League of Legends Worlds (often called LoL Worlds) has delivered countless unforgettable esports moments—every season adds new drama, skill, and rivalries. In this article, we’ll look at some of the greatest Worlds matches ever: those that set viewership records, changed legacies, and defined careers.
LoL Worlds Highlights: What Makes a Match “Great”
To call a match one of the greatest, multiple factors usually come into play:
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Back-and-forth momentum: games that swing wildly, with comebacks.
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High stakes: playoff games, finals, or when legacies are on the line.
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Iconic individual plays: clutch moments, outplays, unexpected heroics.
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Massive viewership & fan impact: when the community feels the match for years after.
With those in mind, let’s dive into some of the most memorable LoL Worlds matches ever.
LoL Worlds Highlights: DRX vs T1 in 2022 FIFA‐Style Finals
One of the matches often cited as among the greatest is the 2022 Worlds Final, between DRX and T1.
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DRX started from the play-in stage as a lower seed, meaning they had to qualify under extra pressure.
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The final was a best-of-five series. After two or more matches, both teams kept trading victories, leading to a full five games. The drama in Game 5 was intense.
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DRX won 3-2, marking a Cinderella run and smashes many expectations.
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Viewership was massive: peak viewers in the millions. It became symbolic of how even an underdog team can rise in the highest stage.
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This match scores high on nearly every criteria: back-and-forth, stakes, community impact, and legendary performances.
LoL Worlds Highlights: T1 vs BLG in 2024 Finals — A Record-Breaker
The 2024 Worlds Final between T1 and BLG (Bilibili Gaming) is another match etched into LoL history.
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T1 came in as defending champions. They were under pressure to retain their title.
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The final turned into a nail-biter. BLG took games early; T1 came back. The series went all five games. Final score: 3-2 to T1.
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The match broke viewership records. The peak concurrent viewers (excluding China) were 6.9 million, making it one of the most-watched esports matches ever.
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Faker, the legendary midlaner, secured another World Championship, reinforcing his legacy.
The mix of high skill, risk, tension, and massive fan reactions makes this match a modern classic.
LoL Worlds Highlights: SKT vs ROX Tigers Semifinal 2016 — Arrow + Drama
Looking further back, the 2016 semifinal between SKT (SK Telecom T1) and ROX Tigers remains one of the greatest series.
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One iconic moment was PraY’s arrow (Ashe’s ultimate) across the map that changed the flow of one game. Moments like that are what LoL Worlds lore is built on.
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That series had long, intense matches. One game lasted over 70 minutes, a rare endurance test for both teams.
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SKT eventually won the series, but ROX Tigers pushed them hard, making it memorable. The rivalry, the tension, and the subtle plays make this match unforgettable.
LoL Worlds Highlights: Other Legendary Plays & Moments
Beyond finals and series, certain plays stand alone as moments that define Worlds history. Fans keep re-watching these.
From ONE Esports’ list of best gameplay moments:
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SKT T1’s Wombo Combo vs EDG (2017) — a play that turned what looked like a lost match into a comeback. The coordination, the timing, the impact.
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PraY’s arrow vs SKT (2016) — we already mentioned this; it’s iconic.
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Suning’s Bin pentakill in a Worlds final (2020) — pentakills in finals are rare and dramatic. This one was especially memorable.
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Jiejie’s Baron steal (Worlds 2021) — key moments like Baron or Elder Dragon steals can flip matches. This one is ranked among best plays.
These plays, whether in finals or earlier rounds, helped shape stories, fan memories, and the meta of pro League.
LoL Worlds Highlights: Viewership & Legacy
A great match is also one that unites fans globally. Lets look at how some matches impacted viewership and legacy.
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The 2024 final (T1 vs BLG) set viewership records: ~6.9 million peak (outside China). The 2022 final with DRX vs T1 also saw massive viewer numbers.
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T1 vs Gen.G seminar matches also broke viewership peaks, showing that fan investment in regional rivalries is huge.
Legacy: players from these matches (Faker, PraY, Deft, etc.) remain iconic. Matches like these influence game design, team approaches, and lore. They build identities—not just for players, but for teams and entire regions.
LoL Worlds Highlights: What Recent Worlds Tells Us
Looking ahead to LoL Worlds 2025, some patterns and expectations are emerging:
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The 2025 World Championship Final will be held on 9 November 2025 in Chengdu, China. It marks the first final under Riot’s new three-split structure.
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New roster changes, rising underdog teams, and fan anticipation suggest that the matches in the knockout stage will aim to achieve the same kinds of drama as past classics.
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Players and teams know the bar set by past matches; they’ll try not just to win, but to leave a mark: great plays, comebacks, clutch team fights.
LoL Worlds Highlights: What Fans Can Learn & Appreciate
For those who follow or want to get into LoL Worlds more deeply, these matches offer lessons:
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Drafting matters: surprise picks, counter-picks, and off-meta choices have swung many matches.
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Team synergy and momentum: comebacks often come when team coordination peaks; a single bad fight, missed smite, or mis-timed ultimate can turn a series.
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Mental endurance: long series, fatigue, pressure—pricing in mental game is crucial. Players who stay calm under pressure often shine.
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Fan narratives shape perception: underdog stories (like DRX in 2022), dynasty matchups (SKT), iconic individuals (Faker, PraY) amplify the weight of matches.
Conclusion
“LoL Worlds Highlights: The Greatest Matches Ever” isn’t just about final scores—it’s about the stories behind the games. DRX’s 2022 run, T1’s 2024 victory, SKT vs ROX’s 2016 battle, and the clutch individual plays throughout history form the backbone of what makes LoL Worlds legendary.
