Riot Games and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra unite for League of Legends orchestral concerts

Riot Games Korea and the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop orchestral projects rooted in the League of Legends universe and competitive esports storylines.

The two organisations signed the agreement on 29 July at the Riot Games Auditorium in Parnas Tower, Gangnam District, with Riot Games Korea CEO Cho Hyeok-jin and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra CEO Jung Jae-wal in attendance. Detailed planning will take place over the remainder of 2026, with performances expected to debut in 2027.

Building on past collaborations

The partnership builds on previous crossovers between gaming and classical music. In 2021, a League of Legends concert premiered at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. A year later, another performance accompanied the Mid-Season Invitational esports tournament in Busan, demonstrating growing appetite for this fusion of mediums.

According to Korea JoongAng Daily, Cho described the collaboration as an opportunity to expand entertainment possibilities for gaming audiences. "We will work with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra to offer game and esports fans new and diverse forms of entertainment that cross the boundaries between different types of cultural content," he said.

Jung echoed the sentiment, emphasising the classical music perspective. "Through this partnership with Riot Games, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra will build an organic and close working relationship, and we will strive to show citizens new genre possibilities for classical music and offer a distinctive cultural and artistic experience in their everyday lives."

A strategic cultural moment

The collaboration reflects a broader trend of gaming IP expanding into live performance and high-culture spaces. For Seoul's classical music scene, the partnership signals a willingness to experiment with contemporary narratives and younger audiences beyond traditional concert-hall demographics. For Riot Games, it positions League of Legends as a cultural property worthy of orchestral treatment, reinforcing the game's narrative depth and global prestige.

Details of specific performances, venues and dates are expected to emerge as planning progresses through 2026.