Photo: Mercedes-Benz
League of Legends (LoL): officially a free online battle arena "with over 140 champions to make epic plays with" in teams of five taking each other on imagined maps. Also officially, a game with 150 million registered players, with tens of millions of them playing it on a constant basis. Unofficially, an industry in itself, so powerful it even had one of the planet's most important carmakers jump on board.
Back in 2018, the Germans from Mercedes-Benz decided to retire from their role as sponsor for the German Football Association (DFB) after 46 uninterrupted years, and focus more on becoming a constant presence in the gaming industry.
Then, three years ago the company announced it had become the exclusive automotive partner of any and all League of Legends eSports events, including the Mid-Season Invitational, Worlds, and the All-Star Event. It also became the presenting sponsor of the Trophy Ceremony at global events.
Since that time, Mercedes' involvement with the LoL has taken many forms, including efforts to make a world championship ring for the best of players, and the release of the virtual Project SMNR.
SMNR stands for Summoner, which is basically the name given to LoL players, the best of which are rewarded during the League of Legends Worlds finals - arguably the planet's biggest eSports event - with a trophy called the Summoner's Cup.
2023's finals will take place on Sunday November 19, at the Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Two teams, called T1 and WBG, will go against each other for the glory of being LoL champion, the aforementioned cup, but also a prize pool in the millions of dollars.
Mercedes has a couple of big stakes in this event. First up, the Korean T1 team is sponsored by the German carmaker, so a win from them would of course mean a lot for the brand and its involvement in eSports.
The second is the fact the final's trophy, the Summoner's Cup, will be delivered to the scene by means of a Mercedes-Benz EQS. It's not your standard SUV, but one with a modified rear trunk and a module required to properly and safely transport the trophy. That's because the thing is incredibly heavy, tipping the scale at a massive 44 pounds (20 kg).
The trophy, which was first awarded back in 2012, will go to the winning team together with a Championship Ring for each of the team members. Made by Mercedes together with Riot Games, the brains behind League of Legends, each ring is meant to replicate the design lines of the Mercedes-EQ line of vehicles.
As far as materials go, the rings are made of white gold and sapphire glass, and they kind of remind one of similar items making the rounds in more serious sporting competitions taking place around the globe.
Then, three years ago the company announced it had become the exclusive automotive partner of any and all League of Legends eSports events, including the Mid-Season Invitational, Worlds, and the All-Star Event. It also became the presenting sponsor of the Trophy Ceremony at global events.
Since that time, Mercedes' involvement with the LoL has taken many forms, including efforts to make a world championship ring for the best of players, and the release of the virtual Project SMNR.
SMNR stands for Summoner, which is basically the name given to LoL players, the best of which are rewarded during the League of Legends Worlds finals - arguably the planet's biggest eSports event - with a trophy called the Summoner's Cup.
2023's finals will take place on Sunday November 19, at the Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea. Two teams, called T1 and WBG, will go against each other for the glory of being LoL champion, the aforementioned cup, but also a prize pool in the millions of dollars.
Mercedes has a couple of big stakes in this event. First up, the Korean T1 team is sponsored by the German carmaker, so a win from them would of course mean a lot for the brand and its involvement in eSports.
The second is the fact the final's trophy, the Summoner's Cup, will be delivered to the scene by means of a Mercedes-Benz EQS. It's not your standard SUV, but one with a modified rear trunk and a module required to properly and safely transport the trophy. That's because the thing is incredibly heavy, tipping the scale at a massive 44 pounds (20 kg).
The trophy, which was first awarded back in 2012, will go to the winning team together with a Championship Ring for each of the team members. Made by Mercedes together with Riot Games, the brains behind League of Legends, each ring is meant to replicate the design lines of the Mercedes-EQ line of vehicles.
As far as materials go, the rings are made of white gold and sapphire glass, and they kind of remind one of similar items making the rounds in more serious sporting competitions taking place around the globe.
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