Next Year's Worlds Final to Be Held in Seoul... Showdown at 'Seoul Arena'

Riot Games Announces Host City for 2027 Final
Seoul Submitted Hosting Proposal and Hosted On-Site Inspection
2023 Worlds Generated an Estimated 740 Billion Won in Economic Impact
Chang-dong and Northeastern Seoul Expect Boost in Tourism and Local Economy

The 2027 final of the League of Legends (LoL) World Championship, one of the world's largest esports tournaments and commonly known as Worlds, will be held at Seoul Arena in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul. The final will return to Seoul for the first time in four years, following the 2023 event at Gocheok Sky Dome.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Riot Games officially announced Seoul as the host city for the 2027 Worlds final at the 2026 LoL Showcase held in New York, U.S., on November 14 (Korea time).

Worlds is a global esports tournament organized by Riot Games, in which top professional teams representing regions around the world compete to determine the world's best team. First held in Sweden in 2011, the tournament has taken place in different regions around the world every year since. Seoul has hosted the final twice: in 2014 at Sangam World Cup Stadium and in 2023 at Gocheok Sky Dome.

To secure the 2027 Worlds final, the Seoul Metropolitan Government submitted a hosting proposal and took part in the review process, including an on-site inspection. After being selected as the preferred negotiating city for the final last August, the city held detailed discussions with Riot Games. Seoul's selection was finalized with the official announcement in New York. The city highlighted its urban infrastructure, including its experience hosting large-scale international events, excellent public transportation network, accommodation facilities, and diverse cultural and tourism resources.

The 2027 Worlds will be held in both Seoul and Suwon. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi Province, while the final to determine the world's best team is scheduled to be held at Seoul Arena, currently under construction in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul.

Seoul Arena is a large-scale performance and cultural facility under construction in Chang-dong in northeastern Seoul. It is expected to serve as a new cultural hub capable of hosting world-class esports events. Fans from around the world are expected to visit Seoul to watch the matches and experience K-culture, along with the city's diverse cultural and tourism offerings.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to develop the tournament into a global festival linked to the city's cultural and tourism resources, rather than letting it remain a one-off sports and cultural event. According to a 2026 study by the Korea e-Sports Association, the 2023 Worlds in Seoul generated an estimated economic impact of about 740 billion won. At the time, around 200,000 visitors from Korea and abroad came to Seoul. The event was estimated to have generated 190.6 billion won in economic impact from tourist spending, 200 billion won in media impact through promotion of Seoul's city brand via worldwide live broadcasts, and 21 billion won in direct domestic spending by the event organizer.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will discuss detailed support measures needed to host the tournament with Riot Games and proceed with follow-up steps, including signing an official agreement. In particular, it plans to establish a cooperation framework among relevant organizations to provide the administrative support required to operate the tournament. "With the official announcement that Seoul will host the 2027 Worlds final, we can once again showcase Seoul's esports infrastructure and ability to host international events to the world," said Kim Hyun-woo, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Economic Affairs Office. "We will work to make the event a driving force for balanced development in northern Seoul by linking it with tourism content and local businesses."

Artist's rendering of Seoul Arena in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul, scheduled for completion next year. Seoul Metropolitan Government.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.