The schedule and venues for the 2023 League of Legends World Championship, which was announced to be held in Korea, have been finalized. The host cities for Worlds 2023 will be Seoul and Busan. Korea previously hosted the Mid-Season Invitational in Busan in 2022 and twice hosted Worlds in 2014 and 2018. This year, Worlds will kick off in Seoul on Oct. 10, before moving to Busan for the quarterfinals and semifinals. The grand finals will return to Seoul on Nov. 19.

With a new format for 2023, Worlds will feature 22 teams competing in three stages. The Play-In Stage will take place from Tuesday, Oct. 10 to Sunday, Oct. 15, at LoL Park. The Swiss Stage, which is new to Worlds, will take place from Thursday, Oct. 19 to Monday, Oct. 23, and Thursday, Oct. 26 to Sunday, Oct. 29 at KBS Arena.

The quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will be in the traditional single-elimination knockout tournament format. The quarterfinals will take place from Thursday, Nov. 2 to Sunday, Nov. 5, and the semifinals from Saturday, Nov. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 12, at Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan. The much-anticipated final will take place on Sunday, Nov 19, at the Gocheok SkyDome in Seoul, the largest indoor stadium in Korea and home of the baseball team, Kiwoom Heroes.

This year's finals will start later than in previous years due to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The Asian Games will take place from Sep. 23 through Oct. 8. For the first time ever, LoL esports will be an official sport at the Asian Games, and Riot Games has delayed the start of Worlds to accommodate the focus of current professional LoL esports players competing at the Asian Games.

"South Korea is synonymous with esports and gaming powerhouses, with passionate fans and some of the world's most talented players," said Naz Aletaha, Global Head of LoL esports. "We are thrilled to bring the World Championship back to the birthplace of esports and home of the LCK, and we look forward to celebrating the pinnacle of LoL esports with fans in South Korea and around the world this fall."

"This will be the first time in five years that the LoL World Championship will be held in Korea since 2018," said LCK secretary general Lee Jung-hoon. "Together with the cities of Seoul and Busan, we are preparing to deliver a memorable tournament for esports fans in Korea and around the world. We will work hard to support our LCK teams so that they can once again lift the trophy at home and continue their glory from last year."