League of Legends Asia Invitational (ASI) 2025: A New Tournament for Top Regional Teams
A brand new League of Legends competition, the Asia Invitational (ASI), is set to take place from October 6th to 12th, 2025. This tournament will feature mid-table teams from the top three Asian leagues: the LPL, LCK, and LCP, offering them a chance to compete on an international stage just before Worlds 2025.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The ASI will consist of a group stage followed by a double-elimination bracket. The group stage will be played in best-of-three matches over four days. Group A will feature two LPL teams, one LCK team, and one LCP team. Group B will include two LCK teams, one LPL team, and one LCP team. Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the playoffs.
The playoffs will be a double-elimination bracket, with all matches being best-of-three except for the grand final, which will be a best-of-five series. The total prize pool for the event is 1.5 million yuan (EUR 178,000), with the winner taking home 600,000 yuan (EUR 71,212).
- Group Stage: October 6 - October 9
- Playoffs: October 10 - October 12
Participating Teams and Potential Contenders
The ASI will feature the teams that placed 5th, 6th, and 7th in the LCK and LPL, along with the 4th and 5th-place teams from the LCP. While the official list of participants is not yet confirmed, potential contenders have emerged. From the LCK, teams like Nongshim RedForce, BNK FearX, and possibly Dplus KIA or T1 are likely contenders.
The LPL representatives are expected to be Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP) and EDward Gaming (EDG), along with a third team determined through the Regional Finals. From the LCP, GAM Esports and MGN Vikings Esports are highly anticipated participants.
The Significance of the Asia Invitational
Even though the ASI features mid-table teams, the high level of competition in the LCK, LPL, and LCP ensures that these teams can still be serious contenders. The tournament provides a platform for top-class players who narrowly missed qualifying for Worlds to gain valuable international experience and exposure.
The ASI is expected to be an online event. This tournament offers fans insight into the strength of different regions and sets the stage for future competitions, including Worlds 2025. It can be seen as the "Europa League" of League of Legends, giving teams that didn't qualify for the main event a chance to compete internationally.
