Riot Games’ League of Legends launched in 2009 as an unassuming attempt at a free-to-play online arena inspired by a Warcraft III fan map—but it quickly grew into a behemoth. League of Legends has become a flagship of esports, and its 2025 World Championships peaked with 6.7 million viewers. Beyond the game itself, its characters (champions) and other intellectual property have spurred K-pop crossovers, active fan communities, and a popular Netflix show (Arcane).

