The official League of Legends World Championship 2016 venues have been announced! Esports fans who wish to follow each round of the World Championship will be brought on wild ride that spans the entirety of the United States. Although the highlight of trip will likely involve the high (and maybe not so high) level play of competitive League of Legends that’ll surely take place, we’ve mapped out some of the best activities to make your Worlds road trip one to remember!

Can you afford it? 

The following trip will be as costly as it is time-consuming. Anyone that embarks on this journey should have their schedule clear from September 29 to October 30. The trip can possibly  be done alone, but it is highly advised to find a good group of friends to help split the costs and driving time. This trip will take you around the United States and back again! Although you cannot put a price on an experience like this, a rough estimated cost was calculated at $4,750. This total takes into account estimated gas costs that are subject to change, current hotel rates, estimated food costs that can be cut, and estimated ticket costs (Assuming they are consistent with 2015 Worlds pricing.) Hotel and food cost can be greatly reduced if you’re frugal and are housed by friends or family. The gas cost is likely to rise, given how drastically low the prices sit at the time of writing this article.

Group Stage — San Francisco, California — September 29 - October 9

Hotels near the arena...

There are a dozens of hotels located in walking distance of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Budget Inn offers an affordable rate of $65 a night, while Hotel Whitcomb is currently offering a 40% discount-- bringing their rate down to $393 a night on hotels.com.

Activities in San Francisco...

The group stages will undoubtedly be the most exciting time for fans of all regions. These two weeks will make-or-break the hopes of entire continents. Although your time will be occupied during BOTH Thursday-Sunday spans, the rest of your week in San Francisco could be as action packed as the games that brought you there in the first place.

1. How could you visit San Francisco without stepping foot on the Golden Gate Bridge? It’s one of the most iconic landmarks in North America, and will make a great daytime activity.

2. A ride in the famous San Francisco cable cars costs $5 and is a can’t miss tourist attraction. Now’s your chance to be “those tourists!” You’ve earned it!

3. The San Francisco Giants will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park in a rivalry game that will likely have massive playoff implications. A 7:15 game could keep your adrenaline pumping, following the group stage action. AT&T is a beautiful ballpark, and the a game of such high stakes will be a great time for all involved. 

4. Take a tour of one of America’s most infamous prisons: Alcatraz! Explore the personal elo hell of America’s most wanted for an eye-opening glimpse into American history.

5. Take a break from the city and enjoy the natural beauty of the Redwood National & State Parks.   Tired of the typical “Chinese aggression” during the group stages? Take a stroll through San Francisco’s Chinatown to discover a more peaceful side of Chinese culture! 

6. San Francisco’s greatest draws are the countless opportunities to sightsee. Explore the many restaurants and shops in the Italian North Beach, shop to your heart’s content in Union Square, and end your nights exploring the countless clubs and restaurants that make the San Francisco nightlife so world renowned. 

San Francisco to Chicago! October 10-12

As the group stages come to an end, your North American Worlds trip finally hits the road! Depending on your commitment to driving, it might be wise to travel by plane. WARNING! Current flight costs for the entire trip could total between $1,000-$2,300-- depending on the flight. In comparison, a rough estimation for the cost of driving would likely hover around $500-- according to Travelmath.com-- which would depend on the cost of gas during the event.

The drive from San Francisco to Chicago will take roughly 31 hours behind the wheel. Considering you’ll only have three days, it might be wise to agree on rotating driving duties to give everyone a fair chance to rest. Night driving is not ideal, but it might be necessary if you wish to enjoy some daytime sightseeing.

If all goes well, you should arrive in Chicago, Illinois for the October 13 start of the Quarterfinals.  

Quarter Finals - Chicago, Illinois - October 13- October 16

Your time in Chicago may be brief, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit some of the top tourist attractions that the Windy City has to offer! 

Hotels near the arena...

You shouldn’t have much trouble finding a hotel in Chicago. The Congress Plaza Hotel offers $166 a night, while there is  a Red Roof Inn .5 miles from the theatre for $170 a night.

Activities in Chicago...

1. The Art Institute of Chicago is a definitely a must-do. You can also make the walk to Millennium Park, which is a short walk from the museum.

