League of Legends is currently the most popular e-sports event in the world, and it is also one of the official events of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. The League of Legends Global Finals (referred to as worlds) is the most honorable, gold-rich, and well-known competition among all League of Legends events (held once a year). It is also the competitive stage that all professional LoL players aspire to be on. So far, the League of Legends Global Finals has been held for twelve sessions (S1-S12). In this article, Yujiangpark will take you to understand the history of the previous S championships and the winning rate rankings from S1 to S12. Let’s take a look!
At the time of the S1 season, LOL was in its infancy and could not be professionalized, but it was very popular. It can be said that the team at that time did not have any tactical reserve system, and everything was still in the exploratory stage of crossing the river by feeling stones. Fnatic finally defeated the aAa team and won the first world championship. Only 8 teams participated in the first LOL Global Finals, namely: CLG, FNC, GDE, aAa, TSM, EPIK, Xan (Singapore), and Pacific (Philippines). The group stage points are as shown in the figure below. The 8 teams are divided into two groups to play a round-robin match (bo1 format), and the top 3 in each group advance to the next round. FNC went 1-2 in the group stage, losing to EPIK and aAa respectively.
The knockout round + final is a bo3 competition system. The specific competition situation is as shown in the picture below. Is there a shadow of the double-elimination competition system? FNC played a total of 4 bo3s, with 8 wins and 2 losses, plus 1 win and 2 losses in the group stage, for a total of 9 wins and 4 losses, with a winning rate of 69.2%. S1 champion skins: Karthus, Jarvan IV, Gragas, Corchi, Janna.
S2 belongs to the era of competition among heroes. There are 12 teams participating in the second LOL Global Finals, namely: Taiwan TPA, South Korea AZF, IG, WE, TSM, CLG.EU, M5, NJS, Vietnam SAJ, SK, DIG, CLG.NA. The S2 championship was won by the TPA team from Taiwan. No one was optimistic about TPA before the start of the competition, but TPA eventually counterattacked as a dark horse. They defeated two Korean teams and a European team and successfully won the championship trophy. TPA's victory is of great significance. This team from Taiwan, China invented a tactic that is still used today: four-and-one point push. Note: The TPA team was acquired by Jay Chou's company in 2016 and was officially renamed "J Team".
Yujiangpark has also popularized it in previous articles. The selection system of the S2-S3 World Championship was different from now. At that time, 4 teams from 4 regions in the world could directly enter the top 8 (M5, WE, TPA, and TSM were Europe, The seeded teams from China, Southeast Asia, and North America will advance directly to the quarterfinals). The remaining 8 teams are divided into two groups to play a round-robin match (bo1 format), and the top 2 in each group advance to the next round. The top four and semi-finals are BO3, and the final is BO5. TPA did not play in the group stage and directly entered the top 8. The specific situation of the knockout + finals is shown in the figure below. TPA played two bo3s and one bo5, with a total of 7 wins and 2 losses, with a winning rate of 77.8%. S2 champion skins: Shen, Mundo, Clockwork, ez, Nunu.
There are 14 teams participating in the third LOL Global Finals, namely: FNC, LD, GMB, C9, TSM, VL, RYL, OMG, NJS, SSO, SKT, GAB, MSK, and wild card GG.EU. Among them, GAB, NJS, RYL, and C9 are the seed teams in Southeast Asia, South Korea, China, and North America respectively, and directly advance to the quarterfinals. The remaining 10 teams are divided into two groups AB for a double round-robin BO1 points competition. The top two teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals, the top four teams are BO3, and the semi-finals and finals are BO5. The S3 champion was the SKT team from South Korea. At that time, Faker was recognized by the outside world as one of the strongest mid laners in the world. In the S3 era, operation was more important than anything else, and there were no particularly OP heroes or tactics. SKT dominated this global finals. From the group stage to the knockout rounds and then to the finals, SKT only lost three games.
The group stage points are shown in the figure below. SKT only lost to OMG in the group stage, with a record of 7 wins and 1 loss.
The specific situation of the knockout round + finals is shown in the figure below. SKT played 1 bo3 and two bo5, with a total of 8 wins and 2 losses. Adding 7 wins and 1 loss in the group stage, the total was 15 wins and 3 losses, with a total winning rate of 83.3% . S3 champion skins: Jax, Blind Sin, Zed, Vayne, Zyra.
