Worlds 2022 Final: Co-Streams, Pick’Em and Upsets
How co-streams shaped live viewing and engagement
Co-streaming the Worlds final in San Francisco marked a notable shift in how Riot and the community deliver live esports content, expanding accessibility and personality-driven coverage. Broadcasters with large followings brought distinct commentary styles and fan interactions that changed engagement dynamics across regions.
For the first time ever in League of Legends history, the Worlds final won’t take place on a standalone stream. It will be co-streamed by three streamers and one duo, and they’ll all be on-site in San Francisco.
There will be one stream for four major languages: Chinese, English, Korean, and Spanish.
Here’s a list of all the streamers who will be hosting them, and what language their stream will be in.
- Sykkuno – English. The English co-stream will be hosted by none other than YouTube star Sykkuno. Not only is he immensely popular, which will bode well in terms of viewership, but he’s also passionate about the game.
- Ibai Llanos – Spanish. The Spanish co-stream will be hosted by Ibai Llanos, the fourth most-followed streamer on Twitch. Ibai has a whopping 11.8 million followers, many of which will tune in to watch the Worlds 2022 final
- Sangho Lee and Min Gyo Kim – Korean. Two of the biggest streamers in South Korea, Sangho Lee and Min Gyo Kim, are teaming up to host the South Korean co-stream. It’ll be twice the fun and have twice the viewers.
- Rita – Chinese. Last but not least is Chinese streamer Rita, who—you guessed it, will host the Chinese co-stream. She’s clocked up millions of views playing League throughout the years, and co-streaming the Worlds final will add a few million more.
The League of Legends World Championship semi-finals have come to an end. Before this weekend we had a total of eight perfect Pick’Ems left, but one team stood in the way of fans getting their ultimate skins and that team is called DRX.
Each and every player who had a perfect Pick’Em chose the same outcome of the 2022 League of Legends World Championship. Too bad their picks are wrong now, eh?
On October 30, 2022 Gen.G, the LCK first seed faced off against DRX who reverse-swept EDG, the reigning League of Legends World Champions, in the quarter-finals to be there. Most fans and experts picked Gen.G to win.
Throughout the entire 2022 LCK season, DRX has not managed a single win against Gen.G. Gen.G also looked dominant throughout the year, especially summer, earning them the LCK Summer title as well.
So it makes complete sense that most fans had pegged Gen.G to win the match and give us a third T1 vs. Gen.G final in 2022. All eight players with perfect Pick’Em to this point chose Gen.G over DRX to make it to San Fransisco on November 5, 2022. Of course, almost 83% of players also chose Gen.G thanks to their incredible record throughout the year.
Those perfect Pick’Em were shattered though with DRX shaking off their nerve’s in the first match and kicking it into high gear, earning Deft his first start at a League of Legends World Championship final, as well as BeryL his third finals’ appearance in a row.
This means that no one will be getting all Ultimate Skins gifted from Riot. This League of Legends World Championship has been insane, with more champions than ever before played, as well as some surprising victories. This will also be the first time in League of Legends Worlds history that a team that competed in the play-in stage is playing in the Finals. Who do you have for your Pick’Em in the finals? Let us know – please comment below.
Meet the co-streamers and their broadcast languages
The selection of Sykkuno, Ibai Llanos, Rita and the Korean duo reflects a deliberate mix of global reach, regional expertise and entertainment value. Each host brought a different fanbase to the live show, increasing language-specific reach for the official event.
Having established personalities on-site also affected social chatter, real-time reactions and secondary content such as highlight clips and translated segments. That cross-pollination keeps Worlds coverage lively and accessible to viewers who prefer personality-led commentary.
Sykkuno, Ibai, Rita and the Korean duo details
Sykkuno’s English commentary skews casual and community-focused, Ibai offers high production and Spanish-speaking reach, the Korean duo adds local context and Rita covers mainland Chinese viewership and culture. Their styles vary, but each increases the appeal for different audience slices.
Why streamer reach matters for Worlds viewership
Streamer reach converts into broader exposure for the tournament, driving peak concurrent viewers and creating secondary streams of engagement such as clips and social shares. That reach also amplifies key moments, making turning points like DRX’s comeback trend globally.
For rights holders and sponsors, co-streaming helps measure regional interest and can influence future broadcast strategies. For fans, this model offers more ways to experience the final with commentators they enjoy and trust.
How co-streamer popularity changes engagement metrics
Large followings bring immediate viewer spikes and longer tail viewing from post-event highlights, which matters for advertisers and rights holders tracking audience retention. Personality-driven commentary helps convert casual viewers into loyal followers of both the streamer and the sport.
Pick’Em outcomes explained and notable upsets
Pick’Em is Riot’s tournament prediction game where fans forecast match winners and final outcomes to earn rewards, including the coveted Ultimate Skins for perfect entries. When an underdog like DRX overturns heavy favourites such as Gen.G, it cascades through Pick’Em leaderboards and community conversations alike.
