G2 Esports secured the final bracket-stage slot with a 3-2 victory over GAM Esports on Sunday in the play-in stage of the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational in Vancouver.
The $2 million event features two teams from each League of Legends region — China, Korea, Pacific, the Americas and Europe-Middle East-Africa.
Gen.G Esports, T1, Anyone’s Legend, CTBC Flying Oyster, FlyQuest and KOI were seeded directly into the bracket stage.
The other four teams — Bilibili Gaming, FURIA, G2 Esports and GAM Esports — battled in the play-in stage for the final two bracket-stage berths.
All matches in the play-in and the double-elimination bracket stage are best-of-five. The winner of the grand final on July 12 will earn $500,000 and a spot in the $5 million League of Legends World Championship, to be played this fall in China.
GS Esports appeared to be poised for a clean sweep following a 29-minute win on blue and a 31-minute win on red, but GAM Esports rallied to pull even with 33-minute wins on blue and red. However, GS Esports prevailed in the decisive fifth game in 36 minutes on blue.
League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational prize pool:
1. $500,000, berth in League of Legends World Championship
2. $300,000
3. $240,000
4. $200,000
5-6. $160,000
7-8. $130,000
9. $100,000
10. $80,000
–Field Level Media
