Ranking the Best League of Legends Worlds Anthems: From Warriors to Heavy Is The Crown

The League of Legends World Championship, or "Worlds," is the pinnacle of the LoL esports calendar, drawing millions of viewers globally. To build hype every year, Riot Games releases a new Worlds anthem, pairing an epic song with a stunning animated video. These anthems often tell the stories of key players while blending in League’s iconic champions and abilities. Many of these songs are so powerful, they inspire players to jump into solo queue or follow every moment of the tournament. Let's dive into some of the best Worlds anthems and how they continue to captivate fans.

7. 2015 - Worlds Collide (ft. Nicki Taylor)

A Fan-Favorite Song, But Lacks Visual Impact

When ranking purely on music, Worlds Collide from 2015 would rank near the top. Its powerful lyrics, like "Can we bring to fall the giants" and "We are the ones," resonate with veteran League players. The song builds up like a showdown on Summoner's Rift, delivering the epic feel a Worlds anthem needs. However, the downside is the lack of a proper music video. The animation primarily features rotating rocks around a red crystal, with glimpses of European landmarks, reflecting the tournament's location.

6. 2019 - Phoenix (ft. Cailin Russo and Chrissy Costanza)

Strong Song, Unique Visuals, But Missing Maximum Hype

Phoenix is an interesting entry. The song itself is great, but it doesn’t hit with the same intensity as the top anthems. Instead, it creates hype in a different way, like showing real fans walking toward the Worlds stadium with pros like Caps, making viewers feel like part of the journey. The music video is notable for blending real footage of pro players, like Caps, Faker, and Rookie, with animation. It highlights their lowest moments as players before they rise from the ashes, fitting the "phoenix" theme perfectly.

5. 2023 - GODS (ft. NewJeans)

A Chilling Story Following Deft & DRX’s Epic Victory

The 2023 Worlds anthem GODS brought back the power and intensity that earlier anthems had. It tells one of the best stories for League fans, focusing on Deft, a legendary ADC player, and his underdog journey to victory with DRX in 2022—the biggest upset in Worlds history. K-pop group NewJeans infused fresh energy into the anthem, while still delivering the hype and chills that fans expect from a Worlds anthem.

4. 2024 - Heavy Is The Crown (ft. Linkin Park)

A Hard-Hitting Song That Recaptures the Early Worlds Vibes

Heavy Is The Crown for Worlds 2024 packs a punch, delivering exactly what fans hoped for when Linkin Park was announced as the featured band. The theme fits perfectly with Faker’s reign as the G.O.A.T., following his previous year’s championship win. Faker is the star of the cinematic, but fans will also spot many of their favorite players trying to dethrone him. This is the first time a band has appeared in a Worlds animation, setting a new precedent for future anthems.

3. 2018 - RISE (ft. The Glitch Mob, Mako, and The World Alive)

One of the Best Merges of Music & Animation

Beloved by fans, RISE from 2018 is widely regarded as one of the best Worlds songs. The music and animation, created by Arcane's Fortiche, blend together seamlessly. The video tells the story of SSG Ambition’s journey to winning Worlds in 2017, featuring esports legends like Faker, Uzi, and Perkz as champions standing in his way. The song’s title serves as a rallying cry, making fans feel like their team—or they themselves—can rise to greatness.

2. 2017 - Legends Never Die (ft. Against The Current)

A Moving Anthem About Resilience and Perseverance

Legends Never Die from 2017 remains one of the most iconic and emotionally powerful Worlds anthems. Performed by Against The Current, its lyrics—like "When the world is calling you"—hit hard, capturing the spirit of the League community. The animation follows champions like Ashe and Lee Sin on their relentless journeys of survival, always rising again after setbacks. This anthem continues to inspire players, embodying the never-give-up mentality essential to competitive gaming.

1. 2014 - Warriors (ft. Imagine Dragons)

The Original and Unbeatable Hype Song for Worlds

For many fans, Warriors by Imagine Dragons from 2014 remains the gold standard for Worlds anthems. It was the first to combine epic music with a cinematic story, setting a high bar for all future collaborations. The video follows regular players as they climb through the challenges of solo queue to earn their place on the Worlds stage. The song's influence is so enduring that it was brought back for the 2020 season cinematic, further solidifying its status as a timeless anthem.

Each Worlds anthem brings something unique to the table, whether it’s the perfect combination of music and visuals or the powerful stories behind the pros featured. From the unforgettable hype of Warriors to the emotional depth of Legends Never Die, these songs continue to inspire and energize the League community year after year.