After battling through their respective regions, eight teams from Wildcard Regions around the world are moving forward to their next test: the International Wildcard Invitational.<\/p>\n
Brazil, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Japan, Latin America North and South, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and Turkey are all going to be facing off for a chance to earn a spot in the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational in Shanghai, China and prove themselves on the international stage. This is an enormous opportunity, and each team will be starving for the win.<\/p>\n
WHEN IS THE IWCI?<\/p>\n
The International Wildcard Invitational will be hosted from April 16 – 20 at the Riot Games Studios in Mexico City. The 21st will be reserved to host tie-breaker matches. All of this leads to the Grand Finals, held live on Saturday, April 23rd.<\/p>\n
The top two Wildcard Teams will go head to head at the Palacio de los Deportes for their ticket to MSI.<\/p>\n
WHO’S PLAYING AT THE IWCI?<\/p>\n
Meet the eight teams who have the honor of representing their regions:<\/p>\n
LAN<\/p>\n
LYON GAMING
\n\u2022TOP: Daniel “Jirall” del Castillo
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Marcelo “Thyak” Ramones
\n\u2022MID: Uri “Uri” Sch\u00f6lderle
\n\u2022ADC: Ali “Seeiya” Bracamontes
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Diego “Arce” Arce Chang<\/p>\n
This will be LAN\u2019s return to the IWCI after their first participation in 2013. Lyon Gaming will have the privilege of representing Latin America North once again — and if they play their cards right, they\u2019ll be moving onto MSI.<\/p>\n
LAS<\/p>\n
ISURUS GAMING
\n\u2022TOP: Franco “Pride” Sanzana
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Claudio “Clatos” Navarrete
\n\u2022MID: Benjamin “Emp” Ramirez
\n\u2022ADC: Juan “Zeicro” Fierro
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Leandro “Newbie” Marcos<\/p>\n
LAS are a favorite heading into the IWCI after their dominant performances in world-class events such as the International Challenge. The heat is on as they enter the ring in one of the most competitive Wildcards yet.<\/p>\n
CBLOL<\/p>\n
KEYD STARS
\n\u2022TOP: Leonardo “Robo” Souza
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Gabriel “Jungle” Peixoto
\n\u2022MID: Murilo “takeshi” Alves
\n\u2022ADC: Andr\u00e9 “esA” Pavezi
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Jorge “Verfix” Silveira<\/p>\n
Brazil has the most advanced infrastructure of any of the Wildcard Regions, and its representative is heading into the IWCI looking strong. With two performances on the international stage at Worlds nder the regions\u2019 belt, Keyd Stars is going to be the ultimate test for many of their competitors.<\/p>\n
OPL<\/p>\n
THE CHIEFS ESPORTS CLUB
\n\u2022TOP: Brandon “Swip3rR” Holland
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Samuel “Spookz” Broadley
\n\u2022MID: Simon “Swiffer” Papamarkos
\n\u2022ADC: Derek “Raydere” Trang
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Bryce “EGym” Paule<\/p>\n
The Chiefs have been an Oceanic mainstay, and they\u2019ll be looking to prove themselves as a region this IWCI. OPL\u2019s unpredictable performances in previous international tournaments may be the key to carrying them to victory.<\/p>\n
