Last [November][1], we announced a reboot to LCS amateur and Academy, introducing a tiered tournament system that ladders up to the grand final of the NA amateur scene: the LCS Proving Grounds powered by Verizon on March 22.
Today we wanted to share more detail on the Tier 2 and Tier 1 tournaments, and introduce the partners who will be key to organizing and operating our expanded amateur and Academy ecosystem this year.
**Introducing Mobalytics Esports**
We’re proud to continue our work with the ultimate gaming companion **Mobalytics**, which has assisted numerous LoL esports orgs in helping scout and develop talent, and served as the official data partner at the 2019 and 2020 Honda Scouting Grounds.
Mobalytics Esports ([http://esports.mobalytics.gg/][2]) will serve as the homepage for all updates related to the LCS amateur and Academy ecosystem.
Starting January 21, Mobalytics Esports will track Tier 2 and Tier 1 qualification points, leaderboard, and top prospects. The page will continue to be developed with new info over time - so be sure to keep an eye on [esports.mobalytics.gg][3] and follow [@MobalyticsHQ][4] for updates.
[1]: https://lolesports.com/article/2021-amateur-ecosystem-updates/blt69197d4426878cfd
[2]: http://esports.mobalytics.gg/
[3]: http://esports.mobalytics.gg/
[4]: https://twitter.com/MobalyticsHQ
**Recap of the pathway to LCS Proving Grounds powered by Verizon**
Amateur teams will play through a series of Tier 2 tournaments to earn Qualification Points. These points will qualify 12 teams into Tier 1 tournaments.
Meanwhile, Academy teams will play through a shorter regular season in the Single Round Robin, Best of 1 format. At the end of this regular season:
- The top six Academy teams will place directly into LCS Proving
Grounds
- Seventh- and eighth-place teams will qualify into the first Tier 1
tournament
- Ninth- and tenth-place teams will qualify into the second Tier 1
tournament
Based on their performance in the three Tier 1 tournaments (or in Academy regular season), 16 teams will qualify into the LCS Proving Grounds and compete for a piece of the $100K grand prize.
**Tier 2 partners and qualification points**
*January 11 - 24*
The first Spring Tier 2 tournament is operated by **Risen Esports**, a staple of the amateur LoL community for years, who last worked with the LCS on the 2020 Scouting Grounds Circuit. The **Risen Champions League** began January 11 and will continue through January 24. Be sure to catch the Quarterfinals tonight at 5PM PT/8PM ET on [twitch.tv/Risen_Esports][1] and give them a follow [@RisenEsportsNA][2] on Twitter.
*January 25 - February 7*
The second Spring Tier 2 tournament will be operated by **Dark Star Gaming** ([@BIGLeagueNA][3], [twitch.tv/BigLeague_NA][4]), an amateur and semi-pro competitive organization powered by AOC Gaming and DeepCool.
*February 8 - February 21*
The last Spring Tier 2 event will be operated by **Challengers Uprising** ([@Challengers_Up][5], [twitch.tv/challengersuprising][6]), an upstart in the LoL amateur scene in North America.
[1]: https://www.twitch.tv/risen_esports
[2]: https://twitter.com/RisenEsportsNA
[3]: https://twitter.com/BIGLeagueNA
[4]: http://Twitch.tv/BigLeague_NA
[5]: https://twitter.com/challengers_up?lang=en
[6]: https://www.twitch.tv/challengersuprising
Here’s a snapshot of the qualification points awarded by each Tier 2 tournament:
**Risen Esports**
1st: 100 points
2nd: 80 points
3rd/4th: 70 points
5th/6th: 60 points
7th-11th: 40 points
12th-21st: 30 points
22nd-26th: 20 points
27th-32nd: 10 points
**Dark Star Gaming**
1st: 100 points
2nd: 80 points
3rd/4th: 70 points
5th-8th: 50 points
9th-16th: 30 points
17th-24th: 10 points
**Challengers Uprising**
1st: 100 points
2nd: 80 points
3rd/4th: 70 points
5th-8th: 50 points
2-3 Swiss: 30 points
1-3 Swiss: 20 points
0-3 Swiss: 10 points
**Tier 1 partners and qualification into LCS Proving Grounds**
After all Tier 2 events complete, the top 10 point earners will join the seventh- and eighth-place Academy teams in the first Tier 1 tournament. Teams that do not qualify into the LCS Proving Grounds from Tier 1 tournaments will have another shot at qualifying in the next Tier 1 tournament, until the third and final Last Chance Qualifier.
*February 22 - March 3*
The first Spring Tier 1 tournament will be operated by the **Unified Esports Association** ([@unifiedea][1], [twitch.tv/unifiedea][2]). Unified Esports Association is the parent company for Upsurge Esports and Midwest Esports Conference, both of which have had a long-standing presence in the amateur and collegiate esports scenes respectively.
The top four teams will qualify into LCS Proving Grounds.
*March 8 - March 17*
The remaining eight teams from the Unified Esports Association Tier 1 Tournament will qualify into the second Spring Tier 1 tournament (the GiantSlayer Spring Gauntlet), operated by **Wisdom** ([@GiantSlayerLoL][3], [twitch.tv/GiantSlayerLoL][4]). They’ll be joined by the ninth- and tenth-place Academy teams, and two amateur teams qualifying from Tier 2.
Wisdom is also partnering with Riot to operate competitive Teamfight Tactics and Legends of Runeterra events this year.
Again the top four teams will advance into LCS Proving Grounds.
*March 22 - March 25*
The remaining eight teams from the GiantSlayer Spring Gauntlet will qualify into the third and final Spring Tier 1 tournament, the Last Chance Qualifier, powered by **Nerd Street Gamers** ([@Nerdstgamers][5], [twitch.tv/nerdstgamers][6]).
NSG has been a key organizer across multiple events in the inaugural year of VALORANT esports.
The top two teams will fill the final two spots in LCS Proving Grounds, where all 16 teams will compete in the main event on March 22.
[1]: https://twitter.com/unifiedea
[2]: http://twitch.tv/unifiedea
[3]: https://twitter.com/GiantslayerLoL
[4]: https://www.twitch.tv/GiantSlayerLOL
[5]: https://twitter.com/nerdstgamers
[6]: http://twitch.tv/nerdstgamers
