Four teams have been eliminated, and 16 remain on the road to glory.

Even in the play-in stage, one major region has already fallen short of expectations.

100 Thieves, from North America, suffered a disappointing defeat to PSG Talon in the lower bracket final, marking an early exit from LoL Worlds 2024.

With the Swiss Stage now set, exciting first-round matchups are on the horizon.

#Words2024 Swiss Stage round 1 match order:@BilibiliGaming @MADLionsKOI @TOP_Esports_ @T1LoL@GenG @WeiboGamingLoL @FNATIC @DplusKIA @TeamLiquidLoL @LNG_Esports @HLEofficial @psgtalonlol @FlyQuest @GAMesportsVN @G2League @paiNGamingBR https://t.co/i0oHBJbfpe

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) September 29, 2024

T1 will start their title defence against Top Esports, while European fans have reason for cautious optimism: G2 Esports faces paiN Gaming, and Fnatic goes head-to-head with Dplus KIA.

On the other hand, MAD Lions fans may feel a pang of anxiety as their team has drawn LPL Summer champions, Bilibili Gaming, in the first round.

In an interview, Supa from MAD Lions expressed a desire to face a North American team for revenge, but it seems that match will have to wait.

GAM Esports, fresh off a strong play-in stage performance, will now face FlyQuest, while PSG Talon must take on the LCK Summer winners, Hanwha Life Esports.

Meanwhile, Team Liquid is set to face LNG Esports, and Weibo Gaming is lined up against Gen.G, the dominant second seed from the LCK.

This year’s World Championship will take place across Berlin, Paris, and London, with the Swiss Stage held in two parts: October 3-7 and October 10-13.

The opening day will feature best-of-one round one matchups, followed by 1-0 and 0-1 matchups on October 4.

From then on, the decisive best-of-three matches will determine who moves on to the knockout stage and who goes home.

The play-in stage has already concluded, with eight teams competing for four qualification spots.

These four teams will now join the twelve already qualified teams in the Swiss Stage, where many consider the ‘real’ Worlds to begin.

The 16 teams are divided into four pools, with Pool 1 teams facing Pool 4, and Pool 2 taking on Pool 3.

Importantly, no teams will face opponents from their own region in the first round.

After that, matchups will pair teams with the same record regardless of region, and rematches will be prohibited.

To qualify for the knockout stage, a team must win three matches, while three losses mean elimination from Worlds 2024.

The Swiss Stage format will feature best-of-one matches until the qualification and elimination series, which will be best of three.

Fans can catch all the Swiss Stage action on the official LoL Esports channels on Twitch and YouTube.

The final eight teams that survive this gruelling stage will advance to the knockout stage, bringing them one step closer to the Summoner’s Cup.

Thursday’s Swiss Stage matches

• Hanwha Life Esports ($1.06) vs PSG Talon ($8.00) @ 2pm CET
• FlyQuest ($1.36) vs GAM Esports ($3.00) @ 3pm CET
• G2 Esports ($1.16) vs paiN Gaming ($4.50) @ 4pm CET
• Bilibili Gaming ($1.08) vs MAD Lions KOI ($7.00) @ 5pm CET
• Top Esports ($2.00) vs T1 ($1.72) @ 6pm CET
• Team Liquid ($3.00) vs LNG Esports ($1.36) @ 7pm CET
• Fnatic ($3.75) vs Dplus KIA ($1.25) @ 8pm CET
• Gen.G ($1.20) vs Weibo Gaming ($4.33) @ 9pm CET

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MAD Lions KOI head to their fifth straight World Championship having run third in the LEC Season Finals, where they fell to G2 Esports in the lower-bracket final. MAD started the 2024 season well with a runner-up finish in the winter split before running sixth and eighth in the spring and summer splits, respectively.

Vikings Esports have exploded onto the Vietnamese League of Legends scene, recording back-to-back second-place finishes in the spring and summer splits this season. Vikings ended the regular season of the summer split with only one loss to their name and entered the playoffs as the top seed, ahead of GAM Esports.

