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DRX and Chiefs Esports Club are primed for Worlds 2022 Play-Ins
With Worlds 2022 nearly upon us, we're taking a look at some of the teams in the Play-Ins stage and the trials that await them on their journey to the Main Event.
The 2022 League of Legends World Championship is right around the corner, bringing the top teams from around the globe together in the ultimate test of skill on the Summoner's Rift. This year, held across Mexico and the United States, it's truly the highlight of the competitive LoL calendar, and you can count on it to be filled with epic battles and tense face-offs.
The top-ranking teams of the regional leagues have all immediately earned a place in the Main Event, but there's still a chance for teams that just missed out to make their mark on the tournament with the Play-In stage. There will be 12 teams battling it out in groups of six, with the top three of each group then moving on to a knockout stage to determine the final four teams that will enter the Main Event.
Group A features Australian team Chiefs Esports Club, who secured their spot in the Play-In after an absolute triumph of a season in the League of Legends Circuit Oceania, going 21-0 in the Regular Season and losing just one game in the Playoffs. Meanwhile, Group B contains the indomitable DRX, who managed to snag the last spot available in the League of Legends Champions Korea league after a thrilling comeback in the Regional Final. Let's take a look at both teams and what awaits them in the Play-In.
DRX
DRX are no strangers to the international stage, having appeared at Worlds 2020 and making their way to the quarterfinals – they were knocked out by eventual winners DWG KIA (then known as Damwon Gaming), which isn't a bad way to exit a tournament.
After missing out in 2021, DRX are back for 2022 to show what they can do this time around. Only one member of the current team – jungler Hong 'Pyosik' Chang-hyeon – was a member of the 2020 squad that made it to Worlds, but both bot laner Kim 'Deft' Hyuk-kyu and legendary support Cho 'BeryL' Geon-hee (who was part of 2020's Worlds-winning DWG team) have experience at the tournament, so the majority of this squad have had a chance to play internationally prior to Worlds 2022.
DRX are ready to give their best at Worlds 2022
© Riot Games / LCK / Flickr
It's going to be a truly epic group to watch as well. The main competitor to watch out for will be the League of Legends Pro League's Royal Never Give Up, who won the Mid-Season Invitational earlier this year and in 2021 – and have only missed one Worlds since 2016. This formidable squad are sure to put up a fight no matter who their opponent is, but they're certainly not undefeatable.
The other team to keep an eye on are MAD Lions from the League of Legends European Championship. Despite having only joined the LEC in 2020, the team hasn't missed a Worlds yet, and are hungry to prove themselves with some international silverware. They haven't had the best season in their home league – indeed, they've benefited greatly from the LEC being granted an additional Worlds spot given their fourth-place finish in the Summer Playoffs – so as long as DRX can keep their wits about them, a win over the Lions shouldn't be an impossible task.
Chiefs Esports Club
Chiefs Esports Club have had an absolute barnstormer of a season in the LCO. The team have never made it to a major international tournament before, but after a truly magnificent lossless season, which ended on a record of 21-0, it was clear that this squad deserved a Worlds place. Their win streak continued through the Playoffs too, although they did finally lose one game in the Final (but still finished 3-1).
The squad underwent serious changes in 2022, with four new members joining at the start of the year, and the only holdover from 2021 – support Dragon 'Dragku' Guo – going inactive just before the second season of the year. And while Chiefs Esports haven't yet been to Worlds as a team, each player in its current roster has recent Worlds experience, so they won't be intimidated by the international stage.
Nor are they likely to be intimidated by the competition. Their group includes the LEC's Fnatic, former legends of the LoL competitive scene who have languished in recent years, and DetonatioN FocusMe, who have proven powerful in their home country of Japan but have failed to make a splash internationally.
The only team that might be cause for concern are the League of Legends Championship Series' Evil Geniuses, who have bounced back this year after lingering around the middle of the table for the last two years. They even reached the semi-finals of MSI this year and topped the table during the Regular Season, so Chiefs Esports will need to bring their A-game for that battle.
Whatever happens, the Worlds 2022 Play-In stage is certain to be an explosive, action-packed event with a huge opportunity on the line for all the teams. Be sure to tune in when it kicks off later today.
