Since 2019, the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) has maintained a fixed prize pool of $2.5 million. Despite numerous requests from the LoL community, Riot Games has consistently refused to increase the tournament’s prize fund—until now.
For the 2025 Worlds, the company has finally decided to double the prize pool, marking a historic change in the League of Legends esports scene. This year’s World Championship will take place in China and feature a $5 million prize pool.
Worlds 2025: A Historic Prize Pool Increase
In an exclusive interview reported by Daily Esports, Chris Grille, the Global Director of League of Legends Esports, confirmed that the Worlds 2025 tournament will distribute $5 million in total prize money.
Additionally, he mentioned that this amount could further increase due to digital product sales, such as in-game skins and cosmetic items.
Along with this announcement, Grille also confirmed the prize pools for other major League of Legends tournaments:
Other Major League of Legends Tournament Prize Pools in 2025
- First Stand: $1 million
- Mid-Season Invitational (MSI): $2.5 million
Hanwha Life Won The First Stand | Source: Riot Games
Riot Games Plans for the Next 30 Years of Esports
During the same interview, Grille spoke about Riot Games’ long-term vision for League of Legends esports:
“In Korea, we launched ‘LoL the Next,’ and in North America, we hosted ‘Scouting Grounds.’ In Europe, we created an event to discover promising players through regional analysis. Moving forward, we are considering how to build a system that fosters talented players.”
With a long-term investment in player development, Riot Games aims to make League of Legends a dominant esports title for decades to come.
Is Worlds 2025 the Highest-Paying League of Legends Tournament?
The announcement of the prize pool increase has led many fans to wonder if Worlds 2025 will be the highest-paying League of Legends tournament in history.
However, the answer is no. Worlds 2025 will be the third-largest prize pool in the tournament’s history.
Top 3 Highest Prize Pools in League of Legends Worlds History
- Worlds 2018: $6,450,000 – Won by Invictus Gaming
- Worlds 2016: $5,070,000
- Worlds 2025: $5,000,000
Despite this, the increase in prize money represents a significant step forward for League of Legends esports, ensuring a more competitive and rewarding World Championship.
With the biggest prize pool increase in six years, Worlds 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting tournaments in League of Legends history. Stay tuned for more updates!