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IN 2011, A FEW hundred people at a Swedish computer festival saw the first League of Legends World Championship. Now it's the event in esports, selling out Staples Center in 45 minutes. On Sept. 29, 16 teams from four continents begin a monthlong quest for the Summoner's Cup. First step, the group stage: Four teams enter, two leave -- like the World Cup, but with fingers instead of feet. Here's what to expect.
Group A
This group contains the tournament's top-ranked team, the ROX Tigers. But some European upstarts, North American mainstays and unpredictable Russians look to make life difficult.
ROX TIGERS - SOUTH KOREA
POWER RANKING: 1
Korean teams have won the past three worlds, and ROX is the favorite to be the fourth straight and shed its reputation as perpetual runner-up to compatriot SKT.
G2 ESPORTS - EUROPE
POWER RANKING: 6
This team dominated Europe in its first year in the top division, but inexperience might prove its undoing. Still, this is as favorable a draw as it could hope for.
COUNTER LOGIC GAMING - NORTH AMERICA
POWER RANKING: 12
CLG has been erratic all summer but has a history of pulling off dramatic upsets when expectations are low. ROX and G2 would be foolish to count this team out.
ALBUS NOX LUNA - RUSSIA
POWER RANKING: 16
This wild-card team likes to lure its opponents into a false sense of security before turning the tables with unconventional strategies. Doubtful it can surprise ROX, though.
Group B
Group B is in some ways the most intriguing. It features the defending world champions, the team that knows how to beat them and the team that's peaking at just the right time.
SK TELECOM T1 - SOUTH KOREA
POWER RANKING: 3
Reigning world champion SKT has had a poor season by its own lofty standards but should easily boss this group to make it to the quarterfinals.
FLASH WOLVES - TAIWAN
POWER RANKING: 7
This dark horse is the only team in the world that plays better against South Korean foes, having beaten SKT and ROX in the past year. Its key test: a surging Cloud9.
CLOUD9 - NORTH AMERICA
POWER RANKING: 9
Cloud9 might be a 3-seed, but it sure isn't playing like it. Led by Jeong "Impact" Eon-young, one of the field's most in-form players, its hot streak might get hotter.
I MAY - CHINA
POWER RANKING: 11
I May wasn't supposed to be here. Five months ago, the team was in the amateur division. Now it's at worlds. How far can this Cinderella go? Probably fourth.
Group C
EDward Gaming is a virtual lock to advance, but the second spot is up for grabs. The remaining three teams are equally matched -- consider this the Group of Life.
EDWARD GAMING - CHINA
POWER RANKING: 2
The reigning Chinese champion went undefeated in the summer season and boasts three of the best individual players in the tournament. A top-four finish is in the cards.
H2K GAMING - EUROPE
POWER RANKING: 10
H2K, a squad that loves nothing better than a good fight, could become the sensation of the tournament, provided it takes AHQ seriously in the group phase.
AHQ E-SPORTS CLUB - TAIWAN
POWER RANKING: 14
It's three straight worlds for AHQ, another team that likes to charge into fights no matter the odds. Expect sparks to fly when it takes on H2K.
INTZ E-SPORTS - BRAZIL
POWER RANKING: 15
INTZ was one of the best teams that never made it. Until now. Its strength lies in its unity: The players have been together a whopping two years, a lifetime in esports.
Group D
Welcome to the Group of Death. Team SoloMid, Samsung Galaxy and Royal Never Give Up all aspire to deep runs into the knockout stage, but at least one will see its dream get pentakilled.
TEAM SOLOMID - NORTH AMERICA
POWER RANKING: 4
TSM is the best North American team ever to enter worlds; OK, so two players are Danish. We'll take 'em! Anything less than a top-four finish would be a disappointment.
SAMSUNG GALAXY - SOUTH KOREA
POWER RANKING: 5
After winning the 2014 title, Samsung's players left for the wealthier Chinese league. This rebuilt team lacks star power, but a run at the cup isn't out of the question.
ROYAL NEVER GIVE UP - CHINA
POWER RANKING: 8
Royal Never Give Up, a finalist in 2013 and 2014, looks strong on paper, but its star-studded lineup has failed to jell in recent months.
SPLYCE - EUROPE
POWER RANKING: 13
Splyce has gone from fighting for survival to worlds in just five months. The roster lacks experience, and this big stage is mostly an opportunity to learn for the future.
ESPN reporters Adel Chouadria, Tyler Erzberger, Steven Nguyen and Xander Torres contributed to this story. The rankings are by ESPN.