World Championship esports event to deliver £12m boost to London’s economy

• London will host the League of Legends World Championship this weekend – one of the biggest and most popular esports events in the world.
• The O2 arena’s tickets sold out in minutes and millions are set to watch from around the world.
• The Mayor continues to support London’s thriving games and esports industry bringing significant investment and jobs to the capital.

London will host the League of Legends World Championship this weekend – one of the biggest and most popular esports events in the world.

The O2 arena’s tickets sold out in minutes and millions are set to watch from around the world.
The Mayor continues to support London’s thriving games and esports industry bringing significant investment and jobs to the capital.
 
One of esports biggest global events, the League of Legends World Championship finals, will take place at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow (Saturday 2 November) – boosting the capital’s economy and cementing its position as leading destination for sports and esports.
 
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today welcomed the finals to the capital and celebrated the impact of the growing industry. It will be the largest esports event ever to take place in the UK and will bring more opportunities for growth, talent development and skills for young Londoners. 
 
Thousands of fans from all over the world are expected to head to the O2 tomorrow to watch, with London’s business growth and destination agency London & Partners calculating a £12m boost to the London economy from hosting the finals. Millions more are set to watch online – showcasing the capital. 
 
League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena game that pits two teams of five against each other. The World Championships, known as ‘Worlds’, were launched in 2009 and have grown to be the most anticipated event of the year in esports. Last year’s finals were held in South Korea. It is the latest major esports event that London has hosted, after welcoming the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational to the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park last year. 
 
London is home to largest group of games studios in Europe and esports is a growing market offering huge potential for London’s businesses and communities. The Mayor is a big supporter of the games industry, which generates millions of pounds for our economy and is a growing force. His support includes funding Games London who run the UK’s only Games Production Finance Market which brings in new investment to help games businesses grow, and delivers the annual London Games Festival. Through work with London & Partners, Sadiq has also helped to bring esports events to London.
 
Earlier this week, City Hall convened a panel discussion with key industry leaders and partners Fnatic – a leading esports brand – and London & Partners. Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber opened the event at the Fnatic HQ to champion esports and explore ways to further support esports in the capital. City Hall has also commissioned Arena Consultancy to conduct a new piece of research to gain a deeper understanding of what more London needs to do to become a global centre for esports. 
 
The League of Legends World Championship is the latest in a series of global events to take place in London this year, including the UEFA Champions League final, European Professional Club Rugby Finals, NFL, Major League Baseball and Diamond League athletics. 
 
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am delighted that the League of Legends World Championship finals are taking place in the capital this weekend. The event brings together gamers and fans from across the globe, boosting our economy by £12m and showing that London is a leading destination for sports and esports. Gaming is a hugely exciting and fast growing industry, and I will continue to do all I can to support its development and growth in the capital, as we build a better London for everyone.”
 
Ailsa Buck, Head of Major Events and City Experience at London & Partners, said: “We’re thrilled to host the League of Legends World Championship Finals. The excitement is electric and we can’t wait for fans to have an unforgettable experience in the capital. Hosting such a huge esports event shows that London is a top destination for the industry. Tickets flew off the shelves in minutes. That tells us there’s a huge demand for more esports in the city. We’re ready to make this day special for everyone.”  

Sam Mathews, CEO at Fnatic, said: "Partnering with the GLA and London & Partners to bring this event to life is an exciting step for Fnatic and esports in London. As one of the world's leading esports organizations, Fnatic has always pushed boundaries—and there's no better place to showcase that than in our home city. London’s support shows a real commitment to making this city a global hub for gaming. We’re looking forward to creating an unforgettable experience for our fans and the community right here and forging the future of esports in the city."