Car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz AG is driving activity around the League of Legends Worlds Championship, aka Worlds 2023 in Korea, with the likes of Faker and T1.
Already an official automotive partner of League of Legends, Mercedes will now be supporting Worlds 2023, which will be held in Seoul and Busan from October 10th to November 19th 2023. The news comes as the play-ins stage kicks off today.
This year’s World Championship, where as usual the League of Legends esports elite will compete for the Summoner’s Cup, is accompanied by Mercedes-Benz for the fourth consecutive year.
Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Marketing & Sales, said: “The dynamic and innovative mindset of the esports community aligns seamlessly with our brand’s dedication to push boundaries and our pioneering cutting-edge technology. Together with our partner Riot Games, we look forward to being a part of this culture and create a memorable experience for our fans worldwide.”
Naz Aletaha, Global Head of League of Legends Esports, Riot Games, added: “Mercedes-Benz’s and Riot’s joint dedication to excellence and innovation, combined with Seoul’s tech-forward culture, creates a synergy that will enhance the Worlds 23 experience from every aspect.”
The news comes almost a year after fellow car manufacturer BMW reduced its esports sponsorship spend.
‘I really want to be the champion of Worlds 2023 in Korea’ – Faker
Mercedes-Benz Korea, which has also been sponsoring top Korean organisation T1 since May this year, is planning events for Korean fans in line with the 2023 League of Legends World Championship season.
Expectations are as usual high for T1, whose LoL team includes superstar player Lee Sang-hyeok, aka Faker.
T1, three-time League of Legends World Champions, are aiming to secure their first Worlds victory since 2016, by winning the title in their home country at this year’s tournament. They came close last year, with DRX narrowly beating T1 in the Worlds 2022 final.
Mercedes unveiled a branded interview with Faker, about Worlds 2023 in Korea:
Faker, the leader of T1, said: “I’ve been waiting for this tournament for about a year so I’m really looking forward to it. I’d like to do my best in a short period of time.
“Many Korean fans have higher expectations since Worlds 2023 is being held in Korea. This means a lot to me, so I really want to be the champion of Worlds 2023 in Korea.
“Esports is a cultural activity enjoyed by youth all around the world. It is currently most popular in Korea but I think it will become more popular in regions like Europe and the United States.
“The fact that a large company like Mercedes-Benz sponsors esports means that the esports industry now has a stable growth engine. This will open ways for more growth in the esports industry and more fans will become interested in esports.
“I think how far T1 make it during Worlds depends on how much effort and preparation we put in. We will definitely work hard and prepare for the upcoming matches at Worlds.”
Faker, T1
“It is an honour to play in Worlds 2023 in Korea, here in my home country, the support of the fans and the whole esports culture in Korea is unparalleled. It is amazing to see a global brand like Mercedes-Benz embrace the passion that defines our community.”
On his favourite Mercedes, Faker said he likes the electric Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 car, which was provided to him by Mercedes.
Mercedes-Benz is conducting a global campaign, ‘The Hunt for Glory’, under the official motto of the Worlds 23: ‘The Grind, The Glory’. In addition, it’s running a digital scavenger hunt for fans around Worlds 2023 in Korea.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
