The Future of LCS: Riot Games Remains Committed to Esports
2023 has been a challenging year for esports, and the LCS has not been immune to the difficulties. However, Riot Games, the organizer of North America’s premier League of Legends competition, is determined to see the league thrive. In a recent press panel ahead of the LCS Summer Finals, Riot’s newly appointed head of LoL esports for the Americas, Carlos Atunes, and Riot’s head of NA esports, Raul Fernandez, expressed their optimism for the future of the LCS.
Despite the declining viewership and fan interest, Riot is committed to investing in the LCS to ensure its long-term stability. Fernandez emphasized the financial viability of the league, thanks to the sustained support from external partners, sponsors, and the internal structure. Riot believes that the LCS is an integral part of the esports ecosystem and intends to continue its involvement for generations to come.
Fernandez and Atunes, with their extensive experience in LoL esports, acknowledged the substantial growth of the LCS since the mid-2010s. However, they also recognize the challenge of envisioning its position in the next 15-20 years.
In Riot’s view, despite lower viewership numbers, the core fans remain engaged with the LCS, and the longer the league operates, the stronger its position becomes as a legacy brand in esports. Riot acknowledges the need to address scheduling and promotional efforts to attract more viewers and reconnect with fans who may have drifted away in recent years.
Looking ahead, Riot is focused on bringing back fans who may have lost interest in the LCS and ensuring consistent viewership throughout the season. Although this year has been difficult, the potential for a resurgence exists, and if the LCS can recapture even a fraction of the spark that propelled it to the top of esports in the late 2010s, it can bounce back from its current challenges.
LCS, Riot Games, esports, League of Legends, viewership, fan interest, future, stability, promotional efforts, engagement