Demacia Cup Global Invitational Unveils 12-Team Format and October Schedule
A new international League of Legends event, the Demacia Cup Global Invitational, will include 12 teams that finished just outside Worlds qualification in six major regions. The online Swiss group stage runs from October 3 to 8, followed by offline knockout rounds from October 12 to 15 and the grand final on October 17. Broadcast details and start times have not been announced.
The inaugural Demacia Cup Global Invitational will gather twelve squads from six leagues—LCK, LPL, LEC, LCS, LCP and CBLOL—whose placements left them outside Worlds qualification. Confirmed entrants include KT Rolster, BNK FEARX, HANJIN BRION, JD Gaming, Team WE, LGD Gaming, Natus Vincere, Team Vitality and GAM Esports, while both LCS slots remain undecided. Brazil will send its fourth seed because its playoffs conclude after the event begins.
The online Swiss phase starts October 3 and ends October 8. Teams reaching two wins move on; 0-2 sides enter a round-robin survival path. Eight teams then contest offline best-of-five single elimination from October 12 to 15, with the final on October 17. Start times and broadcast plans are still unannounced.
The event may give fans of teams that missed Worlds another international competition to follow, extending engagement into October. Players and organizations outside top Worlds spots could gain visibility, match experience, and sponsorship attention. Smaller regional leagues might benefit if their representatives perform well, though scheduling overlap with Worlds could split audience attention. Broadcast availability and start times may shape how broadly these effects are felt.