Seoul Arena in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu will host the League of Legends World Championship final next year, marking the tournament’s return to the South Korean capital four years after the 2023 event at Gocheok Sky Dome, according to Khan.
Riot Games officially announced the selection at the 2026 LoL Showcase in New York on the 14th (KST).
To secure the hosting rights, the Seoul Metropolitan Government submitted a bid proposal and underwent on-site evaluations. After being named the preferred negotiation city in August, Seoul finalized the agreement through detailed discussions with Riot Games. While the city confirmed hosting the final, the official contract remains a follow-up procedure to be completed alongside coordinated detailed support with Riot Games.
The tournament will split its matches between Seoul and Suwon. The quarterfinals and semifinals will take place at the Suwon Convention Center in Gyeonggi Province, while the final will be held at Seoul Arena, a large-scale performance and cultural facility currently scheduled for completion next year in Chang-dong.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to connect the event with the city’s cultural and tourism assets to encourage spectator spending on accommodation, dining, and shopping. Additionally, municipal authorities will cooperate with regional groups and associated bodies to stimulate business activity throughout northeastern neighborhoods, including Chang-dong.
Previous tournaments in the city have drawn substantial economic figures. Data compiled by the Korea e-Sports Association indicates that the 2023 Worlds hosted in Seoul attracted roughly 200,000 local and foreign attendees while producing a financial impact valued at approximately $555,000,000 (740,000,000,000 KRW). That economic impact included $142,950,000 (190,600,000,000 KRW) from tourist spending, $150,000,000 (200,000,000,000 KRW) in media effects such as city brand promotion through global live broadcasts, and $15,750,000 (21,000,000,000 KRW) in direct domestic spending by the organizer.