Both of these squads enjoyed playing high-kill series throughout their regional splits, so with $1.83 on offer with top esports betting sites for 59.5 total kills, it looks like a great play.

PSG Talon will once again seek to run through the play-in stage at LoL Worlds as they return for their fourth appearance in the last five years. PSG have dominated the PCS in 2024, winning each of the summer and spring playoffs throughout the year, only losing two maps across those runs.

PaiN Gaming will attend their second LoL World Championship and their first since 2015, following a dominant campaign in the CBLOL Split 2. Considering that South American teams have struggled at Worlds in recent years, it appears as though paiN will be up against it from their opening series.

PSG Talon have a wealth of experience on the biggest stage, and they shouldn’t have too much trouble winning this series with a 2-0 scoreline.

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BILIBILI GAMING v PSG TALON LoL BETTING & MATCH DETAILS

Like the first two series of Mid-Season Invitational 2024 Stage 2, the battle between Bilibili Gaming and PSG Talon on Thursday, May 9, is expected to be very lopsided.

PSG Talon had a rough start to the tournament, suffering a 1-2 loss against FlyQuest in the first round of the play-in stage. But they showed improvement in the losers’ bracket with 2-0 sweeps of Estral Esports and FlyQuest to reach the final eight.

Bilibili Gaming were directly seeded into the second stage of the tournament as China’s top-ranked League of Legends team. That alone makes them serious candidates to win MSI 2024, and Bilibili’s performances this season make it hard to doubt their chances to hoist the trophy.

At $1.01 with the top LoL betting sites, Bilibili Gaming are expected to win the series 99% of the time. While that number might be fair, it means we have to search for value.

If we assume PSG Talon have a 10% chance of winning any map, there’s a 72.8% chance of a sweep, so taking Bilibili Gaming with a 2.5-map handicap at $1.27 doesn’t offer any value. That is assuming 10% isn’t too generous of an estimation for PSG, which it probably is.

The kill line of 12.5 for each map is a huge figure, it is one Bilibili Gaming can cover. They managed 16.4 kills on average in the LPL 2024 Spring Playoffs against much stronger opposition, and with the side choice, the favourites look set for a strong start to the series.

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Among them is Fnatic, who faced challenges in the upper bracket final but managed to secure a confident victory against GAM Esports in the lower bracket semi-final.

#FNCWIN @FNATIC take down @GAMesportsVN and advance to the #MSI2024 Bracket Stage! pic.twitter.com/INMs0Ax1tc

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) May 5, 2024

Fnatic’s journey at MSI 2024 showcased their ability to adapt and learn from their opponents’ mistakes.

In their match against GAM Esports, Fnatic demonstrated methodical gameplay, avoiding mistakes and gaining a strong advantage, ultimately securing their place in the bracket stage.

However, in the upper bracket final against Top Esports, Fnatic faced a setback in the first game but rallied in the second game with a display of momentum and dominance.

Despite their efforts, they couldn’t maintain that level in the decisive third game, allowing Top Esports to advance to the main event through the upper bracket.

In the lower bracket final rematch against GAM Esports, Fnatic faced a different challenge.

GAM Esports, buoyed by their victory over LOUD, displayed formidable team fights and strategic prowess.

Fnatic, however, learned from LOUD’s mistakes, controlling their aggressive tendencies and returning to a methodical yet offensive playstyle to secure victory and ensure both LEC teams advance to the bracket stage.

#PSGWIN@PSG_TALON_LOL DEFEAT @FLYQUEST AND ADVANCE TO THE #MSI2024 BRACKET STAGE! pic.twitter.com/SYdICMTBEw

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) May 5, 2024

Meanwhile, PSG Talon delivered an impressive performance, eliminating FlyQuest to secure their place in the bracket stage.

In a rematch from the Play-Ins stage, PSG Talon dominated FlyQuest with strategic precision and relentless aggression, showcasing their strength as a minor region team.

