For the future of Riot Games esports, for League of Legends, and even VALORANT. The developer from the United States agreed to combine various leagues in North America and South America into one. The system will not be any different, and it is very possible that the LLA league could lose its slot at the upcoming Worlds 2025 which will be held in England.
With this decision, Riot Games can provide better handling in the highest tier League of Legends league, which is the same as VALORANT where the league in the FPS game created by Riot Games still has two regions which become one in the American league.
This is not the first time Riot Games has combined several regions into one league. Previously, Riot Games had merged LJL (Japan) and LCO (Oceania) into one under the name PCS after several esports teams withdrew from the League of Legends league. However, the leagues for China and South Korea still have special treatment as standalone leagues that you can watch.
Riot Games also provided compensation for the league merger, including one additional slot for the latest LoL Esports event, two slots for MSI, and three slots for Worlds. Making the addition of this slot could provide a breath of fresh air for esports teams who want to be present in the Hall of Legends this decade.
Just like 2024, two esports teams that perform well at MSI 2024 will later get slots for Worlds 2025, so next year’s Worlds will have 17 slots to compete in. Worlds 2025 has a similar system including Play-ins, and the winner will join the 15 teams that passed in qualifying at the Swiss Stage.