Worlds 2017: Semifinals International Tickets

Riot·Sep 29, 2017·2 votes·21,657 views

UPDATE: Semifinals tickets will now be available on Monday, October 16 at 7:00 PM PT.

The final four teams at the 2017 World Championship will travel to Semifinals to fight for spot at Finals. If you’re looking to make the trip to Semis in Shanghai, read on for everything you need to know to get your tickets.

International Tickets

As with previous events, we expect that the majority of attendees will be local fans, but we’ll be setting aside a limited number of tickets for international players that plan to travel to Shanghai for Semifinals.

When do international tickets go on sale?

UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, international ticket sales for Semis in Shanghai were delayed. International tickets will be available starting on Monday, October 16 at 7:00 PM PT until October 23 at 7:00 PM PT.

How do I purchase tickets?

We’ll be selling tickets through Damai. In order to expedite the checkout process we suggest setting up an account before sales go live. The ticket site will only be available in English, so international fans make sure to use your browser’s built-in translator to help grab your tickets.

How much will tickets be?

Floor: 480 RMB / $70
Tier 1: 380 RMB / $55
Tier 2: 280 RMB / $41
Tier 3: 180 RMB / $26

What dates can I buy tickets for?

Semifinals will take place on October 28-29.

How many tickets can I buy?

Two tickets per player.

Event details

Where are Semifinals being held?

Semifinals will be held in Shanghai, China at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Center, the home of the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational.

When do doors open?

Doors at 1:30 PM local time / China Standard Time (CST).

When does the event start?

Event begins at 3:30 PM CST.

What format will the Knockout Stage use?

Semifinals is the second part of the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage is a single-elimination bracket with all matches being played in the Best of 5 format. It starts with the top eight teams at Quarterfinals then, four teams will advance to Semifinals, and the two winners from Semis will advance to Finals to fight for Summoner’s Cup at the Bird’s Nest in Beijing.

Keep your eyes on Lolesports for all the Worlds 2017 action and we’ll keep you in the coming weeks on how you can secure your international tickets to Finals at Bird’s Nest in Beijing.

50 Comments

Soviet UnionOct 17, 20174 votes

Just confirmed with Damai, so the reddit thread claims are all true "Dear customer, All available tickets are provided by the organizer (Tencent in this case), now tickets for this event have been sold out."

I think Im going to be sick thinking about how much money Ive just wasted on my flight tickets and accommodations.

Sushi0Sep 29, 20173 votes

does any one know when is the final titcket going on sell

Lord SilentEchoOct 14, 20173 votes

After talking to both Riot and the Damai Ticketing website, both are basically trying to wipe their hands clean of the situation and not acknowledge anything from the Semi final tickets and the "issues" that never were sorted... Even Riot can't even guarantee even grand final tickets for Internationals whom have gotten flights, accommodation, visa and other arrangements only to have Riot release tickets 1 month later then what they did last year and with the grand final only 3 weeks away refuse to reassure the Internationals that want to attend.

PhaseOct 17, 20173 votes

The entire management of the ticketing is absolutely disgusting.

Same as the last few posts, sitting waiting for the second theyre available and already sold out.

I can't even express the disappointment.

Soviet UnionOct 17, 20171 votes

Basically if you read my long post below, it ended up being true. This is so disgusting.

Soviet UnionOct 3, 20172 votes

Could we please be explained as to what these "unforeseen circumstances" were and if they affected the total seating availability? i.e were there tickets sold in advanced to locals and now there's a limited seating?

Most **importantly **however, could you please explain how you will be preventing local citizens from purchasing tickets, as these should ONLY be dedicated towards International fans? As Damai does not state anything about restricting anyone from purchasing these. Meaning International fans will even have a much smaller pool to buy from, while having the most risk and loss due to this. As many of us have pre-purchased flights and accommodations due to Visa requirements.

Thank you

DontTouchMlOct 3, 20171 votes

Having the same questions ^

YsemanOct 4, 20172 votes

they don't give a f**k about international tickets selling. All tickets gone after 5min on Damai really (I was online to buy) ? Some friends are stuck in China now they only get a few tickets for groups stage but don't manage to get for quarter or semi so they will have to do some shopping instead or maybe try to have some tickets sold hand to hand in front of the stadium entrance xD

comeatmy14inchOct 4, 20171 votes

{quoted}

they don't give a f**k about international tickets selling. All tickets gone after 5min on Damai really (I was online to buy) ? Some friends are stuck in China now they only get a few tickets for groups stage but don't manage to get for quarter or semi so they will have to do some shopping instead or maybe try to have some tickets sold hand to hand in front of the stadium entrance xD

Hope you got plenty of money my friend. Resale value will be as high as 10x the original price you see.

