forging picks, strategy, and techniques from their neighbors. Imports from Korea have also made the relatively short jump to Japan which has levelled up the league through their greater experience. This was on display at Rift Rivals, where Japan beat out both the GPL and OPL. Traditionally LJL players have focused on a conservative style of play, though recently they are opting in for vastly different styles and strategies, showing far more diversity in their play. LCL TEAMS LLN TEAMS

LLN The Latin America North region was originally created as a duo with Latin America South, and they both battled against each other for one spot in international events. It created strong rivalries between the two regions, similar to that of North America and Europe. But Latin America North have only ever known one champion, Lyon Gaming, who have snatched an unprecedented nine consecutive regional titles. LJL TEAMS LMS TEAMS

LMS The LMS has always been a dark horse region. Originally part of the GPL, they split off to form their own League in order to develop homegrown talent. As part of the GPL they produced one of the only non-Korean World Champions in the Taipei Assassins, who conquered the Season 2 World Championship. Since then they have had mixed results at Worlds, led by ahq e-Sports Club and Flash Wolves, who between them will have seven World Championship appearances come Worlds 2017. For the very first time, the region will also step into Worlds with a #3 seed in the competition, and will be looking to capitalize on the extra manpower. LLN TEAMS LPL TEAMS

LPL The hometown heros and the most successful region never to win a World Championship. Chinese teams made the Finals in both 2013 and 2014, with Royal Club and star ADC Uzi, but will be looking to do one better here as the World Championship lands on home soil for the first time. They don’t care about your meta picks, or your macro style. Chinese teams love to fight, love a marathon five-game series, and live by the ideal that a game isn’t over until the Nexus explodes. The LPL upset Korea’s LCK at Rift Rivals, though there was only a subdued sense of celebration. The players knew in their hearts that the Worlds challenge was still to come. LMS TEAMS NA LCS TEAMS

NA LCS The North American LCS has had a tumultuous relationship with the World Championship in recent years. From the fabled 0-10 Week 2 of the Group Stage at Worlds 2015, to the predictions of TSM reaching Semifinals in 2016, only to be knocked out in the Group Stage. But with their utter domination of Europe at Rift Rivals this year, and the sheer influx of talent and infrastructure in the NA LCS, fans will once again be hoping that this is the year for solid results. LPL TEAMS OPL TEAMS

OPL A region that has traditionally been dominated by one team, the decline of Chief’s Esports Club has opened up for a wave of new competition in the Oceanic Pro League. Amongst the teams vying for the top spot, Dire Wolves have proven to be the leaders of the pack, clinching both championships in 2017, and representing the region first at this year's Mid-Season Invitational, and now at Worlds 2017. Teams from the OPL have come close to qualifying for Worlds in the past, but narrowly missed out, and have yet to make their mark on the international stage. NA LCS TEAMS TCL TEAMS