Riot Games confirms Iceland as League of Legends Worlds 2021 host

Riot has confirmed reports that the 2021 League of Legends World Championship will be held in Iceland. Previously, the company had announced that the competition would be moved from China to an unspecified location in Europe.

Riot Games has announced that the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik will host Worlds 2021.

Originally China was set to host the event, but the location was changed to Europe due to the logistical issues of getting all players and teams to China.

In a previous statement, Riot’s Global Head of Esports John Needham revealed that restrictions and protocols have been even more complicated in 2021 than they were for last year’s event, which was held in Shanghai. Shifting Worlds to Europe would be best for competitive integrity, as Riot couldn’t confirm that all qualifying teams would be able to fully attend in China.

• Read More: Who has qualified for LoL Worlds 2021? All teams, details

With European restrictions being more relaxed, Riot can ensure that Worlds can go ahead as planned with all teams.

Iceland confirmed for Worlds

The competition will take place at the familiar Laugardalshöll Indoor Sporting Arena. This is following the success of the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational and of the VALORANT Champions Tour Stage 2 Masters, both of which were held in the very same venue in May.

Riot have already proved that they can safely run an international tournament in Iceland while following all the country’s current restrictions.

In a video post on social media, Riot confirmed that the event will run from October 5 to November 6.

“We are thrilled to host an incredible Worlds experience in Iceland, the locale that provides us with the best opportunity for the most teams and their best players to compete,” said John Needham, Global Head of Esports at Riot Games.

“We have a strong lineup of Worlds contenders this year, and we cannot wait to see the best-of-the-best battle it out for a shot at the Summoner’s Cup.”

This is the second year in a row that Worlds will see some sort of effect due to the ongoing global health concerns after the 2020 event was played without an audience. Originally, the 2021 tournament was supposed to be in North America, but due to the worldwide issue, last year Riot wanted to give China the opportunity to host again with fans.

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The event this year was set to take place in multiple cities throughout the country, with the finals in Shenzhen, but Worlds will be returning to Europe after just a year break. In 2019, FunPlus Phoenix defeated Europe’s own G2 Esports 3-0 in the finals, held in Paris.