2. For all you baseball fans out there: the Chicago Cubs are predicted by many to be the best team in the National League! Assuming they make the playoffs, this could be the opportunity to see a playoff game at the historic Wrigley Field. Note that this may create scheduling conflicts while raising the cost of the trip by a fair margin. 

3. The Willis Tower Skydeck gives guests the opportunity to step onto a glass ledge of one of the tallest buildings in the Western Hemisphere!

4. The Lincoln Park Zoo could be a fun experience for the animal-lovers in your group. PLUS it’s FREE!

5. Visit Buckingham Fountain & Grant Park for a peaceful stroll through one of Chicago’s main attractions.

6. The Rosebud is a highly-rated restaurant for anyone that enjoys Italian cuisine. Girl & the Goat and the Frontera Grill are also expensive options for those seeking a good meal in Chicago.

Chicago to New York/New Jersey - October 17 - October 20

The estimated driving time is 12 hours, according to travelmath. A good cost-cutting measure for the New York matches would be to stay in Jersey City, NJ to avoid the unreasonable costs of staying overnight in the city. 

Jersey City and New York City - October 21- October 22

The LCS Summer Finals were held in NYC - Reddit user /u/lcykelvin

Assuming you stay in New Jersey, a train or bus would be the best way into Manhattan. From there, you will be in walking distance of Madison Square Garden and the rest of the hottest attractions in NYC!

Hotels in Jersey City

The Medowlands Plaza Hotel in Jersey City offers $129 dollars a night on Hotels.com. The Holland Hotel would keep the price low at $169 a night.

Activities in New York

1. Times Square is within walking distance of Madison Square Garden. There, you can shop to your heart’s content while gawking at the often-outlandish prices that you’ll be sure to find at a number of massive department stores!

2. Enjoy the world-famous cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery.

3. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral on 15 East 51st Street.

4. Unwind from a long day of travel in Central Park. You could even pack a lunch for a picnic.

5. Pay your respects to the victims of 9/11 at the National Memorial & Museum for the tragic event. 

6. Buy cheap tickets in Times Square, and see a show on Broadway! You’ll notice that there are no baseball suggestions. If there are games being played in either Flushing or the Bronx; good luck getting tickets!

The Road to Los Angeles - October 23 to October 29 

This will be the longest leg of the trip: a whopping 42 hours! You’ll have to average 7 hours of driving a day to make it in time for the finals! On the bright side-- you’ll have completed a month-long round trip across the United States in order to watch mostly Koreans play video games. Explain that one to your parents or spouse!

The Finals - Los Angeles, California - October 29.

The Staples Center will once again host a World Finals - Riot Games

A month ago, you set out on a possibly life-changing journey through North America. You’ve witnessed League of Legends history while forming bonds with your trip mates that time could never sever. Perhaps it didn’t go as expected. Maybe you regret spending as much as you did. Regardless, it’s time for the finals!

Hotels near the arena...  

The Staples Center Inn should be a go-to hotel with a current rate of 110 dollars on Travelocity. You could also try the Stillwell Hotel at $100 a night.

Activities in Los Angeles

At this point, your journey will likely have you ready to return home. Sure you could spend a day exploring Hollywood and everything that LA has to offer, but the increased costs would make a return trip home a likely course of action. You’re here for the World Championship Finals, after all!  

1. Take a trip to Santa Monica pier if you’d like. 

2. Explore the Hollywood Walk of Fame while battling the crowds.

3. Disneyland is about an hour away, while Universal Los Angeles could be a closer option.

4. Shop and explore! Maybe you can track town your favorite professional team’s gaming house! It’s up to you.

Memories that will last a lifetime…

Be ready for the trip of a lifetime! - Riot Games

This trip will not be easy, as I’m sure you’ll be warned by family and friends. Managing to secure tickets alone may prove to be a difficult task. Anyone who doesn’t want to invest a fortune on this adventure can watch the entirety of the League of Legends World Championship on Twitch.tv/RiotGames… for free!

If you enjoyed this feature, connect with the author at @ESHSmitty.