Summer Splits and New Features for LCS and NL

Jun 6, 2024

Summer Explainer Video Recap

LCS Format Changes

  • Introduction of Single Round Robin Best of Three Format
    • Focused on fan and Pro Player satisfaction
    • Provides teams with up to 50% more games
    • Allows mid-series adaptations
    • Maintaining 9 minutes between Nexus fall and Champion Select
  • Testing Phase
    • Understand potential short-term viewership dip
    • Supported by core and casual fans
    • Historical context: Best of Threes in 2016 led to viewership drop
    • 2024 deemed ideal time to revisit with 8 teams
  • Playoffs Adjustments
    • All teams start on winner side
    • Seeds 1 and 2 get first-round byes
    • SE1 (Seed 1) can choose their path in the upper bracket
    • Gauntlet reintroduced for losers bracket

LCS Schedule

  • Summer Split Dates
    • Starts June 15th
    • Ends with Week 7 Best of Three
  • Week Adjustments
    • No super weeks
    • Weeks 2 and 4 in the LCS studio
    • Week off around Esports World Cup
    • Adjustments after break: Week 3 on Thursday and Friday
  • Tickets
    • Purchase tickets as soon as possible for favorite matchups

Watch Experience Improvements

  • New Twitch Extension
    • Detailed build and game information during gameplay
    • Feature for live patches
  • Casual Watch Experience
    • Partnering with watch parties across North America
    • Merch and swag for these events
    • Updates via LCS socials

NL News

  • New Partnerships
    • Brandon Sanderson’s Dragonsteel and OTK’s StarForge Systems joining
    • Dragonsteel partnering with Mville University
    • StarForge Systems partnering with Cincinnati Fear
    • Allows financial support for players
    • Building the North American Celebrity League (NACL)

Fearless Draft Updates

  • Going Full Fearless
    • No team can pick a champion already chosen in the series
    • Game 4: Limited to first round bans (3 Champions per team)
    • Game 5: No bans, 40 previously picked champions not allowed
  • Increase in Best of 5s
    • Doubling the amount in playoffs

Money Matches

  • Introduction of Money Matches
    • Cash prizing for winners of specific matches
    • Occurs during Super Weeks (Weeks 4 and 5)

Closing

  • Accompanying NL Primer Article
    • More details on schedule, formats, money matches, YouTube channel, and NACL qualifiers
  • Season Kickoff
    • Starts June 15th