June 13-15 at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium
Co-hosted by Busan City and LCK, selecting teams for MSI
Mayor Park Hyungjoon: "Busan is establishing itself as an esports city"
The representative selection tournament for the 'Mid-Season Invitational,' newly established this year to determine the participating teams, will be held in Busan for the '2025 League of Legends Champions Korea.'
The city of Busan (Mayor Park Hyungjoon) announced on the 24th that it will host the 'Mid-Season Invitational 2025 League of Legends Champions Korea (MSI 2025 LCK)' representative selection tournament together with League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan for three days from June 13 to 15.
This event is the domestic league representative selection tournament to decide the two Korean teams that will participate in MSI, one of the most prestigious international League of Legends esports tournaments in the world. The tournament was newly established starting in 2025 as the league structure changed from the previous Spring and Summer split system to a single season system.
Sajik Indoor Gymnasium, the venue for the 'MSI 2025 LCK' representative selection tournament, is a familiar place for esports fans, as it hosted the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 2023 World Championship. Of the five days of representative selection matches, the climactic rounds 3 to 5 will be held at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium.
The 'MSI 2025 LCK' representative selection tournament, being held for the first time in 2025, will feature the top six teams from the regular season. The tournament will use a hybrid format that combines a first-place decider and a King of the Hill playoff, where the winning team advances step by step.
The six teams will compete at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium for the final two spots to advance to MSI. LCK has established itself as global premium content, with over four million viewers daily, more than half of whom are international. The attention of both domestic and international fans is expected to focus on Busan for this tournament, further solidifying Busan’s status as a mecca for esports.
The city of Busan plans to provide full administrative support to ensure the successful hosting of the tournament, having worked tirelessly from the announcement to the confirmation of the event. The city also expects that the influx of domestic and international esports fans during the tournament will greatly contribute to maximizing the city's brand promotion and revitalizing the local economy.
During the tournament, a variety of side events will be held in the outdoor areas of Sajik Indoor Gymnasium, providing a venue for both fans and players to fully enjoy esports culture.
An official from Busan City said, "We expect between 9,000 and 15,000 visitors during the representative selection tournament, which will contribute to promoting Busan and boosting the local economy."
Busan Mayor Park Hyungjoon said, "Following the first-ever hosting of MSI in Busan in 2022 and the 2023 World Championship quarterfinals and semifinals, it is meaningful to host the newly established MSI 2025 LCK representative selection tournament in Busan this year. With the confirmation of G-Star as the next host city and the consecutive hosting of this representative selection tournament, Busan will solidify its position as a leading city in esports, and we will continue to strive to host global tournaments in the future."
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