YsemanOct 4, 20171 votes

ahah for my friends sure they will cost an arm ! For me I cancelled all flights and hotels with those selling issues and will watch everything on youtube/ twitch xD This year ticket selling was a total mess !

Philzord8Oct 3, 20172 votes

I tried buying tickets yesterday at 7pm PT Oct 2nd, when they announced that international semi tickets would be released. The website said that tickets were out of stock. I noticed that Damai was updated to say semi tickets would be available internationally at October 3rd at 10:00 AM (CST). I logged in during that time, and still received the same message. I already book my and my friend's flight to Shanghai as well as hotels, and there's still no news on when Semis tickets will be released. If they release the tickets before any type of announcement, I fear that they'll be sold out before I have a chance to make a purchase. Anyone else know if they have made a new announcement on when semis tickets will be actually released?

HookAsnooKOct 4, 20172 votes

I am wondering the same thing as you. I happen to be travelling to Shanghai for work that weekend and I am really excited to attend semis, but the ticket process seems unreliable so far and I am worried that I won't be able to secure a good ticket. Let me know if you figure anything out.

PallorrOct 6, 20172 votes

Hi RIOT please respond, I am a foreigner living in Shanghai. How do I buy tickets IN shanghai? Thank you

YsemanOct 6, 20172 votes

They will tell you to go on damai website... where tickets are already sold out 10min after they came out xD Maybe you can call the sport center to know if they are selling tickets too ??

BeatinguOct 11, 20172 votes

It has been over a week now. Still no updates, nothing. I have a friend in China, she says all the Semifinals tickets have been sold and are already going for three times the price....Can you please let us know what is going on? Every year I attend your worlds, this year is suppose to be no different. Would like to know if there are actual tickets set aside for us to come, or did someone drop the ball and cost us thousands of dollars in travel costs for nothing?

comeatmy14inchOct 12, 20173 votes

Yeah that is right. The Chinese audience scooped up all the tickets. Maybe Riot is delaying international sales as a way to get more to local fans? Imagine that, they only leave the seats at the very back for the international fans you would be better off watching it on the display of your mobile! I really can't believe how poorly Riot is managing such a big event. If this was a game of League they would receive 9x report!!!

Soviet UnionOct 12, 20178 votes

This is actually a copy paste of a reddit thread that made front page a couple days ago, but then was removed by the Mods.

"As some of you know, Semi-Final tickets for Worlds were meant to go on sale for International fans this past Monday, October 2nd, 2017. However they were as according to lolesports/Riot Games delayed - "UPDATE: Due to unforeseen circumstances, international ticket sales for Semis in Shanghai will be delayed."

Source: lolesports

Now if anyone from Riot Games or Tencent could kindly explain what these so called "unforeseen" circumstance(s) were, that would be greatly appreciated. But I believe there's a more deeper issue at play here or... I'm just crazy. As Riot Games actually has no control over tickets for Worlds this year, due to Tencent. For those who are not familiar with Tencent, they are ("a Chinese investment holding company"), which owns the majority share of Riot Games. Who in turn have control of LPL and it's subsidiaries, which coincidentally is helping in organizing and hosting Worlds this year in China. Which of course is a sensible choice, as they would be the ones most familiar with the location.

HOWEVER there are signs showing that Tencent intends to really only want local fans to attend their events. Here is why:

Tencent has shown that they do NOT WANT FOREIGNERS purchasing any tickets beyond the ones 'allocated' for International Fans only
"Local" tickets cannot be purchased, as you need a Chinese based QQ account. Which requires a Chinese mobile number to be able to register with. Also unconfirmed, however if the browser translation is correct, you required a Chinese League of Legends account?
Unlike in all previous years. If you want tickets for Worlds in ...LA ('13), Korea ('14), Europe ('15), LA ('16) - as long as you were online at the time tickets went on sale, you could have purchased them. As the sites chosen for these events were AXS (LA), Interpark (KR), Ticketmaster (EU) - did not restrict you due to your countries location, they weren't derogatory as Tencent is being. The only thing that would have prevented you from buying tickets in preceding years, would be if you fell asleep and missed the sale time :)
However Damai, the site used this year for ticket sales. Has proven to be very difficult for International fans.

