The Risky BO1 Matches of the 2025 World Championship
After the thrilling opening match of the 2025 World Championship between T1 and IG, the reigning champion took the victory and completed the list of teams participating in the Main Event. With a changed format, this year’s World Championship will return to the risky BO1 matches. Even in matchups considered to be heavily one-sided, the underdog teams still have a solid foundation to create surprises.
Following the match between T1, the draw for the Swiss Stage has also taken place. Among these matchups, perhaps only the pairs Gen.G – TALON and BLG – 100T are the most one-sided and least likely to have an upset. T1 is facing FLY, and the North American representative should not be underestimated. Last year, FLY made Gen.G sweat to secure a win. Meanwhile, HLE’s matchup against AL is also a very challenging opponent. AL has caused trouble for both T1 and Gen.G at MSI 2025 and EWC 2025. AL even defeated T1 in the tournament held in Saudi Arabia.
However, it is precisely from such risky BO1 matches that the weaker teams, like TSW or 100T, also have the basis to achieve “unimaginable” results. In 2022, it was from this BO1 that GAM directly eliminated TES. Therefore, teams like Gen.G or BLG cannot afford to be complacent. And typically, in World Championships that implement BO1, there is always at least one top team that “stumbles”.
Latest Schedule for the 2025 World Championship Main Event Swiss Stage
