LCS Locks in 2023 Summer Split Start Date, Ensuring Participation in League of Legends World Championship
The LCS will be able to participate in this year’s League of Legends World Championship after the late resumption of North America’s 2023 Summer Split was confirmed today. Riot Games has reached agreements with the LCS Players Association (LCSPA) regarding the state of the NA Challengers League (NACL), and the 2023 LCS Summer Split will begin on Wednesday, June 14.
Original Delay and Negotiations
The split was initially delayed by two weeks by Riot, with the threat of cancellation if an agreement was not reached. The LCS would have been excluded from Worlds. However, negotiations with the LCSPA have led to a resolution.
Upcoming Schedule and Finals
Due to the delay, games will be played every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 1pm CT for the next eight weeks. Despite this change, the LCS Championship finals are still scheduled to take place on August 19 and 20 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
New Terms and Adjustments
The League publishers and the LCSPA have agreed on new terms, including additional funding for the NACL. Other adjustments include changes to the NACL governing body, a minimum notice and severance requirement for players earning above the league minimum, optimization of scrim schedules, healthcare benefits for international players, and improved communication between the LCS, LCSPA, and teams.
The order of matches played during the Summer Split will remain the same, with the first match being a repeat of the Spring Finals between Cloud9 and Golden Guardians.
More details about the 2023 LCS Summer Split schedule and the LCS Championship are expected to be announced soon.
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