There are 16 teams participating in the fourth LOL Global Finals, namely: ALL, FNC, SK, TSM, C9, LMQ, EDG, SHR, OMG, SSB, SSW, NJWS, AHQ, TPA, wild card DP and KBM. At the beginning of the S4 finals, the competition also adopted a new lottery grouping method. The 16 teams are divided into four groups for a double round-robin BO1 points competition. The top two teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals. All knockout matches are in a BO5 format. The S4 champion is SSW from South Korea, which is recognized by players as one of the strongest teams in LOL history. SSW's tactical system was very advanced at the time, such as Yesuke's coordinated roaming. Whether it was ssw's control of vision or tight and suffocating operations, it opened the door to new game understanding ideas for many subsequent teams. It is worth mentioning that after the end of the S4 season, due to Riot's restructuring, SSW was disbanded shortly after winning the S4 championship, and the players were also bought one by one by teams in other divisions.
The specific situation of the knockout + finals is shown in the figure below. SSW played 3 bo5s, with a total of 9 wins and 2 losses, plus 6 wins and 0 losses in the group stage, a total of 15 wins and 2 losses, with a winning rate of 88.2% . S4 champion skins: Singed, Rengar, Talon, Twitch, Thresh
There are 16 teams participating in the fifth LOL Global Finals, namely: FNC, H2K, OG, CLG, TSM, C9, LGD, EDG, IG, SKT, KOO, KT, AHQ, FW, wild card PNG and BKT. The S5 finals continues the S4 competition format: 16 teams are divided into four groups for a double-round BO1 points competition. The top two teams in the group advance to the quarterfinals (i.e. quarterfinals) and then the semifinals. All knockout matches in the finals are BO5 competition format. The S5 champion is SKT from South Korea after the reorganization. The changes in this world championship version have made the top laner who is good at heavy warriors shine. SKT's top laner Marin's operation amazed audiences around the world, and this year's FMVP was also won by Marin.
The group stage points are shown in the figure below. SKT has 6 wins and 0 losses in the group stage, winning all of them. The opponents in the same group at that time were EDG, H2k and wild card BKT.
The specific situation of the knockout round + finals is shown in the figure below. SKT played 3 bo5s, with a total of 9 wins and 1 loss. In addition to 6 wins and 0 losses in the group stage, the total was 15 wins and 1 loss, with a winning rate of 93.8% . S5 champion skins: Renekton, Elise, Kalista, Alistar, Ryze, Tsar (Marquis’ champion skin)
There are 16 teams participating in the 6th LOL Global Finals, namely: G2, H2K, SPY, TSM, CLG, C9, EDG, RNG, IM, ROX, SKT, SSG, FW, AHQ, wild card INTZ/and ANX . The competition format is the same as that of S5, but starting from the S6 finals, Riot Games tried for the first time to introduce game props into the prize pool. The champion of S6 is still SKT, which has also become the first team in the history of LOL to defend the world championship. For the LPL and other divisions, that period is also called the SKT dominance period or the LCK dominance period. It is worth mentioning that in the semi-finals, SKT and ROX staged the "LCK Civil War" and jointly played an epic bo5.
The group stage points are as shown in the figure below. SKT has 5 wins and 1 loss in the group stage, ranking first in the group. The opponents in the same group at that time were C9, IM and Flash Wolves FW.
The specific situation of the knockout round + finals is shown in the figure below. SKT played 3 bo3s, with a total of 9 wins and 5 losses. Adding 5 wins and 1 loss in the group stage, the total was 14 wins and 6 losses, with a winning rate of 70% . S6 champion skins: Ekko, Olaf, Syndra, Nami, Jhin, Zac.
There are 24 teams participating in the seventh LOL Global Finals, namely: G2, MSF, FNC, TSM, IMT, C9, EDG, RNG, WE, LZ, SKT, SSG, FW, AHQ, HKA, GAM, YG, FB, RPG, KLG, LYN, ONE, GMB, DW. The competition system of the S7 World Championship has undergone changes, and the qualifying stage has been added before the group stage. Competition format: The No. 3 seeds and 8 wild card teams from the four LOL major regions will be grouped into two rounds of qualifying rounds to compete for 4 places in the group stage. The format of the group stages, knockout rounds and finals remains the same as before. The champion of S7 is SSG. Like SSW, the champion of S4, they are both teams invested by South Korea's Samsung Corporation. The finals were held at the Bird's Nest in Beijing.
