The European leagues in League of Legends and their teams are becoming more and more popular, which also increases the interest in participating in the LEC. Riot Games could be thinking about an expansion.
The interest in the regional leagues in Europe in League of Legends has been steadily increasing for some time now, making the most popular teams in these competitions also attractive for the League of Legends European Championship (LEC). Riot Games may be considering an increase to 12 slots due to this popularity.
The LEC was announced in 2018 and launched in 2019 as the successor to the European League of Legends Championship Series (EU LCS), the main competition in Europe. Organisations could apply for a fixed slot and, if successful, would be accepted into the ten-team league by organiser Riot Games in exchange for a large sum of money.
Teams that had previously been a part of the EU LCS cost €8 million to join, while new applicants had to pay €10.5 million. In the meantime, the value of an LEC slot has risen massively; in 2021, Schalke 04 sold its licence for 26.5 million euros to the Swiss organisation Team BDS.
The increase shows the growing interest in the LEC. Especially teams from La Ligue Française (LFL) or the Spanish SuperLiga (SL), the two most popular European leagues below the LEC, could increasingly cast an eye on the continent’s most important competition. Karmine Corp and KOI are two organisations from France and Spain founded by extremely popular influencers. Their teams in the LFL and SuperLiga respectively have been generating massive six-figure crowds for some time, comparable even to those of the LEC.
Range makes attractive
This also makes these organisations very attractive for the LEC, which is why an increase to 12 teams would not be out of the question in the future. This would make it possible to “bring the best and, above all, the teams with the widest reach into the LEC,” LoL expert Jona “JustJohnny” Schmitt told esports.com. However, according to the former presenter of the German-language Strauss Prime League, it would also be conceivable to let the LFL become a second LEC in the long term. This would then result in two pan-European leagues.
The LEC commissioner Maximilian Schmidt answered some fan questions on Discord at the beginning of February. A possible increase of the league to 12 slots was also discussed. Riot Games checks with the teams and partners at all times whether increasing the slots would be an option for the future. However, there are a number of things that need to be taken into account.
Game days would become longer
There are many factors to consider before making such a decision. According to Schmidt, “planning, competition format, finances and profitability and even the number of players, talents and staff” play a central role. After all, these would be needed to support new LEC teams.
This would also add a greater cost factor and organisation on Riot. From Johnny’s point of view, production would also be an enormous additional expense that would have to be managed. In addition, the match days would become longer, as in the current format there would be six instead of five matches per day. This could be a particular headwind for fans.
To celebrate the start of the LEC 2022 Season, Commissioner @RiotMAXtheX took to Discord to answer fans’ burning questions!
Read here: https://t.co/aU4dspyeTy pic.twitter.com/mxUjyOtENL
– LEC (@LEC) February 3, 2022
The LEC commissioner was also asked about a possible format change from best-of-ones to best-of-twos or best-of-threes. These lengthy matches, he said, are not an ideal experience for viewers:inside who like to follow all the games and stories of the LEC. “Bo3s in particular are usually difficult to schedule and mean a high time commitment from the spectators.” Moreover, if the LEC were to be increased to 12 slots, the match days would become much longer.
Increase could be coming
Riot Games, however, does not seem to be averse to the topic of topping up in principle. The company would regularly review its own format and develop it further, according to Schmidt. A lot depends on the wishes of the viewers. That is why they are asked about the format of the LEC to ensure the best experience.
In the end, it should also fit the LEC product. Before Riot Games tackles far-reaching changes such as an increase or a change in the format, it will be necessary to take many precautions. After all, according to Schmidt, the LEC is a unique mixture of competition and entertainment that should be maintained in the future.
