If you’re a long-time League of Legends fan, you know nothing beats the hype of a live LoL show. Whether it’s a high-stakes international esports final, a casual developer stream dropping new champion details, or a fan event with meet-and-greets with your favorite pro players, these moments make being part of the LoL community feel special. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve refreshed Riot’s social pages at 2 a.m. waiting for news of the next big event, so I put together this guide to save you the hassle. We’re covering exactly when is the next league of legends show, how to get notified of future events, and all the small details you need to know to make the most of every show.
When Is the Next League of Legends Show: Upcoming Confirmed Events
Riot announces most major LoL shows 3 to 6 months in advance, with smaller streams and local events shared 2 to 4 weeks before they air. As of the latest official updates, these are the confirmed upcoming shows you can add to your calendar right now. All times and dates are posted to the official LoL esports and Riot Games websites once finalised, so you can double-check exact start times for your time zone there.
- Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) Main Stage Live Show: Held annually in a rotating host region, this is the first major international esports show of the competitive cycle, featuring 12 top regional teams competing for the MSI trophy and a guaranteed spot at Worlds later the same year. Pre-show events start 2 hours before the first match each day, with caster analysis, player interviews, and occasional guest performances from popular artists.
- Quarterly Riot Developer Live Show: Held every 3 months, this stream breaks down upcoming champion reworks, game mode updates, balance changes, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content for both League of Legends and Teamfight Tactics. Viewers can submit questions live, and the dev team often runs polls to let fans weigh in on upcoming changes.
- Worlds Championship Opening & Final Shows: The biggest League of Legends esports event of the year, with pre-show performances from global artists, cosplay showcases, and appearances from pro players and Riot devs. The opening ceremony for recent Worlds events has featured artists like NewJeans and Lil Nas X, drawing millions of viewers even outside the LoL community.
- Annual LoL Fan Fest: A free in-person and streamed live event held in Riot's home city of Los Angeles, with meet-and-greets with pro players, playable demo builds of upcoming content, and exclusive merch drops that aren’t available anywhere else. Virtual attendees also get access to exclusive in-game drops just for tuning into the stream.
If none of these events line up with your schedule, don’t worry. Riot often pops up with surprise smaller shows, like one-off streams for new skin line launches, Arcane related announcements, or charity esports matches with content creators. These smaller shows often have just as many exclusive rewards as the big events, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for them.
How to Get Notified as Soon as New LoL Shows Are Announced
You don’t have to refresh Riot’s social pages every hour to stay up to date on new show announcements. There are a few simple, low-effort ways to get alerts the second a new event is revealed, so you never miss a chance to grab tickets or tune in for exclusive drops. The best part? All of these options are completely free.
First, follow the official League of Legends Esports Twitter/X account and turn on post notifications. Riot posts all major event announcements here first, often with early access links for pre-sale tickets and sign-ups for exclusive in-game rewards. They also post reminders 24 hours and 1 hour before a show starts, so you don’t forget to tune in even if you added it to your calendar months ago.
Second, enable pop-up notifications in your League of Legends client. Every time a new show is announced, you’ll get a small pop-up the next time you log in, with a direct link to more details or ticket sign-up pages. This is a great option if you don’t use social media much, but log into the game at least a few times a week.
Third, join the official League of Legends Discord server. Mods post all event announcements in the dedicated events channel, and server members often get early access to ticket pre-sales or exclusive drop codes that aren’t shared anywhere else. You can also connect with other fans in your area to plan watch parties for bigger shows.
What to Expect From Different Types of League of Legends Shows
Not all LoL shows are the same, and knowing what to expect from each type will help you decide which ones are worth your time. For example, if you only care about competitive play, you probably don’t need to tune into a developer stream focused on new skin lines, but if you love behind-the-scenes content, those streams are must-watches.
Esports shows like MSI and Worlds are the most high-energy events, with hours of pre-show content leading up to the matches. You’ll get deep dives into team strategies, interviews with players and coaches, and live performances from popular artists during the opening and closing ceremonies. Most official esports shows offer free in-game drops for viewers who link their Riot account to the streaming platform, including exclusive skins, icons, and emotes that you can’t get anywhere else. Even if you don’t care about the matches, it’s often worth tuning in for 30 minutes just to claim the drops.
Developer streams are a lot more casual, with members of the Riot team walking through upcoming changes to the game, answering fan questions, and showing off early builds of new champions or game modes. These streams are great if you want to have a say in the future of the game, since the dev team often runs live polls to let fans vote on things like new champion abilities or skin themes.
Fan events are the most interactive type of LoL show, with both in-person and virtual activities for attendees. In-person attendees can meet pro players, test out upcoming content before it’s released, and buy exclusive merch, while virtual attendees can enter giveaways for free skins, ask devs questions live, and join watch parties with other fans from around the world.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning to Attend or Watch a LoL Show
After attending and watching dozens of LoL shows over the years, I’ve made almost every mistake you can think of, so I’m sharing these tips to help you avoid the same frustrations. These small mistakes can mean missing out on exclusive rewards, or even getting turned away from in-person events, so it’s worth keeping them in mind.
First, don’t wait too long to buy tickets for in-person events. Major events like the Worlds final sell out in less than 10 minutes, and even smaller regional esports shows often sell out within a few days of tickets going on sale. Sign up for pre-sale access as soon as it’s announced, and have your payment information ready before tickets go live to avoid missing out.
Second, don’t forget to link your Riot account to your Twitch or YouTube account before the show starts. Drops are only awarded to viewers who have their accounts linked at least 24 hours before the show goes live, so if you wait until the show is already airing to link your account, you won’t get any of the exclusive rewards. You only have to link your account once, and it will work for all future official LoL streams.
Third, don’t use unauthorised stream links to watch the show. Not only are these streams often low quality and full of ads, but they also don’t count towards drop eligibility, and can expose you to malware. Stick to the official Riot Games Twitch or YouTube channels, or the official LoL esports website to watch the show safely.
Fourth, don’t show up to in-person events without checking the bag policy first. Most LoL live shows ban large bags, outside food and drink, and professional recording equipment, so you don’t want to get turned away at the door because you brought a bag that’s too big. The bag policy is always posted on the event website a few weeks before the show, so take 2 minutes to check it before you leave home.
At the end of the day, LoL shows are all about connecting with the community and celebrating the game we all love. Whether you’re tuning in for a high-stakes esports final or a casual dev stream to see what new content is coming, knowing when is the next league of legends show helps you make the most of your time as a fan. You don’t have to spend hours scouring social media for updates, just follow the official channels we listed, and you’ll be the first to know when new events are announced. Even if you can’t make it to in-person events, the streamed versions have just as much hype, plus exclusive rewards you can earn just for watching. Next time a show is announced, grab your snacks, link your Riot account, and get ready to join millions of other LoL fans around the world for the event.