On January 12th, the first split of the LPL 2025 season will begin in Shanghai—one of the strongest regional leagues in League of Legends. During the tournament, 16 teams will compete for the championship title, valuable ranking points, and a share of the prize pool. The season promises to be extremely exciting, as the competition format has undergone changes, and the transfer window has brought a number of interesting updates.

Main Favorite

Last season's champions, Bilibili Gaming, are once again in the spotlight. The team lost only one player—Xun, but this should not significantly impact their results. BLG have a stable roster and look like the main giant of the Chinese League of Legends scene. Their performances last season were top-notch, so they are expected to continue dominating in 2025.

Title Contenders

Invictus Gaming

IG have bet on the return of the "golden roster" of 2018, and they nearly succeeded. The team looks powerful and motivated to regain their former glory. Star signings add optimism, making them the main contender for the title after BLG.

JD Gaming

JDG had an excellent transfer window, signing Xun, Scout, and Peyz—three players who showed a high level of play last season. This roster looks very strong and is ready to challenge any opponent.

Dark Horse

Weibo Gaming is a team to watch. They retained their core players and demonstrated that they are capable of surprising results. In 2024, WBG nearly missed Worlds, but they exceeded expectations in the tournament, winning matches where no one believed in them. Their ability to overturn situations makes them one of the most intriguing teams of this split.

Worth Noting

This year, LPL promises to be extremely competitive, and although some teams are unlikely to fight for a spot at the First Stand 2025, they are fully capable of disrupting the favorites. Among such teams, EDG, Anyone's Legend, and Top Esports should be highlighted.

EDward Gaming

A team that was at the top a few years ago, winning the 2021 World Championship, is currently experiencing a crisis. None of the championship roster remains in the team, and the new players, though promising, currently lack sufficient experience. EDG is betting on young talent, but this is a risky strategy, and its effectiveness will only be shown over time. Meanwhile, even in their current state, EDG remains a team capable of surprises, so they should be approached with caution.

Top Esports

This season, Top Esports faced serious challenges after losing Meiko, one of the best supports in the world and team captain. However, they managed to retain their star ADC JackeyLove, who is a key player and main threat in the bot lane. The roster also includes the core players from last season, so the team's synergy should remain at a high level. The new support, Crisp, who showed excellent results with Weibo Gaming, can bring a new dynamic to the game. The season promises to be challenging for Top Esports, but watching their adaptation and overcoming obstacles will be very interesting.

Anyone's Legend

Anyone's Legend decided to combine experience and youth in their roster. The main driving forces will be Tarzan and Flandre, who have significant experience competing on the international stage. Their leadership potential and game knowledge will help younger players adapt to the high level of competition. The team looks balanced and capable of creating several major surprises. Their progress throughout the season will be an important indicator for future performances.

LPL Split 1 2025 will begin on January 12th and run until March 1st. Teams will compete for the championship title and a spot in the international tournament First Stand 2025. Follow the news, schedule, and results of the tournament via the link.