With PSG Talon and Fnatic advancing to the bracket stage, the stage is set for high-stakes showdowns at MSI 2024.

Fnatic’s first challenge will be against Gen.G Esports from Korea, promising an intense battle between regions.

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In the opening series, FlyQuest made an impressive comeback to defeat PSG Talon 2-1, securing a spot in the upper bracket final of their group.

#FLYWIN @FlyQuest turn the series around and win the #MSI2024 opening match! pic.twitter.com/nfHngaSafA

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) May 1, 2024

Despite losing the first map, FlyQuest rallied behind standout performances from players like Gabriel “Bwipo” Rau and Fahad “Massu” Abdulmalek to clinch victory.

FlyQuest’s victory was marked by their resilience and individual brilliance.

Bwipo and Massu stood out, with Bwipo’s Urgot and Massu’s Lucian proving instrumental in their team’s success.

In the decisive third match, Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen’s Orianna led the charge, culminating in a game-winning quadra kill.

T1, the two-time Mid-Season Invitational champion, also started strong with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Estral Esports.

2-0 win for @T1LoL! #MSI2024 pic.twitter.com/FAe3HehYSb

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) May 1, 2024

Despite Estral’s resistance, T1’s strategic prowess and objective control secured the win.

Moon “Oner” Hyeon-joon’s stellar performance on Viego in the second game highlighted T1’s dominance.

The opening day showcased intense competition and impressive gameplay, drawing in record-breaking viewership numbers.

The matches collectively garnered around 4.8 million hours watched, with peak viewership surpassing 1.5 million — a significant increase compared to previous tournaments.

T1’s involvement and the favourable time zone for Korean fans contributed to the high viewership.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on FlyQuest and T1 as they aim to secure their spots in the Bracket Stage, while Estral and PSG Talon will fight to stay alive in the lower bracket.

With such an electrifying start, MSI 2024 promises to be one of the most thrilling tournaments in League of Legends history.

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The League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) has rarely produced competitive teams on the international stage. So even though FlyQuest only really struggled against Team Liquid in the LCS, their domestic success doesn’t mean much on the international stage.

FlyQuest field a few experienced players, namely Gabri?l “Bwipo” Rau and Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen, but the same applies to PSG Talon. The Pacific Championship Series (PCS) winners not only field seasoned players; they also have some of the top individual talent from the region, including mid laner Huang “Maple” Yi-Tang, ADC Lu “Betty” Yu-Hung, and jungler Yu “JunJia” Chun-Chia.

It can’t be overstated how stacked PSG Talon are, and while they’re rightly priced as favourites, even at $1.84, they’re very cheap. They field better players who are far more experienced on the international stage, and they’ve performed better throughout the split in a tougher league.

This could be the biggest mismatch of the tournament as LoL World Championship title holders T1 take on Liga Latinoamérica (LLA) champions Estral Esports. The underdogs are given a 6.4% implied probability of upsetting the Korean giants, so it’s easy to see how the game should end.

The kill line for this match is set at 14.5, which is an absurdly high number — especially considering how T1 like to play. With a 15.9 average kills per game in LCK 2024 Spring and the league’s shortest average game duration (30:38), T1 are not a bloody team — nor the type to play with their food.

This makes backing Estral Esports to keep T1 within 14 kills an inviting choice, but taking under 25.5 total kills makes more sense. Unless you believe Estral can show any meaningful resistance, this should be a quick match with few kills.

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Among the matchups, the defending LoL World Champions, T1, will take on Estral Esports, marking the start of what promises to be an exhilarating tournament at the Chengdu Financial City Performing Arts Center in China.

Estral Esports faces an uphill battle, with most of their lineup having limited international experience.

For instance, former FlyQuest jungler Brandon “Josedeodo” Joel Villegas has only attended Worlds 2020 with Rainbow7, while Cristian “Cody” Sebastián Quispe Yampara and Gabriel “Ackerman” Aparicio have seen action in MSI and Worlds in 2021.

