League of Legends has dominated esports for almost 10 years now. The game has only improved over time, and it is safe to assume that League of Legends is the pinnacle of the whole esports industry. It is currently the e-sport game with the highest viewership and the engaging community grows bigger by the day.

The format of the League of Legends’ esports scene consists of three major leagues/tournaments: The Regional Championship Series, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and the World Championship (Worlds). The Regional Championship Series is the main league that builds up and selects the very best of each region in which the game features. The top teams in this league get to take part in MSI and Worlds. Of the regions that are involved in the scene, Europe (LEC), North America (LCS), Korea (LCK), and China (LPL)draw the most attention. These specific regions produce the most competitive, popular, and viewed players out of all the regions. Each region holds two series of tournaments annually, namely: Spring Split and Summer Split.

These tournaments are normally held in front of live audiences, but this year they had to be held online due to the world’s current pandemic situation. The Spring Split successfully concluded last March, creating some excitement and entertainment for the fans around the world, and the Summer Split is about to start in the same manner this weekend. Let’s get to know the regions a little better before the nail-biting action begins.

League of Legends European Championship (LEC)

LEC is the main esports league powered by the game developers for the League of Legends’ e-sport scene in Europe. Initially started as the EU LCS back in 2013 and rebranded to LEC in 2019, LEC has a very important place in the League of Legends’ universe. In recent years, LEC has proven to be the most competitive league in the world, building strong teams and individuals and bringing them to the scene. 2020 marks the 7th anniversary of the league, and the 7^th Spring Split is right around the corner. G2 Esports claimed the championship for the third consecutive time after securing the 2020 Spring Split, and they will be tying their own record if they manage to win this season as well. The teams participating in the 2020 LEC Summer Split are:

1. G2 Esports
2. Fnatic
3. Origen
4. MAD Lions
5. Misfits Gaming
6. Rogue
7. Excel Esports
8. FC Schalke 04
9. SK Gaming
10. Team Vitality

However, moving into the Summer Split, some changes have been made in the G2 roster and in some other teams as well. Out of all changes that occurred in teams getting ready for the Summer Split, the main roster change everyone has their eyes on is the lane swap in G2 Esports. The 2019 G2 mid-laner moved to the bottom lane in the Spring Split, and they are swapping their roles back in the Summer Split.

League of Legends Championship Series (North America)

LCS is the top level of professional League of Legends competitors in North America. It has been around for about seven years as well. League of Legends originated in the US, and LCS has helped the e-sport scene of the game immensely. LCS helped Riot Games create the community they needed to uplift the competition. LCS also paved the way for the establishment and strengthening of world-renowned esports organizations such as Cloud9, Team Solo Mid, and Team Liquid. Team Liquid managed to win four consecutive championships in 2018 and 2019, but their winning streak was demolished by Cloud9, as they grabbed the 2020 Spring Split championship spring Split.

The teams participating in the 2020 LCS Summer Split are:

1. 100 thieves
2. Cloud9
3. Counter Logic Gaming
4. Dignitas
5. Evil Geniuses
6. FlyQuest
7. Golden Guardians
8. Immortals
9. Team Liquid
10. Team SoloMid

The teams coming to the Summer Split have undergone vast changes. Many rosters have been updated, with players from other regions being imported to LCS. However, the main roster change everyone is interested in is the former Team Liquid ADC Doublelift leaving the team to join Team Solo Mid. Doublelift had a bad split earlier this year and now he has decided to join Team Liquid’s rival, TSM. Will he do any better?

League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK)

LCK is arguably the turning point in the history of League of Legends’ esports. LCK was founded eight years ago, and it brought a whole new level of competitiveness to the international scene. The world-renowned professional League of Legends athlete, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who is also dubbed as the best esports player in the world, also comes from LCK. New, talented players and teams are found almost every season in this league, and SKT T1/T1 has won the majority of the seasons from the beginning, including the 2020 Spring Split.

The teams participating in the 2020 LCK Summer Split are:

1. G
2. T1
3. DragonX
4. KT Rolster
5. DAMWON Gaming
6. Afreeca Freecs
7. APK Prince
8. Hanwha Life Esports
9. SANDBOX Gaming
10. Griffin

Out of all the changes that have been made in the teams for the Summer Split, Sandbox Gaming’s acquisition of Jakob “YamatoCannon” Mebdi as the head coach has drawn the most attention. This change is important because Jakob is the first non-Korean coach in the history of LCK.

League of Legends Pro League (LPL)

LPL is China’s primary League of Legends professional league. It was established in 2013 and has been creating opportunities for the professional scene in China since then. However, this league is a little different compared to the rest of the world, as LPL features 17 teams in their league. Teams like Royal Never Give Up, Edward Gaming, and Invictus Gaming are among the most popular teams LPL has created and sent to international stages. JD Gaming became the champions of the recent 2020 Spring Split, and the competition coming to the Summer Split is greater than ever.

The teams participating in the 2020 LPL Summer Split are:

1. Suning
2. Victory Five
3. Royal Never Give Up
4. Vici Gaming
5. LCGD Gaming
6. Team WE
7. FunPlus Phoenix
8. Invictus Gaming
9. JD Gaming
10. Rogue Warriors
11. Top Esports
12. EDward Gaming
13. eStar Gaming
14. Bilibili Gaming
15. Dominus Esports
16. LNG Esports
17. Oh My God

Out of the changes that have been made to LPL’s rosters, the hottest one is the sad news that RNG Uzi is retiring from pro play and is being replaced by Betty. Also, another change to look forward to is the new rookie team, Top Esports, which has the former World Champion JackeyLove on their roster. They managed to secure 2^nd place in the last Spring Split, and the fans have high hopes for them.

Which League are you most excited about? Which teams will win the top seeds to stand a chance at securing a spot in the World Championship?