The loss of perfect entries demonstrates how volatile single-elimination play can be and why tournament history often defies season-long form. Unexpected results heighten interest, but they also remind fans that esports outcomes are uncertain.
How this final affected Pick’Em perfects and skins
With DRX ending the perfect runs, no one received all Ultimate Skins from Riot, illustrating the slim margins between a reward and a miss. Fans who followed statistical favourites were reminded that upsets are part of the competitive spectacle.
Historic firsts: play-in team reaches the final
DRX’s path from the play-in stage to the Worlds final is unprecedented and highlights the depth of competition across regions. This achievement also reshapes narratives about resilience and preparation within professional squads.
Such a run improves the perception of the play-in stage as more than a preliminary filter and gives smaller-region representatives proof that deep runs are possible. It also offers compelling storylines for future tournaments and broadcasts.
What this means for esports broadcasting strategies
Co-streaming suggests a future where rights holders collaborate with creators to broaden reach while preserving the official broadcast’s integrity. This hybrid approach balances polished production with the authenticity and community engagement creators bring.
Expect Riot and other tournament organisers to refine co-stream guidelines, balancing commentary freedom with brand and competitive integrity as co-streamed events become more commonplace. The learnings from Worlds 2022 will likely inform approaches to language coverage and talent selection.
Viewing tips for fans and responsible betting advice
If you follow co-streams, check official schedules and follow verified channels to avoid confusion and account impersonators. For fans considering betting on esports events, remember that staking money carries risk and is for those aged 18 or over only.
You can explore bookmaker markets and compare odds, but always set limits, avoid chasing losses, and view any wager as entertainment rather than a way to make money. You can explore current bookmaker offers through our comparison tools if you choose to bet responsibly.
Responsible betting reminders for esports viewers
Always confirm age and jurisdiction rules before placing any bets; in the UK betting is restricted to those aged 18 and over. Never bet with money earmarked for bills, rent, or other essential expenses, and seek help if gambling stops being enjoyable.
You can explore our recommended bookmaker free bet listings here: https://bestofbets.com/free-bets for responsibly presented offers. You can also see current casino bonus offers on this page: https://bestofbets.com/casino-bonus for those considering casino promotions.
How tournament surprises affect wider sports audiences
Upsets like DRX over Gen.G attract the attention of general sports fans who value drama and underdog narratives, bridging esports to traditional sports viewership. Those crossover moments increase mainstream media coverage and invite comparisons to football cup shocks or unpredictability in horse racing.
For sports-betting audiences accustomed to football and racing, esports provides a different market with rapid event cycles and distinct market behaviours, so education and cautious engagement are essential. If choosing to bet on esports, treat it with the same discipline and responsible approach as other sports.
Comparing esports engagement to football and horse racing
Esports engagement mirrors football in passionate fanbases and mirrors horse racing in the rapid, event-driven nature of outcomes and market movements. Each discipline requires its own knowledge base for informed viewing or betting, and crossover fans benefit from treating esports as a distinct category.
Who are the co-streamers and what languages do they use?
The co-streamers were Sykkuno (English), Ibai Llanos (Spanish), Rita (Chinese) and a Korean duo of Sangho Lee and Min Gyo Kim, covering four major languages on-site in San Francisco. Their differing styles broadened reach and offered several viewing options for fans worldwide.
Did any team from play-ins ever reach the Worlds final?
Yes, DRX became the first team to progress from the play-in stage all the way to the Worlds final, marking a historic milestone for the competition. That achievement emphasises the competitive depth present across regions and stages.
How did DRX manage to upset Gen.G in the semi-final?
DRX shook off nerves in the opening match and built momentum through strong teamfighting and adaptation across the series, ultimately overturning Gen.G despite prior season form. The series demonstrated the unpredictable nature of knockout play.
What happened to perfect Pick’Em entries for Worlds 2022?
Perfect Pick’Em entries were eliminated when DRX defeated Gen.G, meaning no player retained a flawless prediction and thus no one received all Ultimate Skins from Riot. This outcome highlights how small margins separate reward from disappointment in prediction games.
Will co-streams change future League viewing and coverage?
Co-streaming is likely to feature more prominently in future events as organisers seek to balance official production with creator-driven audience engagement. Lessons from these broadcasts will inform language coverage, talent selection and community interaction strategies.
Are there responsible gambling tips for esports bettors?
If you choose to bet on esports, be aged 18 or over, set affordable limits, and only wager money you can afford to lose. Treat betting as entertainment, avoid chasing losses, and use available self-exclusion or limit tools if needed.
How can fans follow co-streams safely and legally in UK?
Follow verified channels and check Riot’s official announcements for authorised co-stream lists, and ensure any betting activity complies with UK law and age restrictions (18+). Use reputable platforms and be cautious of unofficial streams or third-party impersonators.
