Now that Worlds 2024 has concluded, League of Legends esports is announcing the various changes across the globe for 2025, and the EMEA Regional Leagues are getting several changes to better team experiences.
To preface the changes, it’s worth noting that the EMEA Regional Leagues are specifically geared to help raise emerging talent and give them a way to get to the pro scene. It’s also called the Tier 2 ecosystem in LoL esports, and there are tournaments in local communities as well as larger tournaments.
To begin with, these local tournaments will have a bit more flexibility when creating their competition formats. This gives tournament organizers a chance to tailor tournaments to the needs of their community. There will still be a structured split format with this.
Additionally, tournaments don’t have to air every single match, and they can create studio or remote setups for their official broadcasts. ERLs also won’t be required to host live events, which frees up resources for other areas of the ERL.
Plus, tournament organizers can now give teams the right to stream all ERL matches, including in first-person view. This has the opportunity to create a new way for fans to enjoy LoL esports. A first-person POV lets viewers really get into the shoes of the ERL player they’re watching.
Teams won’t be required to have a substitute anymore. Additionally, emergency substitutes are able to be brought on during an active competition as approved by the tournament organizer. Additionally, ERLs won’t need to have a Division Two for teams that are close to making it in the ERL scene. However, there’s still a promotion-relegation tournament required to give those teams a chance at promotion.
Some areas will be getting more locally trained representatives as the region expands the ERL. Some regions will even get more team slots to tackle this. Rules on third-party competitions are also loosening up to give players more freedom and more competition.
These changes are just the start for 2025 Regional Leagues in League of Legends EMEA specifically. More will be announced in the future, presumably before the 2025 season starts around the end of January.
For more League of Legends 2025 changes, check out the EMEA LEC changes and the new Championship of The Americas region.
