What pandemic? Riot confirms MSI 2022 will take place in Busan, South Korea

Riot Games have confirmed that the Mid-Season Invitational will be held in South Korea. This will also mark the country’s first-ever hosting of the tournament and the first League of Legends international event since 2018.

Source: Riot Games

During the period of March 15-28, South Korea recorded a record number of COVID-19 cases; 5.121.878

After some speculations about the event, due to the ongoing pandemic, the tournament organizers have decided not to postpone or move the competition to another country.

Source: JHU CSSE COVID-19 Data

Due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, The LCL (Russian league) won’t take participation in the event as a decision has been taken to cancel the split. As a consequence of this decision, the CIS will have to miss the tournament, meaning that the competition will have 12 teams instead of 13.

I am so incredibly sad.
No more LCL and no MSI.

Everyone in @UnicornsOfLove has worked so extremely hard this year, scouting, tryouting, starting scrims 2 months before the split, a detailed content plan… you name it.

I feel so devastated for everyone involved. Fuck war. pic.twitter.com/WciP6crm5Y

— Fabian Mallant (@SheepyLoL) March 25, 2022

The Mid-Season Invitational will take place in Busan, the BRENA (Busan Esports Arena), and will run from May 15 to May 29. Despite the public criticism of the format, it will remain the same as before: Group stage – Rumble stage – Knockout stage. The event will also feature a live audience.

“We are thrilled to honor this country’s heritage in esports, to celebrate the passion of Korean fans, and to bring all the talent of MSI pro teams to Korea for the first time. Busan was an incredible setting for Worlds 2014 and 2018, and we can’t wait to go back to see the challenge between the best League of Legends teams in the world.”

Group stage(May 10-15): Teams will be drawn into three groups of four to play a best-of-one double round-robin.

Rumble stage (May 18-22): Top two teams of each group advance to the Rumble stage. The six remaining teams compete in a best-of-one double-round robin.

Knockout stage (May 27-29): The top four teams that are left in the competition will compete in a single-elimination best-of-five. The bracket will be formed depending on the standings during the Rumble stage. First plays fourth & second plays third. The winners of the series will clash in the MSI 2022 Finals.