TL;DR
- Among the Easter eggs are iconic plays like Faker’s Azir shuffle from Semifinals Worlds 2023, TheShy’s Aatrox in 2018, and Caps’ “illegal” Ashe arrow from 2020.
- Subtle nods to legends like Uzi and the late Shushei connect generations of Worlds history.
- Hidden constellations, medals, and inscriptions reference past triumphs and songs.
- Cameos from teams, coaches, and global supporters celebrate the community’s shared legacy.
- Lyrics from previous Worlds Anthems are tucked into scenes — tying 2025’s “Sacrifice” to 15 years of competitive history.
Over the past decade, the League of Legends World Championship anthems have evolved from songs celebrating the competition to a cultural moment. Each year’s release captures the stories that define competitive League of Legends, and in 2025, “Sacrifice” by G.E.M. continues that tradition, blending music and memory into a tribute to every pro, fan, and moment that shaped the game’s history.
In an interview with Esports Insider, Riot executive producer Mike Potter shared that there are over 70 hidden references for fans to uncover. “The 2025 Worlds anthem recollects as many memories as stars in the sky,” describing Sacrifice as the Riot video with the most Easter eggs ever created.
We’ve divided the Easter eggs into four categories: players, champions, teams, and fans, casters, and more.
While we have collected over 70 Easter eggs in this article, some still eluded us.
Players
Some players appear more than once throughout the video. Fans have noted that the lineup focuses heavily on recent years, drawing criticism for the lack of broader representation across regions. The old Russian region (CIS), CBLOL, OCE, NA, and LLA are not directly featured, with most spotlights given to stars from the LCK, LPL, and LEC.
- Caps (G2 Esports): 2020 Worlds quarter-finals series against Gen.G, where his Sylas turns the “illegal” Ashe arrow into one of the most memorable highlights in Worlds history
- Levi (GAM Esports): Worlds 2022 Group Stage vs TES, using Karthus as the central figure.
- TheShy (Invictus Gaming): 2018 Semifinals vs G2, his Aatrox charges into a 1v5 fight while teammates JackeyLove (Kai’Sa) and Baolan (Braum) hold the line.
- Faker (T1): 2023 semi-finals vs JDG, confronting Ruler’s Varus.
- Ruler (Gen.G / JDG): Appears multiple times
- Perkz (G2 Esports): Features in the 2018 IG–G2 sequence as Lissandra.
- Zeus (T1) and Kanavi (JDG): Represent their 2023 semi-finals battle, Aatrox versus Wukong, as part of the same scene.
- Uzi: as Vayne, Hall of Fame tribute.
- Deft (DRX): References his iconic 2022 Worlds run.
- Bin (Bilibili Gaming): Worlds 2024 quarter-finals celebration.
- Flandre (EDward Gaming): His story of “2,840 days to Worlds Finals” from 2021.
- Shushei (Fnatic): The final tribute honours the first-ever World Champion, shown lifting the Summoner’s Cup.
Other cameos:
- Rekkles
- Beryl
- Evi
- Keria
- Dyrus
- Jankos
Champions
Most champions appear through the pros who made them famous, with a few—such as Azir and Aatrox—also shown briefly in stylised or cartoon sequences.
- Sylas: Portrayed by Caps, 2020 G2 vs Gen.G.
- Karthus: Portrayed by Levi, 2022 GAM vs TES.
- Aatrox: Portrayed by TheShy, 2018 IG vs G2, also seen with Zeus in 2023 T1 vs JDG.
- Azir: Portrayed by Faker, 2023 T1 vs JDG.
- Varus: Portrayed by Ruler, 2023 T1 vs JDG.
- Vayne: Portrayed by Uzi, Hall of Fame tribute.
- Lissandra: Portrayed by Perkz, 2018 IG vs G2.
- Kai’Sa: Portrayed by JackeyLove, 2018 IG vs G2.
- Braum: Portrayed by Baolan, 2018 IG vs G2.
- Camille: Portrayed by Jankos, 2018 IG vs G2.
- Sivir: Portrayed by Hjarnan, 2018 IG vs G2.
- Irelia: Portrayed by Wunder, 2018 IG vs G2.
