Riot Games has set the host locations for the 2027 League of Legends international calendar, moving its three major events across China, Spain, Japan and South Korea. The announcement on Friday, Nov. 13, included a one-time expansion of First Stand, the first Mid-Season Invitational in Valencia and Japan’s debut as a Worlds host.
The calendar changes the opening structure of the season and divides the World Championship between two countries. Riot said the expanded First Stand will be called First Stand: All In 2027 and will be held in China. The event was previously assigned to Southeast Asia, which will now host First Stand in 2028.
First Stand expands for one edition
First Stand: All In 2027 is planned as a larger version of the international tournament, with Riot describing it as the biggest tournament the developer has produced. The special format is intended to bring more teams and players from across the global competitive system together at the start of the year.
The change will affect Split 1 in regional leagues, including the League of Legends EMEA Championship. Riot is expected to provide the format, qualification process and participating-team information in January. First Stand used a March window in 2026, running from March 16 to March 22 between the two regional splits.
- First Stand: All In 2027: China, with the expanded format used for one edition.
- MSI 2027: Valencia, Spain, at the Feria de Valencia.
- Worlds 2027: Nagoya, Japan, followed by Suwon and Seoul, South Korea.
MSI returns to Europe
The 2027 Mid-Season Invitational will take place in Valencia, giving Europe its next international League of Legends event after the Worlds 2024 final in London. The tournament will be held at the Feria de Valencia. Spain’s most recent international League of Legends event was the 2019 Worlds quarterfinal and semifinal stage in Madrid, while Valencia will host one for the first time.
Riot has not announced the dates for MSI 2027 or ticket information for the Valencia event. Those details will determine the event’s position within the regional competition calendar, which is also being adjusted around the expanded First Stand.
Worlds crosses Japan and South Korea
Worlds 2027 will begin in Nagoya, Japan, with the Swiss Stage. That will mark the first time Japan has hosted the League of Legends World Championship. The tournament will then move to South Korea for its Knockout Stage.
The quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for the Suwon Convention Center in Suwon. The final is planned for Seoul Arena in Seoul. The arena is under construction, with work reported as 81% complete on Oct. 23 and completion scheduled for a later point before the event.
Riot is also exploring whether the Worlds Play-In Stage could be replaced by the Demacia Cup. The proposal is aimed at creating more best-of series and additional opportunities for teams to compete for a place at Worlds, but the plan has not been finalized.
