For the first time, BBC Three will be offering live coverage of the League of Legends World Championships live from Wembley. Beginning on Thursday 15 October, action from all four days of the quarter finals will be available online.
Coverage will be hosted by Radio 1 DJ and avid gamer Dev Griffin. Julia Hardy will be interviewing players and fans in the arena with gaming casters Leigh ‘Deman’ Smith and James ‘Stress’ O’Leary offering their expert commentary.
BBC Three and BBC Sport are teaming up to deliver all the action using the platform previously used for live sporting events and Glastonbury coverage, where live video, pre-recorded video, text, audio and social commentary can sit side by side.
Damian Kavanagh, Controller of BBC Three, says: “We jumped at the chance to collaborate with BBC Sport and bring this massive UK event to a wider audience. BBC Three will always experiment with new ways to deliver content that young people want, in ways they want. I think this is an exciting way to cover something millions of young Brits love, in a BBC Three way.”
Leigh ‘Deman’ Smith, commentator, says: “I’m delighted to be part of the BBC’s coverage at Wembley Arena. Worlds has been amazing so far and it’s great to see the BBC getting involved and raising awareness of esports in the UK.”
League Of Legends has over 27 million gamers playing the game every day, with over 70 million hours of last year’s championships watched by fans across the globe.