Here are the matchups for the 2021 MSI knockout stage

The top four teams at MSI 2021 are ready for a fight to the finish.

Photo via Riot Games

After five days of raucous international play that saw 30 games take place between six of the most decorated League of Legends teams in the world, the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational rumble stage has come to a close. 

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Later this week, the top four teams from the first two stages of the event will compete in one final bracket to determine the 2021 MSI champion. 

These are the matchups for the 2021 MSI knockout stage, which is set to begin later this week. 

Screengrab via Riot Games

Friday, May 21 – semifinals

  • Royal Never Give Up vs. PSG Talon

Saturday, May 22 – semifinals

  • DWG KIA vs. MAD Lions

Sunday, May 23 – finals

  • Winner of RNG/PSG vs. winner of DWG/MAD

After securing the bracket’s top seed by finishing with a record of 8-2 in the rumble stage, DWG KIA were granted the privilege of selecting their opponent for the knockout stage. The team chose MAD Lions, leaving RNG and PSG Talon to face off against each other.

May 21 and 22 will sport one semifinal series apiece, while the grand finals on May 23 will serve as the deciding match in determining the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational champion. The MSI knockout stage format is single-elimination, meaning that one loss in a best-of-five series will spell the end of the losing team’s tournament run. 

The bracket will play also host to the first international best-of-five series of the 2021 season. Since the entirety of MSI has been played in a best-of-one format thus far, the remainder of the tournament could bring about a shift in strategy for all four teams involved. 


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Michael Kelly
Staff Writer covering World of Warcraft and League of Legends, among others. Mike's been with Dot since 2020, and has been covering esports since 2018.