The League of Legends aka LoL Championship Series, or LCS for short, is the summit of esports action in the USA and Canada. Among the twelve regions of the global League of Legends competitive scene, LCS stands as one of the best leagues among the top tiers, sharing a pedestal with the LCK, LPL, and LEC as one of the four main leagues.
It’s where North America’s best-of-the-best battle it out in high-stakes matches, so every game is a show of skill, strategy, and epic moments. When it comes to League of Legends, the LCS isn’t just a league; it’s a legacy in the making!
All About the LoL Championship Series aka LCS
The LoL Championship Series has taken a long time since Riot Games launched it back in 2013 as the top League of Legends competition in North America and Europe. LCS became a strong cornerstone of global esports with player salaries guaranteed, team support, and a dynamic promotion/relegation system.
In 2018, Europe rebranded as the LEC, leaving the LCS to fly the flag for North America. Over time, the LCS adapted with format changes, franchising, and rebrands to keep the competition fierce. But 2023 turned the Rift upside down—schedule changes, a player walkout, and the departure of two teams left the league with just eight squads and a whole new story to tell!
LCS Championship Seasons
The LoL Championship Series is split into two seasons: spring and summer. Here’s everything you need to know about the major tournaments that will eventually culminate into the ultimate championship finals.
Spring Season
The LCS Spring season is where North America’s League of Legends esports action truly heats up! As the premier level of competition in the region, the LoL Championship Series (LCS), run by Riot Games, brings together the best teams to battle it out in a two-split showdown—the Spring season and its Summer counterpart.
Spring is a season of intense rivalries and unforgettable plays that lead to a double-elimination tournament, but the real excitement is the Summer playoffs. The top three teams secure their spots in the ultimate showdown—the League of Legends World Championship. It’s a journey to glory, and every game gets them one step closer to the crown!
Summer Season
The LCS Summer season is one-half of the epic two-split competition that defines the LoL Championship Series (the Spring split being its equally thrilling counterpart).
The stakes are sky-high in the Summer season, as the best teams battle through the regular season into a high-pressure, double-elimination playoff bracket. Only the top three will earn their coveted spot at the League of Legends World Championship—champions, runners-up, and third-place legends.
LoL Championship Series Is Now the LTA
Since the LoL Championship Series first hit the Rift, 35 teams have battled it out to claim glory. But in 2018, the league locked in a star-studded roster of 10 permanent teams with the switch to franchising.
In 2024, the lineup got a shake-up! Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses said their goodbyes, trimming the roster to eight. Meanwhile, legendary org TSM’s spot found a new home with Shopify Rebellion, bringing fresh energy to the competition.
But the LoL Championship Series has already evolved:
On October 31, 2024, the LCS leveled up and became the League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA)! Get ready for the ultimate showdown as the Americas unite under one epic banner. With two powerhouse conferences—LTA North (formerly the LCS) and LTA South (formerly the CBLOL)—this top-tier league is bringing the heat like never before. Let the cross-regional rivalries begin!
Get ready for cross-regional rivalries, unforgettable plays, and a whole new level of competition as the Americas take center stage in the global League of Legends ecosystem. The Rift just got bigger!