The group stage points are shown in the figure below. SSG lost 4-2 in the group stage and qualified second in the group. It is worth mentioning that SSG that year was double-killed by RNG in the same group. LPL commentator Miller's classic quote: "11-0, I can play even if I play!" It came from the group stage match between rng and ssg. S7 was also the year that the reorganized RNG came closest to winning the S game.
The specific situation of the knockout + finals is shown in the figure below. SSG played 3 Bo5, 9 wins and 1 loss, plus 4 wins and 2 losses in the group stage, a total of 13 wins and 3 losses, with a winning rate of 81.2%. S7 champion skins: Gnar, Prince, Thalia, Xayah, Rakan, Ezreal
There are also 24 teams participating in the 8th LOL Global Finals, namely: FNC, VIT, G2, TL, 100T, C9, RNG, IG, EDG, KT, AFS, GEN, FW, MAD, GRX, ASC, SUP, DFM, KLG, INF, KBM, GMB, DW, PVB. The S8 Global Finals continues the previous competition format. The champion of S8 is the IG team from the LPL division. IG is not very outstanding in the LPL league because all its glory was taken away by RNG, which won 5 championships in a year. But IG performed extremely well after coming to the World Championship. It became the first team in the LPL to win the S competition, and also broke the dominance of the LCK S competition. IG's victory that year attracted great attention from domestic players.
The group stage points are shown in the picture below. IG lost 5-1 in the group stage, losing only to FNC in the same group. Interestingly, both teams reached the finals, continuing the story of meeting again at the top. In the end, IG completed its revenge 3-0 in the final!
The specific situation of the knockout + finals is shown in the figure below. IG played 3 bo5s, with a total of 9 wins and 2 losses, plus 5 wins and 1 loss in the group stage, a total of 14 wins and 4 losses, with a winning rate of 77.8%. S8 champion skins: Fiona, Irelia, Camille, LeBlanc, Kai'Sa, Rakan
There are 24 teams participating in the 9th LOL Global Finals, namely: G2, FNC, SPY, TL, C9, CG, FPX, RNG, IG, SKT, GRF, DWG, JT, AHQ, HKA, GAM, LK, MG, RYL, DFM, ISG, FLA, UOL, MMM. The competition format of S9 remains unchanged as before. The champion of S9 is the FPX team from the LPL division. So far, the LPL division has achieved two consecutive championships in the S competition. This FPX is undoubtedly the dark horse team of the year, with Jin Gong's captain, Tian's blind monk, doinb's roaming support and FPX's proud four-pack-two tactics, lwx's immortality in the finals, and Liu Qingsong's unbreakable team. These are the best memories of little Phoenix.
The group stage points are shown in the figure below. FPX qualified in the group stage with 5 wins and 2 losses (1 extra game). The group stage was stumbling. The start was not smooth and they also performed poorly in the second round of the group stage. Fortunately, in the end Qualified first in the playoff group.
The specific situation of the knockout + finals is shown in the figure below. FPX played 3 bo5s, with a total of 9 wins and 2 losses, plus 5 wins and 2 losses in the group stage, a total of 14 wins and 4 losses, with a winning rate of 77.8% . S9 champion skins: Gangplank, Blind Sin, Thing, Venn, Thresh
There are 24 teams participating in the 9th LOL Global Finals, namely: G2, FNC, RGE, MAD, TSM, FLY, TL, TES, JDG, SN, LGD, DWG, DRX, GEN, FL, GAM, MCX, PSG, SUP, V3, R7, INTZ, UOL, LGC. The S10 World Championship format has been adjusted, with the addition of the No. 4 seed. In addition, the Vietnam VCS division is unable to participate, and the LCK No. 3 seed directly enters the group stage. The champion of S10 is the DWG team from the LCK division. DWG's strength in the S10 period can be described as terrifying. Not only was it sideways in the LCK division, but it was also completely dominant in the World Championship. Note: BeryL pioneered the use of auxiliary experience, and must be upgraded to level 6 before the first Canyon Pioneer.