- Lucian: 2022 TES vs GAM.
- Xayah: Seen as a constellation referencing JackeyLove’s famous Xayah Flash play during the 2018 quarter-finals.
- Leona: 2020 G2 vs Gen.G.
- Twisted Fate: 2020 G2 vs Gen.G.
- Nidalee: 2020 G2 vs Gen.G.
- Ashe: 2020 G2 vs Gen.G.
- Orianna or Zilean: Hinted through clockwork gears in transition scenes.
Teams
The video’s cosmic setting hides dozens of visual nods to League’s competitive and cultural legacy, from team logos to symbolic constellations referencing iconic plays.
- Flash Wolves logo: Appears as a constellation near the Summoner’s Cup.
- Taipei Assassins logo: Displayed among the starfield, referencing the Season 2 World Champions.
- Albus Nox Luna: Celebrating its 2016 upset over ROX Tigers to reach the quarter-finals.
- DetonatioN FocusMe: Representing the LJL’s first Worlds Group Stage appearance in 2021.
- G2 Esports: Featured multiple times, including the Caps arrow play and their celebration sequences.
- Fnatic: Rekkles’s 2017 celebration after escaping groups, and Shushei’s Cup lift tribute.
- DRX: Deft’s 2022 Worlds run featured through visual callbacks.
- EDward Gaming: Flandre’s “2,840 days” message recalling his long journey to Worlds Finals.
- T1: Represented in Faker’s and Zeus’s sequences.
- GAM Esports: Appears in Levi’s Karthus storyline and through staff/coaches in the community montage.
Fans, casters, and more
- Khartus spellbook contains lyrics from past Worlds anthems, including “Warriors,” “Phoenix,” “Ignite,” “Burn It All Down,” and “GODS.”
- TheShy’s D-Flash rock: The stone from which TheShy leaps bears the engraving “D Flash,” marking his trademark keybind.
- Faker inscription: The Korean phrase “I saw the angel” briefly flashes on-screen as Faker performs his Azir shuffle.
- TK Nguyen (GAM): Appears with finger-gun gesture, nodding to his signature celebration.
- Global fans, cosplayers, and arena audiences shown cheering.
- Fans with cheering sticks
- Elder Dragon from the 2017 Worlds Finals opening ceremony.
- “Heavy is the Crown” symbol.
- Riven constellation: Represents Huni’s “quadra kill” moment from Worlds 2015.
- EDG fan constellation: References the Chinese team’s 2021 Worlds victory.
- NRG plane constellation: Shows an NRG player waving goodbye to a departing aeroplane, symbolising their Worlds exit.
- Zhonya’s Hourglass reflection: seen in Caps’s eye during his Sylas play.
- Summoner’s Cup: The central visual focus as all champions converge beneath it.
- “GAM TIME” flash: Text appears on screen during Levi’s Karthus ultimate.
- Caedrel: Seen briefly among streamers and commentators during the fan montage.
- Jojo the eagle: Appears during the closing montage.
- Faker broccoli: A lighthearted nod to a long-running meme among T1 fans.
- Deft eating a taco: Moment from 2022.
- Flandre’s 2840 days: Emphasised in text as part of his Worlds journey.
- Faker crying and Keria crying: Worlds 2017 and 2022 Finals losses.
- Ruler’s Championship medal win on SSG in 2017
- Turrets and Nexus visuals: Represent the ongoing siege moments across matches.
FAQs
How many Easter eggs are in the 2025 Worlds anthem?
According to Riot’s Mike Potter, there are over 70 Easter eggs hidden throughout “Sacrifice”, making it the most densely packed Riot video ever produced.
Is Faker in the 2025 Worlds Anthem video?
Yes, Faker first appears riding meteors and then in the legendary Azir shuffle against Ruler’s Varus from Worlds 2023.
Who is the person lifting the trophy at the end of the video?
The final tribute features Maciej “Shushei” Ratuszniak, the Fnatic player who won the first-ever Worlds in 2011 and passed away earlier this year — honouring his legacy as one of League’s earliest champions.
The post All Easter eggs in the 2025 League of Legends Worlds anthem appeared first on Esports Insider.
