It’s finally time for our first major international League of Legends event of 2021 as the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) gets underway.

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It seems like an age since we last had an international event, and the lack of the 2020 MSI event hasn’t been forgotten. Now, in 2021 we have an MSI, and it’s on LAN, and we couldn’t be happier. In this article, we’ll give you all the information you need about MSI 2021.

Where can I watch MSI 2021?

As always, the best bet is lolesports.com. You can watch on a variety of platforms through that and see live stats during the games. Or if you want it even easier, you can just head to the official Riot Games Twitch stream.

When does MSI 2021 start?

The 2021 MSI gets underway on Thursday, May 6. As of publishing, the Grand Final is due to take place on May 22.

Due to the event being an international event being hosted during the pandemic, there’s a significant gap between the end of most regular seasons and the event. This was also lengthened by the later start and longer duration of certain leagues’ Spring Split.

What teams will be at MSI?

Twelve teams in total will attend MSI this year, each winning their regional league. They are divided into four pools, which split apart into three groups, one team from each pool being in a group.

Pool One:

• China: TBD (April 18)
• Korea: DWG KIA
• Europe: MAD Lions

Pool Two:

• North America: Cloud9
• PCS: TBD (April 18)
• Vietnam: TBD (April 18)

Pool Three:

• CIS: TBD
• Latin America: Infinity Esports
• Turkey: TBD

Pool Four:

• Brazil: TBD
• Japan: DetonatioN FocusMe
• Oceania: PentanetGG

The aforementioned groups for the Group Stage are as follows:

Group A:

• LPL Spring Champion (TBD)
• VCS Spring Champion (TBD)
• LCL Spring Champion (TBD)
• Pentanet.GG

Group B:

• MAD Lions
• PCS Spring Champion (TBD)
• TCL Winter Champion (TBD)
• CBLOL Split 1 Champion (TBD)

Group C:

• DAMWON Gaming KIA
• Cloud9
• Infinity Esports
• DetonatioN FocusMe

What is the MSI format?

This year, MSI will feature three groups of four teams. The regions have been placed into pools, then divided up. Previously, the lower-ranked regions had to battle it out in play-in stages. For 2021, and with the risk of COVID-19 still looming, Riot Games has opted to throw everyone right into the group stage.

Below you’ll see how the rules will play out across the three stages, starting in groups, before heading to the new “Rumble” stage. Basically, come first or second and advanced, come the six remaining sides will then play in a smaller knockout event, with the top four advancing.

Event Information

• Location: Laugardalshöll Sport Center, Reykjavik
• Prize Pool: TBA

Stage 1 (Groups)

• Teams are drawn into three groups based on seeding
• Double Round Robin
• Matches are best of one
• Top two teams from each group advance to Stage 2
• The remaining teams move down to the Rumble

Stage 2 (Rumble)

• Double Round Robin
• Matches are best of one
• The top four teams advance to Stage 3
• The remaining teams go home

Stage 3 (Knockout)

• Single elimination bracket
• Matches are best of five

Who’s favorite to win MSI 2021?

It’s going to be fair to assume that China or Korea will be favorites. North America will be feeling good after Cloud9 qualified, while Europe has sent the hungry MAD Lions. As for the rest, Turkey and Vietnam are always worth a look, though the likelihood of anyone outside the top four regions taking the title is unlikely.

Additional World spot up from grabs

MSI 2021 adds a new layer of importance to the mid-season event. This year the winner of MSI will be given an extra spot at Worlds 2021. So if China were to win the event, the region as a whole would gain another slot, which is enough to spread fear to many other regions.

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Source: https://estnn.com/lol-everything-you-need-to-know-about-msi-2021/