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League of Legends fans, the moment is finally upon us. In less than a week, on Saturday November 2nd 2024, the World Championship Finals will take centre stage at London’s iconic O2 Arena.
As thousands of uesport fans prepare to swarm the O2 Arena, where current Worlds 2023 champions T1 will face LPL first seed Bilibili Gaming, we’ve prepared a guide with everything you need to know to make the most of your time in and around the arena—a guide from one League fan to another.
Let’s first reach our destination. If it’s your first time visiting London, getting to the arena can feel like a bit of a trek, but it’s manageable with the right planning.
Located on the Greenwich Peninsula, the O2 is accessible via the Jubilee Line, with the North Greenwich station just a short walk away: the Arena’s entrance is around two minutes away from the underground’s exit.
If you need more help you can visit the Tube’s official website or check out the post below by the official League channels. Just be sure check which road to take ahead of time to get to the venue smoothly.
Once you arrive, you’ll be met with a lively area that already has plenty to offer even before you set foot inside. Surrounding the O2 Arena are food courts and restaurants, and, starting October 31st, the League Worlds Fan Fest will also take roots in the outside area of the Arena, filling it with booths and activities exclusively for fans.
Last year’s Fan Fest in Seoul had exclusive merchandise and several activities, including a 2XKO testing booth where fans could get their hands on the upcoming fighting game. With any luck, we’ll see similar activities here in London too, and I would bet on the presence of at least one Arcane-themed stand for some unique merchandise.
There’s also an Arcane London event taking place on November 16th for any fans sticking around for a few more weeks.
But let’s explore the other main attraction you’ll find outside the O2, an unforgettable outdoor experience that will make you feel on top of Worlds — quite literally.
For £39 per person, you can take on the O2 Arena’s iconic dome and climb to the top. Guided climbs start every 15 minutes, offering a unique view of London. But if climbing in League already takes a toll on your body and you don’t want to risk straining yourself before cheering in the arena, there are plenty of other options for your entertainment inside the arena. So, le’ts pass the security check and see what the 2024 League Worlds Finals’ venue has to offer.
Setting foot inside the O2, I was immediately taken aback by just how spacious the venue feels. The grand entrance is bustling, but even on a crowded weekend it didn’t feel cramped — a welcome surprise considering the massive crowd expected for the Finals next Saturday.
“Once inside, it was clear to me that the O2 Arena offers much more than any other Worlds Finals’ venue I’ve been to.”
Cecilia
Under one roof, there’s a full shopping mall with an outlet section offering everything from fashion to beauty services, along with an entertainment district featuring a multiplex cinema that will also broadcast the Worlds 2024 Finals as part of the LoL Cinemas experience.
But what really surprised me was just how many food options are there are to choose from. The O2 has over 30 dining options, so whatever your craving, you’ll find something to suit it. There was even a Baron’s Bites chicken shop pop-up!
From the classic food chains like Pizza Express, Nando’s, Las Iguanas and Five Guys, to lesser known places like Afrikana and Cabana, which offer Latin cuisine and Halal foods, there’s plenty of choice.
Speaking to few employees of the O2 shops, I noted Wasabi and Chopstix are the most popular, with both offering Asian cuisine.
‘The most talked-about dish was Zizzi’s risotto, however, for how much I was tempted to try it, I ultimately decided to steered away from eating Italian cuisine abroad [given I’m Italian!]’
Cecilia
And so I went for Margate Udon, which is located near the main entrance and also offers Asian food. I found a relaxed environment where, unfortunately, my phone service was nonexistent — but the circumstance just made me concentrate more on the quality of the food I had in front of me.
I tried to go for a low-priced dish and ordered a small katsu curry with noodles, fully prepared to taste yet another chain-restaurant quality food. However I had to reconsider my initial thought as I was left impressed by the delicious smoothness of my curry and crunchy texture of the fried chicken.
After a good meal I went to explore the O2 Arena a bit more and found plenty of options to keep myself entertained for a couple of hours after lunch.
There’s an arcade for classic gaming fun — which I immediately tried — along with a bowling hall. Next to the arcade there are several climbing walls, a good challenge if you’re up to proving your friends you actually have the skills to climb higher than gold — you just need good teammates.
But if you’re in the mood for a thrill, the rollercoaster VR experience or the iFly indoor skydiving are standout options that also give you a chance to test your limits.
However, for the die-hard gamers, there’s only one spot you can’t miss: the Virgin Media Gamepad, located right at the entrance. It’s a big red square establishment, hard to miss.
Packed with gaming stations and the latest tech, a dedicated space that feels like a tribute to the gaming community. As soon as I stepped closer, two employees spotted me wearing my 2023 Seoul Worlds jacket and we were instantly chatting about League and the upcoming Finals. After exchanging our ranks and mains they offered me a tour of the red-painted gaming house.
Our first stop on the first floor was The Cave, Gamepad’s VIP room, which you can reserve for free. It’s exclusive but accessible, with slots opening every month — which is great as the Final is on Nov 2, giving League fans the chance to snag a spot before doors open. Inside, The Cave is kitted out with an 8K TV, surround sound speakers, and a super comfy lounge setup.
“Just like being in your living room, but in a much nicer living room than most have,” one of the employees said.
It’s a place to fully unwind with games that don’t require fast reflexes, making it a laid-back space for friends to hang out and play together in a relaxed environment. To reserve this spot, I was told, you just need to obtain the O2 Priority status, which means having an O2 SIM card or Virgin Media broadband subscription.
The top floor is equipped with over ten Xbox-powered gaming stations and is perfect for walk-ins, which makes it super accessible for fans just stopping by. There’s a queue and a timer for each station, but there’s no limit to how many times you can rejoin the line and keep playing.
While the absence of PCs make it not the perfect place for ARAM die-hards like me who would like to queue for a fast match before Finals, it’s a great place to hang out with friends for a quick gaming session before losing your voice cheering for either BLG or T1.
The employees told me that during Fan Fest, Gamepad’s hours will extend from 10am to 8pm, with daily competitions and prizes for fans, including a chance to win Finals tickets – might be worth checking it out the Friday before Finals.
With such a welcoming atmosphere and the excitement of League all around, Virgin Media Gamepad is a must-try for anyone coming to Worlds Finals this week, whether you’re here to play or simply soak up the energy.
It was time for me to head back to my hotel and as I made my way out of the O2 I couldn’t help but think how perfect this place is for the World Championship Finals. I‘ ve had the fortune to experience two Worlds Finals in person — first in San Francisco and then, last year, in Seoul — and I was skeptical about London hosting the event after last year’s MSI, but visiting the O2 Arena changed my mind.
It’s more than just a venue, it’s a destination, packed with everything anyone could want from a place where to chill with friends — and that was a week before anything League-related could even be spotted in the surroundings of the venue.
But as Saturday approaches, the O2 and the area surrounding it, will likely transform into a haven for League fans visiting for the event. And honestly? I can’t wait to see it all come to life.
Further reading: BLG Xun interview on the key to winning the Worlds 2024 grand final vs T1 in London
Hi, I’m Cecilia! A freelance writer mainly focusing on League of Legends and its esports scenes. Find me at events interviewing anyone who has a story to tell, from players to the talented people working behind the scenes. Do you also have a story to share? Reach out to me via Twitter.