Mastercard, Visa and American Expresses are being reported to being declined when international fans have been attempting to purchase tickets for Quarterfinals.

LOCAL FANS CAN STILL BUY THE TICKETS INTENDED FOR INTERNATIONAL FANS - What's up with that? How can you say these are International tickets, when you are not restricting anyone BUT International fans to buy these? The ticketing site itself (and I've called their help-line to confirm) states that "Please bring passport or Chinese ID" when picking up tickets. BRING A CHINESE ID for international intended tickets? Excusez-moi? So you're selling the majority of worlds tickets, which only Chinese citizens can purchase. Then the few remaining you have allocated to what seems like a disgusting words to use now, "International" fans - can still be purchased by locals.

So were Semi-Finals tickets actually delayed due to "unforeseen circumstances", or was it just due to Tencent overselling the 'International' intended tickets to locals? I just want the organizing party responsible for this and/or whatever the cause for the delay is to understand that International fans have the most risk and loss due to this. As many of us have pre-purchased flights, accommodations and numerous costs due to Visa requirements into China. This is just disgusting."

I'm starting to believe these claims more and more now... This is just sad, I have so much money invested into this event right now. Without nothing to show for it. Also I'm in a similar boat where I couldn't just wait until tickets were available, due to the exact same issue with Visa requirements and having to apply 30 days prior to the flight. Now I fly out tomorrow.... with 0 tickets, none for Semis, none for Finals and I'm down the drain over $4,000 - for nothing. I could have lived with it, if there was a fair chance at tickets. But this is appalling, I think I'm going to be sick to my stomach.

comeatmy14inchOct 12, 20174 votes

This is China, which makes all of this so believable. They make all the rules and there is literally nothing we, as international fans can do. Like you said, you are in a spot where you have no tickets and have already poured plenty of money into this trip as well. The last resort to getting tickets will be to buy them from touters outside the stadium and then you'll probably just end up being scammed.

LurkingghostOct 12, 20172 votes

I have invested a lot as well to go we have our passports/visa/hotel/flight now they might not even let international fans buy tickets!? Worst experience ever. Deterrent to go to worlds and possibly lose out on all the money again.

Philzord8Oct 12, 20171 votes

Same boat as you. Bought airplane tickets, passport visa, and hotel. Very discouraging that we haven't heard anything from Riot.

QuinnZOct 17, 20171 votes

That’s exactly what they did lol

TeddyGodsexyOct 12, 20173 votes

Luckily I got some tickets through my friends in China and it cost me 9x the original price. I just arrived in China and can't wait for the semi and final :)))

BeatinguOct 17, 20172 votes

Is this a joke? Were any tickets actually put up for sale? Two of us attempted right at the sale moment to purchase tickets at 180 rmb and immediately told they were sold out. Tickets sold out in 20 seconds? Really?

2miOct 17, 20171 votes

Same here. Tried to purchase 2 tickets at 180rmb, I even did a copy and paste of my passport info to save time too, and after clicking the check out button it tells me all the tickets are sold out. All of these happened within 20 seconds. GG Riot.

iKonikOct 17, 20171 votes

Same happened for us. [slayer-jinx-unamused]

Soviet UnionOct 17, 20171 votes

Basically the long posted i had written below was all the truth, this is truly a disgusting experience. I am already in Asia without tickets. This makes me sick to my stomach. Someone has to be held resposinble for this.

Sushi0Oct 17, 20172 votes

if you go to the china wedsite they sell it at a diffent spot http://lpl.qq.com/es/ticket.shtml?iTicketId=7#adress

Sushi0Oct 17, 20172 votes

http://lpl.qq.com/es/news_detail.shtml?nid=15198

KatzenbaerOct 1, 20171 votes

Ok... Thanks for telling us what time, but what DATE will semifinals be played?

FNC BullOct 1, 20171 votes

It says October 28 and 29..

BeatinguOct 3, 20171 votes

My friend and I from Canada come to watch worlds every year. We have already secured flights, visas and accommodations for this event. I would be very upset if we were not given the opportunity to attend.

