Riot Games has unveiled the official theme song for the League of Legends World Championship 2025, titled “Sacrifice.” This release marks a significant milestone, coinciding with the celebration of the fifteenth anniversary of the competitive League of Legends esports scene. The track, performed by the acclaimed singer and songwriter G.E.M., sets an emotionally resonant tone for the premier global tournament.
Far exceeding the typical celebratory sports anthem, G.E.M.’s performance transforms “Sacrifice” into a profound emotional narrative. Her distinctively clear and powerful vocal delivery guides listeners through the arduous journey toward success, focusing less on the final victory and more on the demanding process required to achieve it. According to the creative team at Riot Games, the song is specifically dedicated to acknowledging the tremendous sacrifices—the determination, the pain of growth, and the cultivation of inner strength—that professional players willingly endure in pursuit of their ultimate dreams.
The sonic landscape of “Sacrifice” was meticulously crafted through collaboration with established industry talents. The composition credits include Alex Seaver, known professionally as Mako, and Sébastien Najand. Furthermore, official data released alongside the YouTube video confirms the high-caliber post-production team: mixing duties were handled by the legendary Tony Maserati, while mastering was executed by Mike Bozzi at the renowned Bernie Grundman Studios. Riot Games itself took the role of Executive Producer for the project, ensuring the track met the high standards expected of a Worlds anthem.
The accompanying animated music video, which premiered on October 13, 2025, serves as a comprehensive visual history and a source of inspiration for the community. This cinematic piece functions as a living archive, meticulously weaving together the past and present of League of Legends esports. Viewers can spot more than 70 distinct references embedded within the animation, paying homage to iconic moments, champions, and players throughout the sport's history.
A particularly poignant segment of the video is dedicated to Maciej "Shushei" Ratuszniak. Shushei was a foundational figure in the scene, earning the title of the first World MVP in 2011 while playing for Fnatic. His passing earlier this spring made this tribute especially meaningful. The visual depiction of his image, holding the coveted Summoner's Cup, acts as a powerful reminder of the origins and enduring spirit of the game's earliest champions, cementing his legacy within the narrative of sacrifice and achievement.
The League of Legends World Championship 2025 itself is scheduled to take place across various venues in China, running from October 14 through November 9. The tournament’s closing ceremony will feature G.E.M. performing “Sacrifice” live. This performance is intended to serve as a symbolic beacon of continuity and light, linking the emotional depth of the music to the culmination of the competitive season. Ultimately, “Sacrifice” transcends being merely a soundtrack; it is positioned as the vibrational spirit that resonates deeply within the hearts of those who view the ascent to the competitive summit as a profound journey of the soul.