The group stage points are as shown in the figure below. DWG has 5 wins and 1 loss in the group stage, and the first place in the group advances. The opponents in the same group at that time were JDG, PSG, and RGE.
The specific situation of the knockout + finals is shown in the figure below. DWG played 3 bo5s, with a total of 9 wins and 2 losses, plus 5 wins and 1 loss in the group stage, a total of 14 wins and 3 losses, with a winning rate of 82.4% . S10 champion skins: Kennen, Nidalee, Drizzt, Jhin, Leona
There are 22 teams participating in the 11th LOL Global Finals, namely: EDG, DK, T1, GEN, HLE, RNG, MAD, C9, RGE, 100, PSG, TL, LNG, FPX, DFM, FNC, BYG, PCE, GS, RED, INF, UOL. The competition format is similar to the previous one. Due to epidemic prevention and control, the original venue in China was changed to Europe, and the two teams from the Vietnam VCS division were still unable to participate. The champion of S11 is the EDG team from the LPL division. It became the third LPL team to win the S championship. This year, EDG built a lineup of 50 million and went to pieces. After defeating RNG in the top 8 knockout rounds, they were surrounded by three lck teams. However, in the end, EDG had the last laugh and won the S competition trophy, which symbolizes the highest honor. After the game, the news of EDG winning the championship flooded the screen, and major media rushed to report it.
The group stage points are shown in the picture below. EDG had 4 wins and 2 losses in the group stage. Their opponents in the same group at that time were T1, 100, and DFM.
The specific situation of the knockout round + finals is shown in the figure below. EDG played 3 bo5s and played all the hands, with a total of 9 wins and 6 losses. Adding 4 wins and 2 losses in the group stage, the total was 13 wins and 8 losses, with a winning rate of 61.9% . S11 champion skins: Nanqiang, Foyego, Zoe, Aphelios, Yuumi
There are 24 teams participating in the 12th LOL Global Finals, namely: DRX, T1, JDG, GEN, RGE, RNG, DK, EDG, FNC, TES, EG, G2, 100, CHF, C9, GAM, MAD, DFM, SGB, LLL, BYG, ISG, CHF, IW. The champion of S12 is the DRX team from the LCK division. DRX has created too many miracles this year: they stepped into the playoffs in the summer split, and qualified for the World Championship after two rounds of five fierce battles in the Bubble Tournament. When they came to the World Championship, they were still not favored. From the finals to the finals, from the fourth seed to the championship, DRX's journey is more dark horse than dark horse. No novel dares to write about it like this. It is so inspiring and truly interprets the theme of S12 one & only.
DRX won all 5 games in the qualifying round. The group stage points are as shown in the figure below. DRX went 4(+1)-2 in the group stage and qualified first in the playoff group. The opponents in the same group are RGE, TES, and GAM.
The specific situation of the knockout + finals is shown in the figure below. DRX played 3 bo5s, with a total of 9 wins and 5 losses, plus 5 wins and 0 losses in the playoffs, and 5 wins and 2 losses in the group stage, for a total of 19 wins and 7 losses, with a winning rate of 73% . The S12 champion skins are expected to be: Sword Demon, Kindred, Akali, Policewoman, Ashe, and Big Tree
Summary : Based on the winning rate of previous S championships from seasons 1 to 12, the most terrifying one is SKT of S5, with 15 wins and 1 loss, with a winning rate of 93.8%. The champion with the lowest winning rate is EDG of S11, with a winning rate of only 61.9%, mainly in each game. BO5 is full. In addition, when it comes to which year's S championship is the strongest, the answer in most players' minds is S5's SKT and S4's SSW. I personally feel that SSW has the strongest dominance, and its tactical system is too far ahead of other teams. It leads the team by an average of 15,000 gold per game and an average of 10,000 gold per game in 20 minutes. If it weren't for the restructuring of Riot Games, which did not allow two teams under one club to compete in the professional league in the region, it is difficult to imagine what heights SSW would have reached. Finally, which S-race champion is the most dominant in your opinion? Everyone is welcome to leave a message in the comment area for discussion and exchange!