The first-ever League of Legends World Championship was held at DreamHack Summer 2011 in Jönköping, Sweden. This landmark event marked the beginning of what would grow into one of the largest esports tournaments in the world.
A Humble Beginning
Organized by Riot Games in partnership with DreamHack, the event took place in June 2011 and featured eight teams from around the world. The championship was part of Season 1 of competitive League of Legends and offered a total prize pool of $100,000 — modest by today’s standards, but a major step for the fledgling esports scene at the time.
The Venue: DreamHack Summer
DreamHack, known as the world’s largest digital festival, hosted the tournament at its Elmia Exhibition Centre venue in Jönköping. The event was integrated into the broader DreamHack Summer festival, giving attendees a chance to witness the first official League of Legends world finals live.
The Winners
Fnatic, a team from Europe, emerged victorious, defeating Against All Authority (aAa) in the grand final. Fnatic’s win earned them $50,000 and a place in esports history as the first League of Legends World Champions.
Legacy
The 2011 championship laid the foundation for Riot Games’ global esports infrastructure. Today, the League of Legends World Championship features dozens of teams from multiple regions, multi-million-dollar prize pools, and arenas filled with fans from around the world. But it all began on a summer weekend in Sweden, on borrowed LAN cables and growing ambition.
Summary
The first League of Legends World Championship took place at DreamHack Summer 2011 in Jönköping, Sweden, setting the stage for a new era in competitive gaming.
Written by:
Christian