LCL<\/p>\n
HARD RANDOM
\n\u2022TOP: Dmitri “Smurf” Ivanov
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Alexander “pvpstejos” Glazkov
\n\u2022MID: Mykhailo “Kira” Harmash
\n\u2022ADC: Vladislav “aMiracle” Scherbyna
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Kirill “Likkrit” Malofeyev<\/p>\n
The Commonwealth of Independent States are a constant at the IWCI, and have either been champions or taken out the champions every year. However, they occasionally get knocked out by a dark horse contender. With a ticket to the MSI on the line, they\u2019ll have to fight every team with equal fervor.<\/p>\n
GPL<\/p>\n
THE SAIGON JOKERS
\n\u2022TOP: T\u01b0\u1eddng “QTV” V\u0169 Nguy\u1ec5n Tr\u1ea7n
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Gi\u00e1o “Optimus” S\u01b0
\n\u2022MID: \u0110o\u00e0n “Warzone” Ng\u1ecdc V\u0103n S\u01a1n
\n\u2022ADC: Ph\u1ea1m “Minas” Minh Ph\u01b0\u1edbc
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Anh “Tsu” Duy L\u00ea<\/p>\n
These dark horses from Southeast Asia will be roaring out of the gate for their shot at MSI. While GPL representatives are feared for their top tier mechanics and aggressive gameplay, they may be stopped by teams who have adapted to a teamwork heavy meta.<\/p>\n
TCL<\/p>\n
SUPERMASSIVE ESPORTS
\n\u2022TOP: Berke “Thaldrin” Demir, As\u0131m “fabFabulous” Cihat Karakaya
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Furkan “Stomaged” G\u00fcng\u00f6r
\n\u2022MID: Koray “Naru” B\u0131\u00e7ak
\n\u2022ADC: Nicolaj “Achuu” Ellesgaard
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Mustafa “Dumbledoge” Kemal G\u00f6kselo\u011flu<\/p>\n
Turkey has more on the line than an invite to MSI — they\u2019re also the current IWCI defending champion. This region is popular with fans and experts alike due to their solid teamwork and competitive appeal.<\/p>\n
LJL<\/p>\n
DETONATION FOCUSME
\n\u2022TOP: Yuta “Yutapon” Sugiura
\n\u2022JUNGLE: Yun “Catch” Sang-ho
\n\u2022MID: Kyohei “Ceros” Yoshida
\n\u2022ADC: Shotaro “Zerost” Ikeda
\n\u2022SUPPORT: Han “Eternal” Gi-hun<\/p>\n
The youngest region to enter the IWCI, Japan has a lot to prove. Despite struggling in international tournaments in previous years, Japan is determined to beat out the other teams and show themselves to be a competitive region.<\/p>\n
WHAT’S THE FORMAT?<\/p>\n
The International Wildcard Invitational is divided into two stages: A single round robin Group Stage and a Bracket Stage. The top four teams from Groups will proceed into the Bracket Stage and play in a single-elimination Best of 5 tournament to determine the IWCI champion.<\/p>\n
WHAT’S THE SCHEDULE?<\/p>\n
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
\n\u2022LYON vs ISURUS – 16:00 CDT \/ 2 PM PT \/ 11 PM CEST
\n\u2022HARD RANDOM vs INTZ – 17:00 CDT \/ 3 PM PT \/ 12 AM CEST
\n\u2022SUPERMASSIVE vs CHIEFS – 18:00 CDT \/ 4 PM PT \/ 1 AM CEST
\n\u2022FOCUSME vs JOKERS – 19:00 CDT \/ 5 PM PT \/ 2 AM CEST
\n\u2022CHIEFS vs HARD RANDOM – 20:00 CDT \/ 6 PM PT \/ 3 AM CEST
\n\u2022INTZ vs LYON – 21:00 CDT \/ 7 PM PT \/ 4 AM CEST
\n\u2022ISURUS vs FOCUSME – 22:00 CDT \/ 8 PM PT \/ 5 AM CEST<\/p>\n
MONDAY, APRIL 18
