League of Legends is one of the most popular esports games in the world, with millions of fans globally. As a result, tickets to live League of Legends events like the World Championship, Mid-Season Invitational, and regional leagues are highly coveted. For die-hard League fans, getting tickets to these events can be a difficult process. This article will provide an overview of where and how to get tickets to see League of Legends live.
Overview of League of Legends Esports Events
Some of the major League of Legends esports events that fans can attend include:
- World Championship – This is the crowning event of the League season, where the best teams from every region compete for the Summoner’s Cup. It is held in different host cities each year.
- Mid-Season Invitational – A tournament between the top teams from every League region, held in May.
- All-Star Event – An exhibition tournament featuring fan-voted teams, with various game modes. Held in December.
- Regional Leagues – Ongoing leagues like the LCS (North America), LEC (Europe), LPL (China), and more. These run for much of the year with games every week.
- Rift Rivals – Cross-regional rivalry event held across several stages during the season.
These events draw thousands of spectators to live venues and millions more online. But with limited seating available, getting tickets can be highly competitive.
When Do Tickets Go on Sale?
Knowing when League of Legends tickets will be released for upcoming events is key to getting seats. Here is an overview of typical ticket sale timelines:
World Championship Tickets
As the most popular League event, Worlds tickets sell out extremely quickly. They usually go on sale in August or September, a month or two before the event starts in October. Announcements for the ticket sale dates are made via the LoL Esports website and social media channels.
Fans must move fast once tickets are available, as they often sell out within hours or minutes. For example, the 2021 Worlds event at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center in China had tickets sell out in under 10 minutes.
MSI and All-Star Event Tickets
Tickets for MSI and the All-Star Event also go on sale a couple months prior to each tournament. MSI tickets typically become available in March or April for the May event. All-Stars tickets usually go on sale in October for the December competition.
These events don’t sell out quite as rapidly as Worlds, but popular matchups will still go quickly. It’s best to try to buy as soon as sales open.
Regional League Tickets
For regional league matches, tickets are usually available a few weeks in advance of each weekend series. Most leagues like the LCS and LEC release tickets in batches throughout the season.
The regular schedules for these leagues mean tickets don’t instantly disappear. But popular matchups like “El Clásico” between Fnatic and G2 in the LEC often sell out fast.
Where to Buy League of Legends Esports Tickets
Now let’s look at the primary ways to purchase tickets for live League of Legends events.
Official League Websites
The best place to buy legitimate League of Legends tickets is through the official Riot Games websites. This includes:
- LoL Esports – The main hub for live events is https://lolesports.com/. This will have ticket links and details as soon as sales open.
- Regional League Sites – Tickets for LCS, LEC, LPL, etc can be found on each league’s individual website.
- Event-Specific Sites – For Worlds, MSI and other tournaments, dedicated mini-sites are launched with ticket purchase options.
These official sources are definitely the safest options, with guaranteed verified seats. The downsides are the limited quantities that sell out fast, and sometimes complex or expensive delivery options.
Ticket Reselling Sites
Due to the huge demand and low supply for events like Worlds, ticket reselling sites end up being very active for League of Legends. Fans who manage to get extra tickets often re-list them on sites like StubHub, VividSeats, and Ticketmaster.
The advantage of these resale platforms is they contain full event listings regardless of a sell-out. You can find tickets even when the official sources are empty. Just be prepared to pay very inflated prices – sometimes 5-10X the original value or more.
There are also risks around fraud and scam listings, so buyer protections like refunds are crucial when using these secondary markets. Only use reputable, guaranteed options.
Game Event Partners
Riot Games will sometimes partner with esports platforms and vendors to provide ticket packages and organizing options for live events. For example, ESL Gaming has offered bundled travel packages to Worlds in the past.
Similarly, LoL Esports has partnered with travel agencies like Sports Travel to offer comprehensive booking assistance for international events. These official partners can provide ease and peace of mind for those attending matches abroad.
Unofficial Resellers
Aside from licensed resale sites, there are always groups and individuals trying to offload extra tickets through unofficial channels. These include online marketplaces like Craigslist, eBay, Facebook groups, Reddit, etc.
There is massive risk in using these unregulated and unverified sources. Fake or duplicated tickets are very common, leaving fans stranded outside venues. Only use these channels as an absolute last resort.
Tips for Purchasing League of Legends Tickets
Here are some top tips for securing seats to League of Legends live events:
- Create accounts ahead of time – Having an account set up on LoL Esports and affiliated sites will save precious seconds during frantic on-sales.
