The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2025 is currently electrifying the League of Legends esports scene in Vancouver, Canada, as the world’s top teams battle it out from June 28 through July 13. This international tournament, split into the Play-in and main Bracket stages, is not only a contest for the prestigious MSI trophy but also a crucial qualifier for the 2025 World Championship. Fans have been treated to intense matches, surprising upsets, and nail-biting finishes, underscoring the fiercely competitive nature of 2025’s League of Legends landscape.
The Play-in stage set the tone for the tournament, featuring four teams fighting for the last spots in the main Bracket stage. G2 Esports, a team historically dominant in Western esports, faced a challenging road. After a grueling 3-2 victory over FURIA on June 28, they stumbled against Bilibili Gaming (BLG), who swept them 3-0 on June 29, demonstrating BLG’s dominance early on. G2’s resilience was tested again in a tight 3-2 win against GAM Esports on June 30, which secured their advancement but foreshadowed struggles ahead.
Once in the Bracket stage, G2’s difficulties persisted. On July 2, Gen.G, the Korean powerhouse and reigning MSI 2024 champions, decisively defeated G2 3-1. G2’s woes deepened on July 5 when FlyQuest, a strong North American contender, swept them 3-0, eliminating G2 from the tournament. This marked a significant moment, signaling a potential end to G2’s era of dominance. Despite offseason roster changes, including the addition of rookie jungler SkewMond and support player Labrov, G2 struggled with synergy and consistency. Labrov and BrokenBlade were particularly noted as weak links, with BrokenBlade’s laning phase performances falling short of expectations. Caps remained the lone bright spot, but even his efforts couldn’t carry the team past its challenges.
Meanwhile, the MSI upper bracket has been a battleground for some of the tournament’s fiercest rivalries. The July 5 showdown between T1 and Bilibili Gaming highlighted the high stakes. T1, led by Toplaner Doran and Jungler Oner, entered the match on the back of a 3-1 win against CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO). Doran’s standout performances, including a Player of the Match award, have been pivotal. BLG, meanwhile, was riding a wave of momentum after sweeping GAM Esports and G2 Esports in the Play-in stage and securing a 3-1 victory over KOI. The July 5 clash ended with T1 sweeping BLG 3-0, setting up a highly anticipated Upper Bracket Final against Gen.G.
Gen.G’s journey through MSI 2025 has been marked by resilience and skill, epitomized in their intense upper semifinal series against China’s Anyone’s Legend (AL) on July 5. Gen.G, undefeated in the Korean regional split and MSI 2024 champions, were favorites, but AL, bolstered by late 2024 roster additions like Tarzan, proved formidable. The series was a rollercoaster, with AL taking the first map and Gen.G responding with two consecutive wins. AL forced a nail-biting fifth game by winning the fourth map, but Gen.G ultimately clinched the series 3-2. This victory advanced Gen.G to the Upper Bracket Final, while AL dropped to the Lower Bracket Round 2 to face the loser of CFO vs KOI.
Each game in the Gen.G vs AL series showcased high-level play and strategic depth. Game 1 saw AL build a stable gold lead through superior team fights, while Game 2 featured Gen.G’s ace around a Dragon fight and a crucial buff steal. Game 3 was a pivotal comeback for Gen.G, winning a decisive fight at 31 minutes. AL bounced back in Game 4, leveraging small fights and pressure to force a final game. In Game 5, Gen.G dominated from the outset, securing multiple Dragons and an ace to close out the series. This win extended Gen.G’s remarkable 21-match win streak, underscoring their dominance in 2025.
Elsewhere, CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) delivered a commanding performance against Movistar KOI, securing a 3-1 series victory that eliminated KOI from MSI and dashed European hopes. CFO’s victories were characterized by strong early leads, objective control, and decisive team fights. Key moments included Doggo’s double kill and Baron steals, as well as strategic use of the Ocean Soul buff to close out the series. CFO’s next challenge is a matchup against Anyone’s Legend, promising more intense battles ahead.
The MSI 2025 format continues to test teams’ adaptability and endurance. The Bracket stage features an upper and lower bracket, with the upper bracket allowing a second chance after a loss, while the lower bracket is a do-or-die scenario under the Fearless Drafts format, which has been standard throughout 2025. Upcoming matches include the Upper Bracket Final between Gen.G and T1 on July 10, with the grand final scheduled for July 13.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes remain sky-high. The $2 million USD prize pool and qualification spots for the 2025 World Championship add layers of pressure and prestige. Teams are not only fighting for immediate glory but also for momentum heading into the biggest event on the esports calendar later this year.
Looking ahead, the MSI 2025 grand final on July 13 promises to be a spectacular conclusion to a tournament filled with drama and elite competition. The victors will not only claim the trophy but also solidify their status as the world’s best heading into Worlds 2025, set for October 1 to November 1. Meanwhile, teams like G2 Esports face critical reflection and rebuilding phases, with the Summer Split serving as a crucial test of their ability to adapt and compete at the highest level once again.
For fans and analysts alike, MSI 2025 has delivered a compelling narrative of dominance, upsets, and fierce rivalry, encapsulating the dynamic and evolving nature of professional League of Legends esports.
