After an amazing start to the competitive year, the 2024 Summer Split is looking even better for League of Legends fans in North America, thanks to some significant improvements to the LCS and its structure.
Commissioner Mark “MarkZ” Zimmerman explained the new changes in a season primer today, confirming that the LCS will be introducing a single round-robin, best-of-three format for the regular season. This is a result of a large fan response that has grown in recent years, particularly when comparing the LCS to the LPL and LCK.
“First and foremost, we remain dedicated to our ‘Fan First’ approach, which prioritizes our audience’s wishes and our teams’ competitive interests,” Riot stated. “We also believe that best-of-three formats allow teams to demonstrate their talents and strategies in many matches on the stage, rather than focusing on a single opponent each week.”
Furthermore, athletes will participate in a new playoff structure this summer, which will turbocharge the postseason and create even bigger narratives. This season, every team that advances to the Summer Split playoffs will be placed in the winners bracket, with a gauntlet-style lower bracket to allow for fantastic Cinderella runs to the final.
The top two seeds will receive a first-round bye, rewarding those that excel during the regular season, while the top team will be able to choose which side of the upper bracket they want to start on as the tournament progresses.
There is a possibility that the top team will only play two playoff series before the LCS Championship, whilst another team may play up to five playoff series before reaching the finals. It would be an unbelievable timeline that combined brilliance throughout the season with a hard push from the lower bracket to qualify for the 2024 World Championship.
There are three seats at Worlds 2024 for NA League teams, so expect plenty of excitement when the Summer Split begins on Saturday, June 15.