Worlds 2016: Semifinals Survival Guide

TL;DR:

• Semifinals will be at Madison Square Garden with SKT vs. ROX on Oct 21 and SSG vs. H2K on Oct 22.
• Madison Square Garden doors open at 4:00 PM local time (Eastern Time) and games begin at 6:00 PM ET.
• The Riftwalk will be at Penn Plaza Pavilion on Oct 21-22. Doors open at 10:00 AM ET and line caps at 4:00 PM ET each day.

The final two teams who will fight for the Summoner’s Cup will be determined at historic Madison Square Garden. If you’re joining us for when Worlds hits the Big Apple, here’s your guide:

Getting There

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How do I get to Madison Square Garden?

Four Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001

(7th Avenue between W 31st St and W 33rd St) 

Madison Square Garden is located directly above Penn Station and is easily accessible by taking the 1,2,3, A, C, E trains to 34th Street/Penn Station. You may also take the B, D, F, V, N, R, Q, W trains to the 34th Street/Herald Square stop and walk one block west to The Garden. PATH trains from New Jersey also stop at 33rd Street/Avenue of the Americas. If you are arriving via Metro-North, you may take the Shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square and transfer to the downtown 1,2,3 trains to 34th Street/Penn Station.

What entrance should I use?

To enter the Arena, we have escalators in each Tower that access each level of seating. To access the Towers, you must enter through the Box Office lobby on 7th Avenue.

Where do I pick up tickets?

Fans may pick up tickets at the Box Office.

What To Do

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When should I show up?

Doors open at 4:00 PM local time (ET) on October 21 - October 22.

When does the event start?

The event begins at 6:00 PM local time (ET) on October 21-22 and games will immediately follow the pre-show analysis.

What will be happening before the event?

We’ll have a variety of pre-show activities inside the venue including photo ops, temporary tattoos, and more.

Will the Riftwalk be in New York?

Yes, the Riftwalk will be a short walk away at Penn Plaza Pavilion.

Who is participating at Semifinals? What games are being played?

Friday, October 21: SK Telecom T1 (LCK) vs. ROX Tigers (LCK)

Saturday, October 22: Samsung Galaxy (LCK) vs. H2K (EU LCS)

For the rebroadcast schedule, head over to our Worlds 2016 schedule page.

What To Bring

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Can I bring a camera? Can I take photos / videos at the event?

We encourage photos and videos from your seat but leave monopods, professional lenses, selfie sticks, tripods, and large rigs at home. Generally, anything that can block the view or disrupt the experience of the others around you is a no-go.

Any photos taken are for personal use only and may not be sold, licensed or distributed.

What items are not allowed inside the arena?

Anything that can distract the players or interrupt the event will not be allowed in the arena including air horns, vuvuzelas, beach balls, laser pointers, etc. All final decisions on items entering the facility shall be at the sole discretion of Riot, event security and the local police department.

Will there be swag at the event?

Yes, we will be tossing out swag before and after each match.

Will there be food and alcohol for sale during the event?

Yes, concessions and alcohol will be available.

Is re-entry available?

Once you exit the venue, you cannot re-enter.

Can I bring my own food / drink?

Outside food is not allowed inside the venue.

Where can I smoke?

In compliance with New York City regulations, there is no smoking, including Electronic Cigarettes, permitted anywhere in Madison Square Garden. All exits are final and MSG does not issue smoking passes.

Can I bring a purse? Backpack?

All bags are subject to search before being allowed into the building. Bags that have passed inspection must fit comfortably under your seat. Oversized bags are prohibited.

Are signs and banners allowed? Will there be a place where I can make my own?

Signs and banners are allowed as long as they do not exceed 22x 28 (standard poster board) and do not obstruct other attendees. Guests whose signs or banners frequently obstruct others will be asked to put them away by event staff. All signs are subject to review by event staff and any signs that are deemed offensive or inappropriate will be confiscated and not returned.

Is there a coat check? Can I check my bags or luggage?

There is not a coat or baggage check at Madison Square Garden so please make other arrangements for your larger, oversized bags.

My friend wants to come now, can I still get tickets?

Unfortunately, tickets are sold out.

Knockout Stage + Stakes

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What’s the Knockout Stage?

