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Riot Games have unveiled a significant increase in prize pools for their premier League of Legends esports tournaments in 2025, setting a new benchmark for the competitive scene.
The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2025 will feature a US$2 million prize pool, while the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) 2025 will offer an unprecedented US$5 million—more than double the US$2.25 million awarded in 2024.
The announcement was made by Chris Greeley, Global Head of LoL Esports, ahead of the First Stand finals in Seoul.
Riot’s commitment to growing the ecosystem extends beyond just increasing prize money, with a focus on sustainability and opportunities for both professional and amateur teams.
The revised prize pools mark a dramatic shift in Riot’s investment strategy.
MSI 2024 previously stood at just US$250,000, but in 2025, teams will compete for eight times that amount.
The First Stand Tournament, which kicked off the season, already introduced a US$1 million prize, quadrupling the previous MSI total.
Beyond the guaranteed prize money, Riot Games plans to further supplement tournament earnings through digital merchandise sales.
Exclusive in-game items, such as the newly announced Battle Academia Xayah skin, will be introduced in update 25.6, offering fans a way to contribute directly to the competitive scene.
Past initiatives, including team-specific emotes, have also provided additional financial support to teams and events.
While these financial boosts are substantial, Greeley emphasised that Riot’s primary goal is not just revenue generation but long-term sustainability.
“The goal of LoL Esports is not to become a high-revenue operation; we are focusing on building a self-sustaining ecosystem,” Greeley stated.
“We are in constant communication with teams, working on strategies to ensure financial viability and exploring new ways to generate revenue that benefit the entire ecosystem.”
To further develop future talent, Riot is continuing their investment in grassroots and scouting initiatives.
Programs like “LoL The Next” in Korea, “Scouting Grounds” in North America, and regional scouting efforts in Europe are all part of the company’s vision to maintain a thriving professional pipeline for years to come.
With the expanded prize pools and increasing tournament stakes, Riot acknowledges the challenges that come with a packed competitive calendar.
Greeley confirmed that the company is already reviewing the 2025 schedule to allow teams better preparation time and to avoid burnout among players.
LoL Worlds 2025 is set to take place in China from October 4 to November 2, featuring 17 of the world’s best teams competing for the Summoner’s Cup and a share of the record-breaking prize pool.
With these financial and structural commitments, Riot Games is positioning League of Legends esports for sustained success in the years ahead.
