In a thrilling showdown at the Esports World Cup 2025 held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Gen.G Esports clinched the League of Legends championship title after a nail-biting 3-2 victory over AG.AL International in the grand final on Sunday, July 20, 2025. The Best-of-5 series was a rollercoaster of emotions and showcased the finest competitive play from both teams, cementing Gen.G's dominance on the international stage.
Gen.G entered the grand final as clear favorites, riding a wave of momentum from their recent triumph at the Mid-Season Invitational just eight days prior. Their win at MSI had already set the tone for what has become one of the most dominant runs in League of Legends history, as the Korean powerhouse extended their winning streak to 26 matches with this latest victory. This feat marks the fastest back-to-back international title wins ever recorded in League of Legends.
The grand final kicked off with Gen.G asserting their dominance early, securing a swift 30-minute win on blue side in Game 1. The team strategically built around their carries, with Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon impressing on Yone and Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk shining on Varus, leading Gen.G to an early 1-0 lead. Game 2 saw another commanding performance from Ruler, complemented by Kim "Kiin" Ki-in's versatile play on K'Sante and Ambessa, as Gen.G closed out the map in 28 minutes, taking a 2-0 series lead.
However, AG.AL was far from finished. The LPL representatives fought back fiercely in Game 3, with Wang "Hope" Jie delivering a standout performance on Sivir that breathed new life into the series and brought the score to 2-1. The momentum continued in Game 4, where AG.AL leveled the series at 2-2. Kim "Kael" Jin-hong's impactful Blitzcrank play, the only Blitzcrank pick of the tournament, proved pivotal. His ability to pull off crucial hooks energized the team and the crowd, setting the stage for a decisive Game 5 with over forty champions banned across the series.
The final game was a masterclass in coordination and composure from Gen.G. With Chovy on Twisted Fate — a pick that had been elusive throughout the spring international events — Gen.G maintained complete map control and dictated the pace. Their superior positioning and teamfight execution denied AG.AL any foothold, culminating in a decisive victory that secured Gen.G the Esports World Cup title and the $600,000 grand prize.
South Korean top laner Kim "Kiin" Ki-in was deservedly named the tournament MVP for his consistently impactful performances throughout the event. Kiin's ability to apply pressure, make smart target selections, and create space for his teammates was instrumental in Gen.G's success. Reflecting on the victory, Kiin expressed, "We were here last year, but we got eliminated early, so this time I wanted to lift the trophy, and I did. I'm really excited."
Gen.G's CEO Arnold Hur praised the team's achievements, highlighting their position atop the EWC Club Championship standings with 1,800 points, 100 ahead of their closest rivals. "For us, the important thing is to keep on improving and delivering positive performances and results each year compared to the previous one, and that's what we're doing in this year's edition so far. Everyone is working to help the club reach new heights and to KEEP RISING," Hur said.
Gen.G's roster, including Joo "Duro" Min-kyu, Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon, Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu, Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk, and Kim "Kiin" Ki-in, overcame a field of twelve elite teams competing for a total $2 million prize pool. Alongside the $600,000 prize money, Gen.G earned 1,000 EWC Club Points, further solidifying their status as the world's top League of Legends team.
In the third-place match held earlier on Sunday, reigning world champions T1 swept G2 Esports 2-0 to claim third place, earning $230,000 and 500 club points. T1's victories were swift, with a 27-minute win on blue side and a 28-minute win on red side, showcasing their continued strength in the competitive scene. Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok's performance on Sylas was particularly notable, contributing to the team's clean sweep.
The Esports World Cup 2025 also serves as a crucial part of the Club Championship, which will ultimately award $7 million to the winning team at the end of the Cup. The event's prize distribution saw AG.AL as runners-up take home $320,000 and 750 points, while G2 Esports earned $160,000 for fourth place. Other notable teams such as FlyQuest, Bilibili Gaming, Hanwha Life Sports, and KOI secured prize money and points for finishing in the 5th to 8th positions.
Looking ahead, the regional leagues are resuming with the LPL already underway since July 19, 2025. AG.AL and Bilibili Gaming are set to face off on July 26, reigniting the fierce competition in the Chinese league. The LCK season will recommence on July 23, 2025, featuring a blockbuster opener between MSI and EWC champions Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports, who were eliminated early in the EWC by AG.AL. The LEC is scheduled to resume on August 2, 2025, while the LCP and both LTA North and South leagues will return on July 26, 2025.
Gen.G's back-to-back victories at the Mid-Season Invitational and the Esports World Cup mark a historic chapter in League of Legends esports. Their blend of strategic depth, individual skill, and team cohesion sets a new benchmark for excellence. As the competitive season progresses, all eyes will be on Gen.G to see if they can maintain their extraordinary form and continue their ascent as the world's premier League of Legends team.
