League of Legends launched in 2009 and quickly became the world's most popular PC game. Riot Games built a franchised esports ecosystem unmatched in scale, with regional leagues feeding into international tournaments.
The Franchised Era
Early Days (2010-2012) saw grassroots tournaments and the first World Championships. Season 1 Worlds featured an $100,000 prize pool—modest by today's standards but groundbreaking then.
LCS Revolution (2013+) introduced salaried leagues in North America and Europe. Teams received stability, players got contracts, and viewership exploded. Korea's OGN (later LCK) set the competitive standard.
Global Franchising (2017+) brought permanent partnership leagues. LCS, LEC, LCK, and LPL became the four major regions with multi-million dollar buy-ins and long-term investments.
Korean Dominance
South Korean teams won Worlds from 2013-2017 with SKT T1 (now T1) claiming three titles. The LCK's infrastructure, training culture, and individual talent established Korea as the premier region. T1's Faker became esports' most recognizable face.
Regional Rise
China's LPL emerged as a powerhouse, with teams like Invictus Gaming, FunPlus Phoenix, and EDward Gaming winning Worlds. The region combines Korean coaching with aggressive playstyles and massive investment.