Riot Games has announced that the 2020 League of Legends World Championship (Worlds 2020) will begin Sept. 25, with the full tournament to take place in Shanghai. The tournament is scheduled to conclude on Oct. 31.
Originally, as has been the case with previous Worlds events, Riot had planned for the tournament to travel to different cities in China for its various stages. The tournament has been moved entirely to Shanghai as an added safety measure due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Finals match will be held in the newly constructed Pudong Soccer Stadium.
According to a release, if local guidelines permit the event will have an audience, with ticket details and safety protocols to be shared at a later date.
Additionally, Riot has adjusted its plans for the next two World Championships. The event will return to China in 2021 for the usual multi-city tour, with North America hosting the 2022 iteration.
Worlds will be one of the few international championship events to take place on this year’s esports competition calendar. Dota 2’s The International appears to have been pushed to 2021, the status of the year’s remaining Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major is unknown, fighting game circuits have moved online or been canceled. Of the major esports, only Rainbow Six Siege was able to host its annual championship, the Six Invitational, as planned due to it having taken place in early February – prior to most global travel lockdowns taking place.