The Knockout Stage is the second part of the 2016 World Championship. It’s made up of the Quarterfinals in Chicago, Semifinals in New York City, and Finals in Los Angeles.
At the Knockout Stage, the tournament moves to Best of 5, single elimination bracket that was drawn based on the Group Stage results.

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How did teams qualify for the Knockout Stage?

The top two teams from each group during the Group Stage in San Francisco advanced to the Knockout Stage. The eight teams kicked off the Knockout Stage with Quarterfinals in Chicago and now, we’re down to the final four teams that will face-off during Semifinals in New York.

What’s on the line at Semifinals?

Semifinal will determine the final two teams who will compete at Staples Center in Los Angeles for the world championship title and the Summoner’s Cup.

How was the Knockout Stage bracket decided again?

The Knockout Stage was decided live after Group Stage concluded on Sunday, October 9. Watch the VOD of the live show here.

Community Events + Riftwalk​

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What is the Riftwalk?

As seen at PAX East and NA Summer Finals, the Riftwalk is an immersive, interactive journey through League’s history, celebrating both beloved creators and the community that’s made it all possible.

When is the Riftwalk open?

On October 21-22, Riftwalk doors open at 10:00 AM ET, line caps at 4:00 PM ET.

Where is the Riftwalk?

The Riftwalk will be a short walk away from Madison Square Garden at Penn Plaza Pavilion (401 Seventh Avenue at 33rd St., New York, N.Y., 10001) 

Do I need a ticket for the Riftwalk?

Semifinals ticket holders are welcome to join us and no additional ticket required for Riftwalk in New York.

Cosplay​

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Is there a cosplay entrance?

Yes, we ask cosplayers to use the Tower D Entrance at Madison Square Garden. 

Will there be a cospitality lounge?

Our cospitality lounge will be located at Penn Plaza Pavilion.

What is the cosplay policy?

Worlds 2016 - Semifinals Cosplay Rules:

• All final decisions on costumes entering the facility shall be at the sole discretion of event staff, security, and the the local police department.
• Your costume must be not be wider than 4 feet across, longer than 6 feet, or taller than 8 feet. Additionally, you must be able to easily maneuver your costume over stairs or ramps unassisted. You must also be able to sit in your seat while wearing your costume. There is no re-entry policy so if you leave to take off your costume, you will not be able to return to the venue.
• You must have unobstructed vision at all times (i.e., must not need to remove a piece of your costume in order to see).
• Armor cannot pose a threat to others by way of sharpened metal edges, spikes, or bladed surfaces.
• All swords or bladed weapons must be blunt-edged and cannot have a sharpened edge (no metallic or predominantly wooden weapons). No weapon may be sharp or pointy enough to cut or pierce someone with moderate pressure, or heavy enough to create a threatening club. Note: Worbla will be permitted, pending that it follows the above weapon restrictions.
• You may not bring firearms of any kind including air guns or cap guns, as well as any replica weapon (i.e., facsimiles or realistic versions of real-world weapons). Any firearm must be clearly of prop nature, and cosplayers will be responsible for proving that any potential firearm is non-dischargeable.
• Any bow-type weapons must be unstrung or strung with a low-tensile thread. All prop arrows must have non-metal, blunted tips.
• You may not include liquids, gels, or other substances which could cause a mess. (This will be at the discretion of  local police department, event security, Riot, and/or event staff).
• You may not use smoke effects, fire, explosives, or any other environmental hazard in any capacity.
• You may display your prop weapons only as costume pieces. Do not swing or brandish your prop in any way that could be considered unsafe or threatening.
• You may pose with a prop in a brandishing manner, so long as no reasonable person would interpret for anything other than dramatic effect. Event staff, security, or management may stop you at their sole discretion.
• All attendees who have prop weapons need to be verified and inspected by event security or local authorities when they arrive. Attendees whose costume weapons have been approved will be tagged and cataloged.

As a final note, everyone attending Worlds 2016 will need to have a ticket in order to enter the event. If you have any additional cosplay questions, reach out to Jynx (@RiotJynx) on Twitter.

If you have any additional questions about Semifinals, let us know in the comments or head over the Madison Square Garden FAQ or Guest Guide (A-Z Location Guide / Directory).