\n\u2022SUPERMASSIVE vs HARD RANDOM – 16:00 CDT \/ 2 PM PT \/ 11 PM CEST
\n\u2022JOKERS vs CHIEFS – 17:00 CDT \/ 3 PM PT \/ 12 AM CEST
\n\u2022INTZ vs FOCUSME – 18:00 CDT \/ 4 PM PT \/ 1 AM CEST
\n\u2022HARD RANDOM vs ISURUS – 19:00 CDT \/ 5 PM PT \/ 2 AM CEST
\n\u2022CHIEFS vs LYON – 20:00 CDT \/ 6 PM PT \/ 3 AM CEST
\n\u2022ISURUS vs SUPERMASSIVE – 21:00 CDT \/ 7 PM PT \/ 4 AM CEST
\n\u2022LYON vs JOKERS – 22:00 CDT \/ 8 PM PT \/ 5 AM CEST<\/p>\n
SUNDAY, APRIL 17
\n\u2022CHIEFS vs INTZ – 16:00 CDT \/ 2 PM PT \/ 11 PM CEST
\n\u2022JOKERS vs SUPERMASSIVE – 17:00 CDT \/ 3 PM PT \/ 12 AM CEST
\n\u2022HARD RANDOM vs LYON – 18:00 CDT \/ 4 PM PT \/ 1 AM CEST
\n\u2022INTZ vs ISURUS – 19:00 CDT \/ 5 PM PT \/ 2 AM CEST
\n\u2022LYON vs FOCUSME – 20:00 CDT \/ 6 PM PT \/ 3 AM CEST
\n\u2022ISURUS vs JOKERS – 21:00 CDT \/ 7 PM PT \/ 4 AM CEST
\n\u2022FOCUSME vs SUPERMASSIVE – 22:00 CDT \/ 8 PM PT \/ 5 AM CEST<\/p>\n
TUESDAY, APRIL 19
\n\u2022JOKERS vs HARD RANDOM – 16:00 CDT \/ 2 PM PT \/ 11 PM CEST
\n\u2022FOCUSME vs CHIEFS – 17:00 CDT \/ 3 PM PT \/ 12 AM CEST
\n\u2022SUPERMASSIVE vs INTZ – 18:00 CDT \/ 4 PM PT \/ 1 AM CEST
\n\u2022CHIEFS vs ISURUS – 19:00 CDT \/ 5 PM PT \/ 2 AM CEST
\n\u2022HARD RANDOM vs FOCUSME – 20:00 CDT \/ 6 PM PT \/ 3 AM CEST
\n\u2022LYON vs SUPERMASSIVE – 21:00 CDT \/ 7 PM PT \/ 4 AM CEST
\n\u2022INTZ vs JOKERS – 22:00 CDT \/ 8 PM PT \/ 5 AM CEST<\/p>\n
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
\n\u2022Semis A vs D Game 1 – 12:00 CDT \/ 10 AM PT \/ 5 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis A vs D Game 2 – 13:00 CDT \/ 11 AM PT \/ 6 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis A vs D Game 3 – 14:00 CDT \/ 12 PM PT \/ 7 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis A vs D Game 4 – 15:00 CDT \/ 1 PM PT \/ 8 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis A vs D Game 5 – 16:00 CDT \/ 2 PM PT \/ 9 PM CEST<\/p>\n
THURSDAY, APRIL 21
\n\u2022Semis B vs C Game 1 – 12:00 CDT \/ 10 AM PT \/ 5 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis B vs C Game 2 – 13:00 CDT \/ 11 AM PT \/ 6 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis B vs C Game 3 – 14:00 CDT \/ 12 PM PT \/ 7 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis B vs C Game 4 – 15:00 CDT \/ 1 PM PT \/ 8 PM CEST
\n\u2022Semis B vs C Game 5 – 16:00 CDT \/ 2 PM PT \/ 9 PM CEST<\/p>\n
SATURDAY, APRIL 23<\/p>\n
The Finals schedule will be revealed next week. Stay tuned! <\/p>\n
HOW CAN I WATCH?<\/p>\n
This may be a Wildcard Invitational, but none of these teams are joking around. Tickets are available<\/a> for those who want to see the action unfold live, and for those who can\u2019t make it to historic Mexico City, we have you covered: We\u2019ll be showing every second of the action in English live on Lolesports via our official Twitch<\/a> and YouTube<\/a> channels.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After battling through their respective regions, eight teams from Wildcard Regions around the world are moving forward to their next test: the International Wildcard Invitational. Brazil, the Commonwealth of Independent States, Japan, Latin America North and South, Oceania, Southeast Asia, and Turkey are all going to be facing off for a chance to earn a … <\/p>\n