BLG's first match in the World Cup is confirmed; they are grouped with T1. There is no time to dwell on the loss—they must continue their pursuit of the championship.

Greetings to all LPL viewers and League of Legends summoners. This is the "World of Esports" channel.

The MSI Mid-Season Invitational has ended, and everyone is analyzing the reasons behind BLG's loss of the championship. Bin has been singled out as the main target, and the team's morale is quite low.

Editor

Yet this season does not allow them much time to grieve; the World Cup tournament will begin tomorrow.

The first match of the World Cup is set, and they are in the same group as T1.

Season 16 features an abundance of international events, with a very tight schedule. Among the non-Riot official tournaments are the Asian Games LoL, the EWC, and the ENC. If you are a top-performing player, you must be prepared to travel and compete frequently. Many viewers may not even be ready before the next event arrives.

Just three days after MSI ended, the EWC will officially begin tomorrow.

Although many do not consider the EWC to carry much prestige, the participating teams are all genuine powerhouses. Almost all strong teams from around the world are present, and the prize pool is substantial.

As for BLG, only three days after losing the championship, they are heading to Paris. The same applies to other strong teams that participated in MSI—all are rushing to the new arena to prepare for the competition. This EWC features 16 teams divided into four groups, one of which has become a true "Group of Death."

Group A consists of G2, AL, DK, and FUR, competing for two spots to advance. The schedule is extremely dense, putting immense pressure on players; they could be eliminated after just two matches.

BLG, meanwhile, has been placed in the same group as T1, and their first opponent is confirmed to be MKOI.

The Most Brutal Tournament of the Year: World Cup Battle Royale

Also in BLG's group is GAM from the Vietnam region. To be honest, this group is easier to advance from compared to Group A. However, given that these are BO1 matches, caution is still necessary—especially with another encounter against T1, which is sure to draw a lot of attention.

Many viewers are teasing BLG, saying they have no time to be sad and must embark on a brand-new journey.

As for the other two groups, Group B includes TSW, GEN, KC, and SEN, while Group D features HLE, LYON, JDG, and LOS. Apart from Group A, the most competitive group is likely Group D.

Furthermore, the schedule for this EWC can be described as the most grueling tournament of the year.

The competition officially begins tomorrow, with two matches taking place at the same time. BLG's match is scheduled for a little after 6 PM, and at that same time, T1 will be playing against GAM. Some viewers may need to watch two matches simultaneously on separate screens.

The group stage will use a double-elimination format, with matches that determine advancement or elimination being played as BO3s.

All group stage matches will be completed within three days, from the 15th to the 17th. Then, on the 18th and 19th, the entire knockout stage will be played. The most unusual part is that on the 19th, three consecutive knockout matches will be held—including two semifinals and one final—meaning one team will have to play a continuous BO8.

Winning the EWC Championship Can Restore Reputation

The EWC has a tradition of using a crushed key as the trophy base. Over the past two years, the EWC champions haven't been widely discussed, as the event's prestige is somewhat lacking. However, since this tournament is being held immediately after MSI, winning the EWC title could help a team redeem itself to some extent.

Of course, this excludes HLE, because if they win the EWC, it would mean they've secured two consecutive championships in a short period.

Personally, I believe BLG should go all out to win the EWC this time. They urgently need this tournament to prove their strength once again. Given this battle royale format, any upset is possible. Moreover, with more teams from the LCK and LPL participating, one could argue that the overall strength and competitiveness of this event even surpasses MSI.

If they can claim the championship under such high-pressure conditions, it would be a remarkable achievement. I also hope that BLG and the other three LPL teams can seize this opportunity to quickly secure a title after the MSI defeat, boosting the region's morale. Plus, the prize money is substantial enough to help the clubs recover financially.