On the other hand, T1 arrives with the weight of their recent World Championship win and a determination to redeem their loss to Gen.G in the LCK grand final.

In another matchup, FlyQuest will clash with PSG Talon, while Top Esports and LOUD will go head-to-head.

Fnatic, meanwhile, will face off against GAM Esports, setting the stage for an electrifying start to the tournament.

Expectations are high for the major region representatives to advance to the second round of the upper bracket.

If predictions hold, FlyQuest could potentially meet T1, while Fnatic may challenge one of China’s top teams, Top Esports.

However, the inclusion of a lower bracket offers a second chance for teams that stumble in the initial rounds, adding an extra layer of excitement and narrative to the event.

MSI 2024 introduces significant format changes, requiring second-seeded teams from major regions to navigate the play-in stage.

With powerhouses like Top Esports and T1 in the mix, the play-in bracket promises to be one of the most action-packed in LoL history.

As MSI approaches on May 1 in Chengdu, China, fans eagerly await the unfolding drama and excitement as teams vie for glory on the international stage.

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This departure marks the end of Japan and LATAM’s presence in the prestigious League of Legends event, and it’s worth noting that both these teams were the sole representatives for their respective regions.

Movistar R7’s elimination came at the hands of the Vietnamese team GAM Esports.

While they displayed some initial promise in their opening series against PSG Talon, Movistar was defeated in 0-2 fashion.

This unfortunate trend continued as they fell 0-2 again, this time to GAM.

The series wasn’t even close, with GAM dominating Movistar R7 in two relatively quick games lasting 26 and 31 minutes.

In the first game, GAM surged ahead with 19 kills to Movistar’s 6, and they held a substantial 13.1k gold lead by the end.

GAM’s ADC, Nguy?n “Slayder” Linh V??ng, showcased an impressive 8/0/5 performance on Xayah, and Duy “Levi” Duy Khánh on Wukong contributed with a 6/2/11 game.

On Movistar’s side, Jeong “Mireu” Jo-bin’s Sylas with a 4/4/1 scoreline was the only silver lining in the game.

The second game was even more challenging for Movistar R7, as Nguy?n “Slayder” Linh V??ng continued to shine on Xayah with a 9/2/5 performance.

Additionally, ?? “Levi” Duy Khánh on Vi seemed unstoppable, posting a 4/1/13 performance.

GAM ultimately closed out the game with a commanding 13.5k gold lead and 24 kills, while Movistar managed to secure only 7 kills.

REVENGE FOR #MSI2023:@GAMesportsVN take the 2-0 win against @Rainbow7lol and keep their Swiss Stage hopes alive! #Worlds2023 pic.twitter.com/MrcRuSFCGE

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) October 13, 2023

DFM’s journey in the tournament also came to an abrupt end after they faced the European representative, Team BDS.

Team BDS had previously been pushed to the lower bracket following an unexpected reverse sweep by Vietnam’s Team Whales in the upper bracket.

Unfortunately, DFM’s fate mirrored their LATAM counterparts, as they were eliminated with a 0-2 series loss.

The first game of their series against Team BDS was incredibly tight, with BDS securing a narrow victory in 26 minutes and an 11.1k gold lead.

BDS’s midlaner, Ilias “nuc” Bizriken, emerged as the standout performer with a dominant 6/0/3 game on Jayce.

In the second game, BDS demonstrated a cleaner performance, claiming a victory with a 16.6k gold lead in 28 minutes.

BDS’s ADC, Ju? “Crownie” Maru?i?, redeemed himself with a remarkable 10/1/5 performance on Xayah.

#BDSWIN @TeamBDS take the clean 2-0 against @team_detonation! #Worlds2023 pic.twitter.com/Uqb8GhaKBr

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) October 13, 2023

After surviving elimination against Movistar R7 and DetonatioN FocusMe, in their respective series, GAM Esports will clash with LOUD and Team BDS will meet CTBC Flying Oyster on Saturday.