Panda rol ZAOct 3, 20171 votes

Good day Riot I've been looking to get tickets for the Quarterfinals. 10 minutes after it went on sale i was on the site and there were only tickets available for Thursday, 19 October available for Tier 2. All other tickets where not available for selection. Is the tickets just sold out that quickly or are they going on sale later? Also can local Chinese also buy international tickets, because if so getting tickets will be very difficult? Thanks

Sushi0Oct 3, 20171 votes

is this going to be the same for worlds and how long did it toke to sold out

Panda rol ZAOct 3, 20171 votes

so if you can go by when it went on sale I would say it will be sold out in less than 10 minutes!!! Not good odds at getting tickets. Was waiting whole day on the site to get tickets. I left PC and got back 10 minutes after tickets went on sale and there was nothing left. Which I personally feel is unlikely if these tickets are only for international people.

BeatinguOct 6, 20171 votes

Can we get an update? Flying in 10 days, would love to have my tickets purchased for semifinals by then.

Soviet UnionOct 6, 20171 votes

Likewise, except I fly out on the 12th, so in 6 days. If the tickets end up going on sale while I'm on my flight, I will be very disgruntled and displeased. The whole situation with very limited ticket amount for International fans, which locals can still purchase is already displeasing enough as it is. Hope Tencent suffers repercussions for this poor management and event organization.

Soviet UnionOct 11, 20171 votes

Could we please get an update? I fly out tomorrow (October 12th, 2017). With obviously a return flight I don't intend to use and may now have to cancel and incur heavy cancellation fees due to only wanting to visit China for this specific event. Also not to mention cancellation fees for lodging and also the amount spent on currency exchange. Please give us an answer, this is beyond critically impacting now.

SlayersZOct 12, 20171 votes

No news on this yet. Can confirm tickets are sold out in China and being sold for 3x the value on different Chinese websites.

Lord SilentEchoOct 15, 20171 votes

GO RIOT!!!!!! TICKETS ARE BACK ON SALE EVERYONE!!!!!!

CrackerPupOct 15, 20171 votes

Hope it is the tickets for foreigners.

QuinnZOct 17, 20171 votes

Wow riot, great job, how many tickets did you sell for the foreigners? The only tickets that was available were the 180 yuan ones and it was sold out in like a minute, you gotta be kidding me, so fked up.

CrackerPupOct 17, 20171 votes

RIOT faces to CHI NA, earn the big money! Yeah!

Lord SilentEchoOct 17, 20171 votes

Still on Pre Order!!! and Tencent has "Sold Out"

https://en.damai.cn/event/tickets_132760/

http://lpl.qq.com/es/ticket.shtml?iTicketId=7#adress

Lord SilentEchoOct 17, 20171 votes

TenCent is now live

BeatinguOct 17, 20171 votes

No one from Riot ever chimes in eh? Can we get someone from Riot to let us know why international fans were not given the chance to buy tickets this year, yet lied to saying we could? And wasting multiple nights with ticket sales that didnt happen or sold maybe 100 180rmb tickets to not just international fans but Chinese as well? I have a friend in China that was able to attempt to purchase our (international tickets) at the same time we were trying. This is a complete scam and someone needs to be held accountable.

YsemanOct 18, 20171 votes

I tried (and many friends also tried) to contact riot/ support/ anyone else who can answer about the international tickets... the only answer we get was to follow the tickets page for the update and also check on damai site... YEAH THANKS RIOT !! I also ask damai on why local people can buy "international tickets" they just answer that there is no limitation (local/ foreign people) So we waiste our time to try to get ticket on their site, waiste money to book flight/ and hotel and cancel everything beacuse we can't get those damn tickets ! Thank you riot thank you :)

Lord SilentEchoOct 18, 20171 votes

So turns out damai lied about when they were going to release the tickets...

Instead of releasing it according to their webite October 17th, 10am CST... they were releasing it Beijing time which is completely different again!

Ravens6969Oct 18, 20171 votes

This is so unacceptable its unbelievable. They absolutely do not want Americans to go to the finals. I have been asking for at least THE FREAKING LOCATION of the finals so that I can book my flight there well in advance and get a hotel. But no.....Its almost time and we STILL have no idea where the finals are and when we can get tickets. I don't understand this at all. I was soooooooo excited to go to china and represent na and have a blast watching the top 2 teams play. but league has just murdered any hope of that.