For well over a decade, these soundtracks have acted as the kickoff to the LoL season and the heartbeat of the League of Legends World Championship.

But do you know every single one of them?

In this post, we’ll crank up the volume and take a look through every League of Legends Worlds anthem, what makes them great, and how these tracks have shaken up an entire generation of esports.

The Decade of Anthems From 2014 to Today

Before 2014 arrived, the soundtrack to Worlds was just the roar of the crowd and the loud clicking of keywords.

However, when 2024 came, that all changed. Riot Games decided to host the biggest tournament in esports and started a soundtrack tradition that League of Legends fans now anticipate with near-religious fervor.

2014: “Warriors” by Imagine Dragons

This is where the World's soundtracks all began. By partnering with a chart-topping band like Imagine Dragons, Riot Games made a strong statement: League of Legends esports is here to stay, and it deserves a sound this massive!

The animated music video, with its gritty and stylish look, also became an instant classic, making “Warriors” not just a chart-stopping song but also validation for the entire gaming community that League’s culture and Esports were real.

2015: “Worlds Collide” by Nicki Taylor

Following the blockbuster success of “Warriors,” Riot pivoted to a more community-focused feel with the song “Worlds Collide.”

Sung by Nicki Taylor, a voice well-known in the League of Legends community for her work on champion themes, World’s Collie orchestral parts captured the drama of the tournament, focusing less on winning or losing, and more on the clash of the players.

2016: “Ignite” by Zedd

In 2016, the anthem went fully electric, thanks to popular DJ Zedd at the helm. “Ignite” brought EDM energy to the World Championship, and the accompanying music video provided excellent fan service by showing a kaleidoscopic journey through some of the most iconic moments in LoL esports, such as xPeke’s legendary backdoor and Taipei Assassins’ shocking victory.

2017: “Legends Never Die” by Against The Current

Voiced by Chrissy Costanza of Against The Current, this song is probably the most iconic Worlds anthem ever created!

The lyrics of the song show resilience, something that resonates deeply with many League players. It even became an unofficial motto for fans and the game itself. The animated video follows the journeys of Garen, Lee Sin, and Ashe, and mirrors the same perseverance required to reach the top.

To this day, “Legends Never Die” is the go-to soundtrack for any League of Legends hype montage, built to inspire.

2018: “RISE” by The Glitch Mob, Mako, and The Word Alive

This anthem directly shows the real-life journey of a professional League of Legends player and his climb to the 2017 World Championship, where he faces off against Faker.

The song’s blend of electronic grit, vocals from Mako, and a heavy beat from the band Word Alive also shows the struggle and triumph associated with League's esports scene.

2019: “Phoenix” by Cailin Russo and Chrissy Costanza

After the battle of “RISE,” “Phoenix” turned the focus inwards, with Chrissy Costanza returning alongside Cailin Russo.

The song was another great hit, with the lyrics representing the mental ability required to compete at the highest level.

The video shows three of the world’s best players at the time (Caps, Faker, and Rookie), confronting their inner mentality and past failures.

The message of the song was clear: real victory isn’t just about defeating your opponent and getting the win; it’s about conquering yourself, a concept that many League of Legends fans could resonate with, through their Solo Queue journey.

2020: “Take Over” by Jeremy McKinnon, MAX, and Henry

Set against the backdrop of a global pandemic, the 2020 World Championship was an event that showed persistence, with the song “Take Over” as its fitting anthem.

The song’s raw energy, from A Day to Remember’s Jeremy McKinnon, was a great fit for the lyrics.

The music video followed a young, aspiring League player being mentored by ghosts of previous champions, such as Faker.

“Take Over” was a story about inheritance and about a new generation stepping up to claim the World’s throne from the current and ex-pros.

2021: “Burn It All Down” by PVRIS

Fiery, rebellious, and unapologetic. “Burn It All Down” perfectly conveyed the crazy energy of a League of Legends meta where anyone could win.

Produced with the alternative edge of PVRIS, the song felt like it came from a darker and more intense style. The music video continued this theme, presenting pro players not as icon heroes, but as powerful combatants who could change the world around them.

This song served as an anthem for the new disruptors and for the teams seeking to topple the old greats and build their legacy from the ashes instead.

2022: “STAR WALKIN’” by Lil Nas X

For 2022, Riot Games brought in a popular global icon: Lil Nas X.

“STAR WALKIN’” was a slick, stylish, and catchy pop-rap song that brought League of Legends to its biggest mainstream audience yet.

The music video was visually great, featuring a mecha-anime-inspired set in San Francisco, the host city for the Finals, and giant robots controlled by the players who would be competing in the tournament.

2023: “GODS” by NewJeans

The world's anthem went fully K-pop in 2023, and the result was excellent.

Teaming up with the popular girl group NewJeans, “GODS” told the story of Korean pro player Deft and his incredible, decade-long journey to grab the Summoner’s Cup.

The music video contained a potent blend of anime and motion graphics, showcasing his high school friendship and rivalry with Faker. The song itself, with its infectious hook and slick production, was a massive hit.

2024: “Heavy Is The Crown” by Linkin Park

A complete 360 moment. Ten years after Imagine Dragons set the basis for rock anthems at Worlds, Riot brought in one of the most legendary rock bands of a generation: Linkin Park.

“Heavy Is The Crown” is a powerful and emotional track that shows the immense pressure of maintaining a lead in League of Legends. The music video centers on Faker as he reflects on a new generation of challengers, ready to claim his throne.

The collaboration felt like it was destined, blending Linkin Park’s signature, catchy sound with the drama of League of Legends esports.

The World's Anthem Scorecard

Year	Song Title	Artist(s)	Core Theme
2014	Warriors	Imagine Dragons	The Player’s Journey
2015	Worlds Collide	Nicki Taylor	The Clash of Titans
2016	Ignite	Zedd	Celebrating Legacy
2017	Legends Never Die	Against The Current	Resilience & Immortality
2018	RISE	The Glitch Mob, Mako, The Word Alive	The Uphill Battle
2019	Phoenix	Cailin Russo & Chrissy Costanza	Conquering Inner Demons
2020	Take Over	Jeremy McKinnon, MAX, Henry	A New Generation’s Ascent
2021	Burn It All Down	PVRIS	Disruption & Rebellion
2022	STAR WALKIN’	Lil Nas X	Global Stardom & Spectacle
2023	GODS	NewJeans	The Underdog’s Victory
2024	Heavy Is The Crown	Linkin Park	The Burden of Legacy

What Makes a Good LoL World's Song?

What makes a League of Legends World's song resonate so deeply with an audience? And what makes one truly great?

It’s all about the formula, and a great collaboration between Riot Games’ internal music team and world-class artists, each chosen to reflect a certain mood, moment, or time period.

But, it doesn’t just stop at the music; in fact, the music video is just as important, often produced by top-tier animation studios that bring the stories of pro players to life with style.

The Final Note

From the raw, aggressive power of “Warriors” to the reflection of “Heavy Is The Crown,” the League of Legends Worlds songs have shown the growth of not just a game, but a global gaming culture.

They are also annual anthems for a gaming generation, and a testament to the idea that with enough skill, passion, and a killer soundtrack, anyone can become an esports pro.

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