The winner of each series will qualify for round two of the Play-In stage, where PSG Talon and Team Whales await the victor of Saturday’s series.

Saturday’s Play-In series

• LOUD ($1.57 vs GAM Esports ($2.25) @ 3pm KST
• CTBC Flying Oyster ($4.00 vs Team BDS ($1.22) @ 6pm KST

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LOUD and PSG Talon took care of business in the first round of Group A and are now just two series away from securing a ticket for the main event. Both teams looked good in their openers, and from afar, there doesn’t seem to be much separating them quality-wise.

But there’s a reason why PSG Talon are priced as $1.57 betting site favourites for this match. Even though teams were expected to struggle a bit early into the tournament due to the meta shift, PSG Talon looked very composed and performed well against Movistar R7. Admittedly, it’s easy to look good against a weaker team, but PSG Talon didn’t make many errors.

LOUD had a more explosive win, mainly due to how they and GAM Esports like to play, but this also helped hide LOUD’s numerous mistakes, which a better team would’ve punished. LOUD can sneak in a map if they catch PSG Talon off guard early, but this is PSG Talon’s game to lose.

GAM Esports and Movistar R7 will clash on Thursday, October 12, in Group A Losers’ Bracket after both teams suffered heavy losses in the first round of the League of Legends Worlds 2023 Play-In Stage. GAM Esports got humiliated by LOUD (0-2), while Movistar R7 proved to be no match for the Pacific Championship Series (PCS) champions, Talon Esports.

Due to how badly GAM Esports and Movistar R7 played on Tuesday, it’s difficult to take much from the first two games— at least, it’s hard to find many positives. GAM Esports were a bit more competitive on the second map of the series, but they made way too many mistakes to feel overly confident in their chances to deliver even against a weaker opponent.

Movistar R7 got smashed by PSG Talon, but unlike GAM, Movistar R7 didn’t let the game get completely out of hand. That doesn’t make LLA representatives a better team, but the eye test proves that Movistar R7 played better than GAM Esports.

GAM Esports still fields better players, which could give them the edge needed to come out ahead. But based on what they showed on Tuesday, GAM shouldn’t be priced as 1.40 favourites with GG Bet.

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The LoL World Championship 2023 kicks off on Tuesday, with the opening Play-In clash between Liga Latinoamérica (LLA) champions Movistar R7 and Pacific Championship Series (PCS) representatives PSG Talon. The two teams have never met before, but they both attended Mid-Season Invitational 2023 in May.

PSG Talon are priced as heavy favourites to defeat Movistar R7, mainly because the PCS is a stronger league than the LLA. Regions’ perceived strength is also the only way to measure the teams’ strength. And yet, neither team accomplished much at MSI 2023.

Movistar R7 looked decent at the MSI 2023, where they beat GAM Esports, while PSG Talon defeated DetonatioN FocusMe and LOUD but lost the LCQ match against Golden Guardians. Movistar R7 have since not made any roster changes, but they were far more dominant domestically, winning the LLA regular season and playoffs without issues.

This doesn’t make Movistar R7 a better team; however, this is still the first match of the tournament on a new patch and between two teams from minor regions. Movistar R7 winning a map isn’t the craziest thing that can happen.

LOUD and GAM Esports return to an international stage after both teams failed to achieve much at the Mid-Season Invitational 2023 in May. GAM Esports ended the tournament in last place, while LOUD placed 10th-11th with one win against DetonatioN FocusMe.

Like the first match of the day, this is a clash between two minor-region teams, but we can say that the Vietnamese and Brazilian leagues are fairly even quality-wise. Another thing worth remembering is that both regions are known for their aggressive playstyle.

This match can go both ways, but we can be sure the series will be bloody. LOUD have averaged 15.6 kills and 12.1 deaths per game, while GAM Esports are at 17.5 kills and 13 deaths per game this season. This, combined with the fact that both teams are bad at closing out games, makes over 29.5 kills an inviting bet, with this option available at many different esports betting sites.

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