September 20, 2023 13:04
The Seoul Metropolitan Government plans a mass gathering of online gaming fans in Gwanghwamun, Seoul in November as Korea hosts the "League of Legends" World Championship.
The championship will be held from Oct. 10 to Nov. 19 with the final taking place at Gocheok Sky Dome in southern Seoul on the last day.
Fans will get a chance to play the online role-playing game, look at character exhibits and attend a concert of songs from the game from Nov. 16 to 19.
An average of 100 million people around the world play LoL every month. It is also one of the e-sports games that make their debut at the Asian Games that open in Hangzhou, China on Saturday.
The LoL championship has been held every year since 2011, pitting teams from around the world against each other.
Among young people the competition is as popular as the football World Cup among older folk. Korea also hosted it in 2014 and 2018. If the Korean team advances to the final, huge crowds are expected to gather in Gwanghwamun Plaza on the night of Nov. 19 to cheer, just like the World Cup.
Korean teams have won seven championship titles so far and are strong contenders this year along with the Chinese team.
Kim Tae-gyun at Seoul Metropolitan Government said, "LoL fans started getting excited the moment Seoul was chosen as the venue again" and the tournament plays a big role in attracting young tourists to the capital.
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