The Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2024 was Riot Games' first international event of the year, taking place from May 1 to May 19 in Chengdu, China. Twelve teams from around the world competed from the Play-In stage to the grand final, where 12,000 spectators at the Financial City Performing Arts Center witnessed Gen.G defeat Bilibili Gaming 3-1 to claim the trophy. For Jeong "Chovy" Ji-hoon and his teammates, this victory marked a long-awaited breakthrough on the international stage after years of domestic dominance in the LCK.

Overview and expectations

The four champions from the major regions (LCK, LPL, LEC, and LCS) were directly qualified for the Bracket Stage, with Gen.G, Bilibili Gaming, G2 Esports, and Team Liquid securing their spots. Meanwhile, the Play-In stage featured eight teams, including the champions from the emerging regions: Estral Esports (LLA), LOUD (CBLOL), PSG Talon (PCS), and GAM Esports (VCS). They were joined by the second seeds from the four major regions—T1, Top Esports, Fnatic, and FlyQuest—who had to fight for their place in the main event.

As has been the case in recent years, the Korean and Chinese champions entered the tournament as clear favorites. Gen.G arrived with a dominant roster, bolstered by the additions of Kim "Kiin" Gi-in in the toplane, Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu in the jungle, and Son "Lehends" Si-woo as support, forming a strong core alongside Chovy and rising botlane talent Kim "Peyz" Su-hwan. On the other side, Bilibili Gaming fielded an all-Chinese lineup, largely unchanged from their 2023 roster, with one crucial upgrade: the acquisition of Zhuo "Knight" Ding in the midlane. Playing on home soil, BLG looked more prepared than ever to claim their first international title.

Play-In Stage

The Play-In stage was split into two groups of four teams each. In Group A, T1 secured their spot with ease, defeating Estral and FlyQuest 2-0. PSG Talon followed by taking down FlyQuest in the lower bracket. Over in Group B, Top Esports and Fnatic dominated their matches against LOUD and GAM, securing their places in the Bracket Stage without much trouble. The expected outcome played out, with all second seeds advancing from the Play-In except for FlyQuest, who fell to a more experienced PSG Talon, a team well-acquainted with international competition. Still, it was a valuable experience for Fly, especially considering the journey they would go on later in the LCS Summer Split and Worlds 2024.

Let the Bracket Stage begin

The playoffs kicked off with the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals, where Top Esports took down Team Liquid in convincing fashion, while Gen.G swept Fnatic 3-0. The other two matchups were much closer—BLG had to fight through a full five-game series against PSG Talon, and T1 narrowly edged out G2 in another intense five-game battle. It was yet another classic between Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok and Rasmus "Caps" Winther, with the T1 midlaner securing the series victory while showcasing his signature Azir and Ahri. G2 came in well-prepared with unique drafts—Sergen "BrokenBlade" Çelik pulled out Zac and Yasuo, while Martin "Yike" Sundelin showcased his versatility on Lillia, Bel’Veth, and Rek’Sai, a champion that was seeing some presence in the meta at the time.

On May 11 and 12, the Upper Bracket Semifinals and Lower Bracket Round 1 took place, featuring the only NA vs. EU matchup of the tournament. Team Liquid came out on top, taking down Fnatic 3-1 in a dominant series. Eain "APA" Stearns was named MVP of the match, with his Aurelion Sol standing out as a key factor in TL’s victory. Meanwhile, G2 eliminated PSG Talon, while BLG and Gen.G—both considered tournament favorites—secured their spots in the Upper Bracket Final, sending T1 and Top Esports down to the Lower Bracket Quarterfinals.

Starting May 14, the tournament moved to a one-BO5-per-day format, kicking off with G2 delivering a dominant clean sweep against Top Esports. The European squad proved that they couldn’t be underestimated and that the gap between them and the top Asian teams wasn’t as wide as many believed. Caps played Tristana in all three games, making mid-game rotations nearly impossible for TES to handle. Steven "Hans Sama" Liv was named MVP of the series, showcasing his versatility by playing both utility-focused champions like Kalista in Game 1 and hypercarries like Kog’Maw and Draven in Game 3. Notably, Hans Sama was the only ADC in the entire tournament to pick Kog’Maw.

In the other lower bracket match, T1 easily handled Team Liquid, setting up another much-anticipated clash against the LEC champions. What was expected to be a close and thrilling series turned into a statement performance from T1, as they dismantled G2 with a clean 3-0 sweep. Choi "Zeus" Woo-je and his teammates delivered a dominant showing, proving once again why they are a top contender. While Games 2 and 3 were competitive, G2 couldn't quite push through, showing flashes of brilliance but ultimately falling short. Europe's wait for another international title continued, as their teams once again fell just shy of reaching the tournament’s final stages.

The Upper Bracket Final featured the two tournament favorites, Gen.G and BLG, in what many saw as a prelude to the grand final. While BLG took the opening game, Gen.G completely flipped the series, with Canyon and Chovy leading the charge to secure a spot in the final. It was a statement win, setting the tone for what was left of the MSI.

The Lower Bracket Final between T1 and BLG was nothing short of legendary—a clash of titans that will be remembered for years to come. This was the pinnacle of competitive League of Legends, a series where every moment felt like it could define history. The intensity was relentless, the execution near flawless, and the stakes immeasurable. Each game was a masterclass, a brutal test of resilience and raw skill, where no inch was given without a fight.

As the series stretched to its final game, it was a moment of brilliance that decided it all. With nerves of steel and unmatched precision, Chen "Bin" Ze-Bin delivered the final blow on Camille, dancing through the chaos with a mechanical masterpiece that shattered T1’s dreams. The crowd erupted, the casters lost their voices, and history was written—BLG had survived the crucible, earning their place in the grand final and leaving T1 once again at the doorstep of glory, only to watch it slip away.

The grand final was somewhat a rematch of the Upper Bracket Final, but BLG’s exhausting battle against T1 in the previous round had drained them. Gen.G had been dominant throughout the tournament, and that wasn’t about to change in the final. This time, Chovy and Lehends finally claimed their long-awaited international title. Peyz continues to prove that despite his young age, his trophy cabinet is already stacked—and he’s far from done. Canyon cements his legacy as one of the greatest junglers in the history of the game, while Kiin completes an incredible journey, having occupied every possible position in the LCK standings—from last place with Ever8 Winners in Summer 2017 to lifting the trophy with Gen.G in Spring 2024. At 26, Lehends delivered performances worthy of the greatest supports the game has ever seen, earning him the MVP title of the tournament.