For those not in the know, the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational, or MSI, is about start. On May 10th, 2022, the 7th annual Mid-Season Invitational League of Legends tournament will commence. The top 11 teams from around the world will converge in Busan, South Korea to battle it out for glory, fame, and bragging rights to crowds filling sports stadiums and online viewers in the millions.

The first split of this season of League of Legends eSports has ended and each region is sending its top teams to MSI to show the world what their region can bring to the table. Teams will represent countries and regions from China, Europe, South Korea, North America, the Pacific, Vietnam, Latin America, Turkey, Brazil, Japan, and Oceania. Each region’s first-place team will compete for the number one place at MSI before heading home to once again fight for their spot at worlds this fall.

The big question this MSI is who will come out on top? Past MSI champions have come from China, Korea, or Europe, but will North America finally win this year? I doubt it: North America’s success (or lack thereof) on the world stage in League of Legends has become something of a running joke in the League community. North America will likely make it to the semi-finals or runner-up if they’re lucky, but a championship still feels out of reach. The expected final match will most likely take place between China’s Royal Never Give Up and Korea’s SK Telecom T1. Nevertheless, whoever makes it to the final match, one thing is guaranteed: it's gonna be an awesome show!

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