Riot Games released “Sacrifice,” the official anthem for the 2025 League of Legends World Championship, on Monday. The cinematic video marks 15 years of Worlds competition and concludes with a tribute to Shushei, the Polish mid laner who won the first-ever World Championship with Fnatic in 2011 and passed away in April 2024.
Hong Kong singer-songwriter G.E.M. (Gloria Tang Sze-wing) performs the track, marking her first collaboration with Riot for a Worlds anthem. The song takes a slower, more cinematic approach compared to previous years’ high-energy releases.
The animated music video recreates defining moments from across Worlds history. Faker’s signature Azir plays feature prominently, including an Emperor’s Divide that separates Ruler’s Varus—a nod to the longstanding T1 versus Gen.G rivalry. TheShy’s legendary Aatrox performance against G2 in the 2018 finals appears with the multi-man knock-up that cemented Invictus Gaming’s championship run.
European stars get significant screen time throughout. Caps appears multiple times, including his dominant Sylas carry against Gen.G in the 2020 quarterfinals. The video also highlights Levi’s Karthus ultimate during GAM’s upset victory over Top Esports at Worlds 2022—one of the tournament’s most memorable minor-region triumphs. Perkz, Rekkles, and a visual reference to Albus Nox Luna’s 2016 quarterfinal run round out the roster of callbacks.
The animation quality stands out. High-polish action sequences blend different eras together, cutting between player silhouettes walking toward the Summoner’s Cup and explosive teamfight recreations. The visual approach mirrors Riot’s past anniversary content by anchoring competitive history to recognizable moments rather than following a single narrative thread.
G.E.M. brings powerhouse vocals to a track built for commemoration rather than pure hype. The song’s slower build matches the reflective tone of the anniversary theme. Riot will use “Sacrifice” throughout Worlds 2025 broadcasts, from pre-show packages to arena intros and likely the Opening Ceremony.
The video’s final shot shows archival footage of Shushei hoisting the Season 1 trophy. It’s a deliberate in-memoriam moment honoring the player who helped establish professional League of Legends in its earliest days. Shushei competed when the scene was tiny compared to today’s packed arenas and multi-million dollar prize pools.
From Phreak’s basement to stadium stages
That closing tribute connects Worlds 2025 directly to its origins. The first World Championship took place at DreamHack in Sweden with a $100,000 prize pool. Fifteen years later, Worlds draws millions of viewers and represents the peak of competitive League.
Community response praised the animation and historical depth. Fans particularly appreciated the Shushei tribute and the representation of multiple regions and eras. Some viewers noted the song feels more like a celebration than a traditional hype anthem—which tracks given the 15-year milestone focus.
