Virtual Dragon and Olympic Stadium - Worlds 2017 Ceremony Receives Event of the Decade Title

League of Legends Worlds 2017 won the "Esports Live Event of the Decade" award at Esports Awards 2025 in Riyadh. The tournament is remembered for Samsung Galaxy's shocking 3-0 triumph over SKT T1, spectacular opening ceremony with a virtual dragon, and the legendary anthem "Legends Never Die" by Against the Current featuring Mako.

Worlds 2017 - The Event That Changed Esports Forever 🏆

League of Legends World Championship 2017 officially became the best live esports event of the decade according to combined voting from fans and expert jury at Esports Awards 2025. This recognition confirms what many have long known - Worlds 2017 represented a milestone not only for League of Legends, but for the entire esports culture.

The tournament took place in China from September to November 2017 and culminated in a legendary final at the Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest), where esports history was written. The combination of unpredictable results, technical innovations, and cultural impact created an event that still serves as the gold standard for esports productions today.

Esports Awards 2025 in Riyadh used combined evaluation - 25% fan voting and 75% expert jury, ensuring a balanced assessment of both popularity and objective quality of the event. Worlds 2017 earned the award competing against other iconic tournaments like The International 2018 and CS:GO Major Championships.

What made Worlds 2017 so exceptional? It was the combination of three factors - unpredictable results disrupting expectations, technologically groundbreaking production, and cultural impact that influenced the entire esports scene for years to come.

Samsung Galaxy's Shocking Triumph - David vs. Goliath Story 📱

Samsung Galaxy (SSG) entered Worlds 2017 as the third seed from Korea, far behind favorites SK Telecom T1 and Longzhu Gaming. Few expected that a team finishing third in the domestic LCK Summer Split could threaten the SKT T1 dynasty.

Path to Finals

The key moment was the quarterfinal series against Longzhu Gaming, which was considered the tournament's biggest favorite. Samsung Galaxy literally demolished this team 3-0, signaling that their form was peaking at the right time.

Finals Dominance

The final on November 4, 2017 at Beijing National Stadium represented one of the most shocking results in League of Legends history. SKT T1, a team with three World Championship titles and iconic players like Faker, Bang, and Wolf, was considered the clear favorite.

The Samsung Galaxy roster led by Crown (mid lane), Ruler (ADC), and CoreJJ (support) displayed tactical perfection and coordination that completely dismantled SKT T1. The series ended 3-0 without a single lost game for Samsung Galaxy.

💡 Pro tip: This series showed the importance of team chemistry over individual talent. Samsung Galaxy didn't have the biggest stars, but their coordination and strategic preparation were tournament-best.

Breakthrough Opening Ceremony with Virtual Dragon 🐉

Worlds 2017 opening ceremony set a new standard for esports productions with its technological innovation and visual spectacle. The ceremony combined traditional Chinese cultural elements with cutting-edge technology.

Technological Innovations

The augmented reality dragon was the centerpiece of the entire show - a massive virtual dragon "soared" above the stadium thanks to advanced AR technology. This was the first time an esports event used such advanced visual effects at this scale.

Key ceremony elements:

• Virtual dragon in augmented reality flying around the stadium
• Light show synchronized with music
• Cultural performance celebrating Chinese heritage
• Live performance of the Worlds anthem

Cultural Impact

The ceremony proved that esports events could compete with traditional sporting events in terms of production value. Numerous television stations and mainstream media covered the opening ceremony as a full-fledged cultural event.

The production was so impressive that it inspired Olympic ceremonies and other major sporting events to use similar technologies. Worlds 2017 thus pioneered the demonstration of esports' potential as mainstream entertainment.

Legends Never Die - The Anthem That Defined an Era 🎵

"Legends Never Die" by Against the Current featuring Mako became the unofficial anthem of the entire League of Legends community and one of the most famous esports songs ever.

Musical Analysis

The song combines epic orchestral elements with modern rock sound, creating an atmosphere that perfectly reflects the drama of the World Championship. The lyrics celebrate the immortality of legends and the eternal battle for glory.

Key verses:

• "Legends never die, when the world is calling you"
• "Can you hear them screaming out your name?"
• "They become a part of you"

Long-term Cultural Impact

Views and streaming numbers:

• YouTube: Over 200 million views
• Spotify: More than 100 million streams
• Covers and remixes: Thousands of interpretations from the community

The song became a rallying cry for League of Legends players worldwide and is frequently used during important esports broadcast moments to this day.

