League of Legends World Championship 2023 Knockout Stage Is Set

League of Legends World Championship 2023 Swiss Stage came to an end on Sunday, October 29, with the final three pairs of matches, which produced the final three teams that advanced to the knockout stage. Sunday was a painful day for all Western fans as they watched G2 Esports and Fnatic crash out of the tournament following close defeats against Bilibili Gaming and Weibo Gaming, leaving NRG Esports as the only Western team left in the tournament.

The LoL World Championship 2023 Playoff draw took place after the final match of the Swiss Stage, when the first four matches of the playoffs were revealed. And while the previous draws have produced quite a few unexciting pairs, it’s hard not to feel excited about the upcoming LoL Worlds knockout stage matches.

The LoL World Championship 2023 playoffs will kick off with a clash between Korea’s number one seed Gen.G and China’s no.2 seed, Bilibili Gaming, in what promises to be an exciting series. Gen.G ended the Swiss Stage with a perfect record and wins against GAM Esports, T1, and G2 Esports, whereas Bilibili Gaming had to play all five games after losing to JD Gaming and T1, but they managed to make it through with wins against KT Rolster, Fnatic, and G2 Esports.

The second match of the knockout stage will be contested between North America’s NRG Esports and China’s Weibo Gaming. NRG Esports are a surprise appearance in the LoL Worlds playoffs; as a team no one expected to make it far, but they defied all the odds and beat Team Liquid, MAD Lions, and G2 Esports to reach the tournament’s final stage.

Weibo Gaming had a much bumpier road through the Swiss Stage with defeats against G2 and KT Rolster, but they pulled it through with wins against NRG Esports, MAD Lions, and Fnatic. As two teams that haven’t had to play any tough opponents, NRG Esports and Weibo Gaming have much to prove, and they’ll have a chance to do so on Friday.

Saturday will serve us with a very exciting affair between KT Rolster and the tournament favourites, JD Gaming. KT Rolster qualified for the playoffs with a 3-2 record and wins against Dplus KIA (twice) and Weibo Gaming, whereas JD Gaming cruised through the first stage with wins against Team BDS, Bilibili Gaming, and LNG Esports.

The final match of the LoL Worlds 2023 quarterfinals will see LNG Esports clash with the three-time LoL Worlds champions T1, which should prove to be a proper test for both teams. T1 and LNG both proved their worth during the Swiss Stage and only lost against the top-seeded teams from their respective regions, proving to the world that they belong among the world’s best.

However, while most first-round matches looks relatively close, there can only be four teams that’ll advance to the semifinals and fight for a ticket for the grand finals.

LoL Worlds 2023 Playoffs begin on Thursday, November 2.