- Get online early – Be at your computer and logged in at least an hour before the published start time for ticket sales.
- Choose carefully – Don’t waste time browsing options during Worlds sales – just click and check out fast.
- Have payment ready – Pre-load your payment details on your account to enable one-click purchasing.
- Use multiple devices – Improve your chances by using a computer, phone, tablet, etc. all trying at once.
- Consider VIP – For a little extra, bundled packages can give you premium seating, exclusive access and more.
- Join fan clubs – Some teams and events maintain fan clubs that get ticket pre-sales and special rates.
- Check main markets – Tickets for Worlds in China sell fastest in China, so check region-specific sales.
- Follow social updates – Turn on notifications from LoL Esports accounts to get the latest ticket announcements.
- Try waiting list – Big sites like Ticketmaster have ticket waiting lists you can join for sold-out shows.
With preparation, persistence and a bit of luck, dedicated League fans can secure tickets to the biggest live events and see their favorite teams and players compete in-person.
Finding Hotel and Travel Options for Events
Once you’ve secured event tickets, you need to arrange the rest of your travel and accommodation. League of Legends events attract visitors from around the globe, so booking hotels and transport needs to be done well in advance.
Here are some tips on finding the best deals:
Book accommodations early
Popular host cities will be booked up solid during major events. Look at hotel options as soon as the event location is announced, and reserve once ticket purchases are complete.
Aim for hotels close to venues, near public transport lines. If possible, choose accommodation packages that allow cancellation or changes.
Consider Airbnb and short-term rentals
For large groups or longer stays, Airbnb and VRBO can offer cost-effective rentals with more space and amenities than hotel rooms. The trade-off is less consistency than hotels. Reviews and policies need to be vetted closely.
Compare flight options
It pays to be flexible on departure airports and dates when comparing flight costs. Avoid flying on the Thursday/Friday before events if possible, as prices spike.
Browse both budget carriers and major airlines. Factor in baggage limits and fees when deciding.
Use public transport passes
For events spread across numerous days, multi-day public transport passes can be cheaper than paying per trip. Do your research to find the optimal pass duration for your itinerary.
Split bigger costs with friends
If you’re attending with a group, consider splitting larger expenses like Airbnbs, rental cars, or Ubers between friends. This can make luxury options like limos and suites more affordable.
Limit food/shopping costs
Event areas gouge on food, drinks and merchandise. Bring snacks and water into venues, and set a budget for discretionary spending.
What to Expect While Attending League of Legends Live Events
So what’s it actually like to attend a live League of Legends tournament? Here’s a quick rundown of the general environment and experience for fans:
Electric crowds
The energy and excitement generated by thousands of passionate League fans is a huge part of the live event atmosphere. Expect lots of cheering, chanting, celebrating big plays and more.
Lively spectator culture
Fans come prepared with costumes, banners, funky headwear and props to show their support. Cosplay is very popular. Audience participation is encouraged between games.
Stage shows and hijinks
League events have high-quality stage production values including videos, pyrotechnics, ceremonies and special guest appearances. Quirky LCS mascots and casters provide extra entertainment.
Merchandise galore
The concourse will feature dozens of booths selling jerseys, accessories, collectibles and more for you to spend all your money on. Limited exclusives get snatched up quickly.
Featured activities
Major tournaments often have special attractions like meet-and-greets with pro players, gaming stations, VR demos, dance competitions and a whole lot more.
Celebrity sightings
It’s common to see popular casters, streamers, pro players and influencers wandering event spaces. Keep an eye out and you may spot some legends.
After-parties
Many big tournament culminate with official after-parties at clubs, pools, stadiums featuring DJs and drink specials. These are often separately ticketed events.
Attending a live League of Legends tournament is a one-of-a-kind experience that creates lifelong memories for devoted fans.
Conclusion
League of Legends has become a worldwide phenomenon, with its live esports events drawing millions of excited fans each year. For those looking to attend these coveted tournaments, it pays to plan ahead. Being prepared with tickets, bookings and arrangements secured well in advance is crucial.
With the right approach, League fans can find themselves at the next Worlds, MSI or LCS weekend. There they’ll have the chance to cheer on their favorite teams alongside thousands of passionate supporters from across the globe. It’s an electrifying environment that demonstrates how far League of Legends has come in solidifying itself as one the premier esports.