Whether it’s your first time watching an international esports event or you just want a quick overview of what to expect at the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational, here’s your guide to the upcoming tournament:

What is the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational?

The 2019 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) is an international League of Legends tournament. 13 regions will participate by sending their most recent split champion (Spring Split or Split 1) to face off against other regional champions in a fight for the title of ‘MSI Champion.’

This year MSI will be taking place in Southeast Asia, with stops in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Taipei.

Who is playing at MSI 2019?

The teams, regions and corresponding leagues that will be competing at MSI 2019 are as follows:

• CBLOL’s INTZ eSports – Brazil (BR)
• LEC’s G2 Esports – Europe (EU)
• LST’s MEGA Esports – Thailand, Southeast Asia Region (SEA)
• LCK’s SK Telecom T1 – Korea (KR)
• LCL’s Vega Squadron – Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
• LCS’s Team Liquid  – North America (NA)
• LJL’s DetonatioN FocusMe – Japan (JPN)
• LLA’s Isurus Gaming – Latin America (LATAM)
• LMS’s Flash Wolves – Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Macau (LMS)
• LPL’s Invictus Gaming – China (CH) 
• OPL’s Bombers – Oceania (OCE)
• TCL’s 1907 Fenerbahçe Esports – Turkey (TUR)
• VCS’s Phong Vũ Buffalo – Vietnam (VN)

What are they playing for?

The title of MSI Champion and the corresponding trophy, medals, prize pool, recognition on Summoner’s Rift and the glory that comes with victory on the global stage. Additionally, the teams that finish in the top four positions will secure the top four seeds for their region at the 2019 World Championship Group Stage.

As with 2018, the best performing team involved in the Play-In stage (BR, CIS, JPN, LATAM, OCE, SEA, TUR, and VN) will secure their region an additional seed at the World Championship. The #1 seed from this region will start in the World Championship Group Stage, and their new seed (the #2 seed from that region), will start in the World Championship Play-In Stage.

25% of the total sales from the 2019 Conqueror skin and bundle will contribute to the prize pool. Conqueror Alistar and the 2019 Conqueror Ward will be available in the store from April 30, 2019 through June 11, 2019. For more information on how MSI comes to life in-game, check out the article here.

The total MSI prize pool will be made up of a base of $250,000, coupled with 25% of the total sale of Conqueror Alistar and Ward skins.

Here’s how it’s broken down by team placement at MSI 2019:

• Champion: 40%
• 2nd Place: 20%
• 3rd – 4th: 10% each
• 5th – 6th: 5% each
• 7th: 2.5%
• 8th-9th: 1.50% each
• 10th-11th: 1.25% each
• 12th-13th: 1% each

In addition to prize pool, competing teams will receive compensation based on sales of their in-game icons. Icons will be available from April 30, 2019 through June 11, 2019 and 50% of revenue from these icons will go to their respective teams.

As a reminder, these are the new team icons we introduced at the beginning of Spring Split. We removed the year from these icons so you don’t have to purchase a new one each season. Except for relegations, promotions, and team logo changes, these same icons will return to the store each split and event a team participates in!

As with last year, the results of MSI will impact where regions are seeded for the 2019 World Championship. Further info on Worlds 2019 seeding will be released prior to the event.

What’s the format of MSI 2019?

If you’d rather watch than read, check out the format breakdown video here.

The tournament has three different phases:

• Play-In Stage
• Group Stage
• Knockout Stage

Play-In Stage

The play-in stage takes place in Ho Chi Minh City at GG Stadium starting on May 1. Ten teams will participate in the Play-In. Eight teams will play in the Play-In Group Stage, while the top two seeded teams, Flash Wolves from the LMS and Team Liquid from LCS, will be automatically advanced to the Play-In Knockout Stage. The eight teams in the Play-In Group Stage will be split into two groups of four at the Play-In Draw Show. These two groups of four will compete in a Best of 1 double round robin, which means every team will play each other twice. The top performing team from each group will advance to the Play-In Knockout Stage, where they will face either Team Liquid from the LCS or Flash Wolves from LMS in a Best of 5 series. The winners of these matches (the Play-In Promotion Matches) will advance to the Group Stage. The losers of each of these matches will play each other in the final match of the Play-In Knockout Stage, the Play-In Elimination Match.  The participating teams are as follows:

• CBLOL’s INTZ – Brazil (BR)
• LST’s MEGA Esports – Southeast Asia Tour (SEA)
• LCL’s Vega Squadron – Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
• LCS’s Team Liquid  – North America (NA)
• LJL’s DetonatioN FocusMe – Japan (JPN)
• LLA’s Isurus Gaming – Latin America (LATAM)
• LMS’s Flash Wolves – Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Macau (LMS)
• OPL’s Bombers – Oceania (OCE)
• TCL’s 1907 Fenerbahçe Espor – Turkey (TUR)
• VCS’s Phong Vũ Buffalo – Vietnam (VN)

Group Stage

The group stage will take place in Hanoi at the National Convention Center starting on May 10. Three teams from the Play-In Stage will advance to take on the most recent champions from Europe, China, and Korea. The format remains the same as last year, with the six teams competing in a Best of 1 double round robin.

• LEC’s G2 Esports – Europe (EU)
• LCK’s SKT T1 – Korea (KR)
• LPL’s Invictus Gaming – China (CH)
• Winner of Play-In Promotion Match 1
• Winner of Play-In Promotion Match 2
• Winner of Play-In Elimination Match

Knockout Stage

The knockout stage takes place in Taipei at the Heping Basketball Gymnasium starting on May 17. As with last year, the top four teams from the Group Stage will advance to a Best of 5 bracket.

When is MSI happening? How can I watch?

Play-In Stage

Play-In Group Stage Dates: May 1 – May 4

Play-In Knockout Stage Dates: May 5 – May 7

Group Stage

Dates: May 10 – May 14

Knockout Stage

Dates: May 17 – May 19

The MSI 2019 broadcast begins at the following times and will be streamed on Lolesports:

• Play-in Day 1: May 1, 4 PM ICT (2 AM PDT)
• Play-in Day 2: May 2, 4 PM ICT (2 AM PDT)
• Play-in Day 3: May 4, 12 PM ICT (10 PM PDT)
• Play-in Day 4: May 5, 2 PM ICT (12 AM PDT)
• Play-in Day 5: May 6, 3 PM ICT (1 AM PDT)
• Play-in Day 6: May 7, 5 PM ICT (3 AM PDT)
• Group Stage Day 1: May 10, 5 PM ICT (3 AM PDT)
• Group Stage Day 2: May 11, 2 PM ICT (12 AM PDT)
• Group Stage Day 3: May 12, 2 PM ICT (12 AM PDT)
• Group Stage Day 4: May 13, 5 PM ICT (3 AM PDT)
• Group Stage Day 5: May 14, 5 PM ICT (3 AM PDT)
• Knockout Stage Day 1: May 18, 6 PM China Standard Time (3 AM PDT)
• Knockout Stage Day 2: May 19, 3 PM China Standard Time (12 AM PDT)
• Knockout Stage Day 3: May 20, 3 PM China Standard Time (12 AM PDT)

What if I want to watch in person?

Want to watch in person? Learn more about how to purchase tickets here.

What are the rules for MSI 2019?

We’ve been working closely with all the regional leagues in advance of MSI 2019 to give them time to understand and comply with the ruleset. If you’d like to review the official language in the ruleset, read the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational rules here.

Who is casting MSI 2019?

Stay tuned to Lolesports to see who will Make History at MSI 2019. The battle begins with the opening match of the Play-In Stage on Wednesday, May 1 at 3 AM PDT.