Production Innovations and Technical Advances 🎬

Worlds 2017 introduced several technological firsts in esports productions that became standards for future events.

Broadcast Innovations

Venue Utilization

Beijing National Stadium (Bird's Nest) was the first Olympic stadium to host an esports World Championship. This choice had enormous symbolic significance - esports claimed a venue used for the world's biggest sporting event.

Stadium adaptation for esports required:

• Installation of massive LED screens
• Acoustic modifications for optimal sound
• Special stage design for broadcast cameras
• VIP seating areas for celebrity guests and sponsors

Long-term Impact on Esports Industry 📈

Worlds 2017 had a transformational influence on the entire esports industry and established several trends that continue today.

Mainstream Recognition

Media coverage of the event reached unprecedented levels:

• ESPN dedicated prime time coverage to the finals
• BBC Sport wrote about the tournament as a cultural event
• Chinese state television broadcast matches in prime time
• Social media engagement exceeded many traditional sports

Sponsorship Growth

Brand involvement significantly increased after Worlds 2017:

• Mercedes-Benz became automotive partner
• Mastercard entered as payment partner
• Louis Vuitton created championship trophy travel case
• Nike began developing esports merchandise

Influence on Competitive Design

Tournament format and production values from Worlds 2017 became a template for:

• The International (Dota 2) enhanced ceremony production
• CS:GO Majors increased production budgets
• Overwatch League stadium-based events
• Fighting game tournaments improved broadcast quality

Comparison with Other Candidates 🏅

The Esports Awards "Event of the Decade" had strong competition, but Worlds 2017 excelled in several key areas:

The International 2018 (Dota 2)

• Positives: Record prize pool ($25.5M), dramatic finals
• Negatives: Smaller mainstream reach, limited cultural impact

CS:GO Boston Major 2018

• Positives: First Major in USA, amazing crowd atmosphere
• Negatives: Production issues, shorter tournament duration

Fortnite World Cup 2019

• Positives: Massive prize pool, mainstream media attention
• Negatives: Single event format, limited competitive depth

Worlds 2017 combined the best elements of all these events - high competitive quality, mainstream recognition, cultural impact, and technological innovation.

Legacy and Current Influence 🌟

Eight years later, the influence of Worlds 2017 is still evident in the esports landscape:

Template for Major Events

• Ceremony standards - every major esports event now expects elaborate opening ceremony
• Venue selection - preference for iconic sports venues
• Technology integration - AR/VR effects are expected standard
• Cultural celebration - incorporation of local culture into international events

Community Impact

• "Legends Never Die" is still used during tribute moments
• Samsung Galaxy victory inspired countless underdog stories
• Production quality expectations dramatically increased
• Mainstream legitimacy for esports as whole industry

FAQ

Q: Why did Worlds 2017 specifically win the "Event of the Decade" award?
A: The combination of shocking finals result, breakthrough opening ceremony with AR dragon, iconic "Legends Never Die" anthem, and first use of Olympic stadium for esports.

Q: How did voting work for Esports Awards 2025?
A: 25% of votes came from fans, 75% from expert jury composed of esports experts, journalists, and industry professionals.

Q: Who were the players in the Samsung Galaxy roster at Worlds 2017?
A: CuVee (top), Ambition (jungle), Crown (mid), Ruler (ADC), and CoreJJ (support) with coach EdGar.

Q: How many people watched the Worlds 2017 finals?
A: Official numbers report over 60 million unique viewers across all platforms, with peak over 100 million concurrent viewers.

Q: What happened to Samsung Galaxy after Worlds 2017?
A: The team disbanded, CoreJJ moved to Team Liquid (NA), Ruler stayed in LCK, other players gradually retired or moved to other teams.

Q: Are AR effects from Worlds 2017 still being used?
A: Yes, AR technology became standard for major esports events, with continuous improvements each year.

Q: How did Worlds 2017 rank compared to other esports events?
A: It was consistently rated as top 3 esports event of all time in most industry surveys.

Q: Did Worlds 2017 influence the design of future League of Legends tournaments?
A: Absolutely - the standard for elaborate opening ceremonies, premium venues, and high production values was set by this event.

Q: Are full replays of ceremonies and matches available?
A: Yes, Riot Games maintains a complete archive on YouTube and official platforms.

Q: Is a commemorative event planned for the 10th anniversary in 2027?
A: Riot Games hasn't officially announced anything yet, but the community widely expects some special celebration.

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