Introducing League of Legends Game Changers Rising

We are giddy with excitement to introduce you all to League of Legends Game Changers (LGC), the official EMEA women’s League of Legends competition.

LGC Rising is the inaugural tournament under this new banner, and the first step in building a meaningful competitive ecosystem for women across the region.

Creating a safe and welcoming environment where anyone can play and compete is something we’ve always felt passionate about at Riot, and we know you feel the same. We’re delighted to share details with you and write the first chapter of this exciting new journey for women’s competitive LoL in our region.

The foundation

With LGC, we have the chance to create something very special - grounded in the unique strength and momentum of the EMEA women’s League of Legends community - and we’re incredibly lucky to already have such a strong regional foundation to build upon to fully meet that potential.

Of course, we have the amazing success of VALORANT Game Changers to draw inspiration from. What our sister esport has accomplished is fantastic, and we can’t wait to put our unique spin on what they created.

Plus, we also get to follow on from the incredible efforts of our community, which have already led to amazing moments, like G2 Hel qualifying for the playoffs of Liga Nexo, the second-biggest Spanish regional league.

There have also been many wonderful local initiatives like the Equal Esports Cup (EEC) and the Coupe des Étoiles (CdE) in France that have already given women a platform to unleash their competitive spirits.

We’re looking to support and grow together with these local events across the region. LGC isn’t here to replace anything, the efforts of these tournament organizers and LEC teams are a vital part of our shared journey and evolving history.

And while we have great ambitions, we’re not going to rush anything.

We want to develop LGC alongside the community, watch it grow organically, and, most importantly, enjoy the journey with you all.

LGC Rising will be starting off with compact formats, partially to ensure we get things right but mostly so that there is plenty of room to grow as we aim to scale up these events year on year.

Fortunately, we have the support of our LEC organisations, who share the same passion and aspirations for LGC and are going to support this scene every step of the way. As will our licensing partners at Webedia, who we’re very grateful will bring these events to life.

The Road to Paris Games Week

We are still finalising details, but the competition is set to begin in August. For the first edition of LGC (Rising), we’re taking a cautious and thoughtful approach - focusing primarily on online play to ensure we build something healthy and sustainable from the start. We know how meaningful in-person, live events are to the community: we feel the same, and we’re committed to making them a growing part of this journey over time.

That said, we’re incredibly proud to share that the inaugural LGC Rising will conclude with a live Grand Final on stage at Paris Games Week, one of Europe’s largest gaming events. It’s a powerful moment to celebrate the players and the community, and a strong signal of where we’re headed.

Once again, we just want to say how thankful we are for everything this community has already built and we can’t wait for the future of women’s competitive League of Legends.

Make sure you follow this journey along with us by keeping up to date with the latest news on lolesports.com and @LEC on all social media platforms.

FAQs

Who can compete in LGC Rising?

LGC Rising is open to all individuals who identify as women. Our goal is to create a respectful, competitive environment where everyone feels welcome to play, grow, and be celebrated.

How are teams being selected?

We’re combining direct invitations with open competition. A total of three rosters already active in the space - particularly those affiliated with LEC organisations - will receive invitations. Additionally, the three finalists from the Equal Esports Cup (Germany) will be given slots based on their previous performances.

To ensure broader accessibility and opportunity, we’ll also be hosting an Open Qualifier in August. This gives emerging teams a chance to prove themselves and join the main event.

What will the tournament format look like?

LGC Rising will kick off with eight teams split into two groups. Each group will play a best-of-one, single round robin. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs. There, the format shifts to a high-stakes double elimination bracket played in best-of-five series, with only the strongest advancing to the Grand Final at Paris Games Week.

What’s the timeline for LGC Rising?

While some dates are still being finalized, here’s the current schedule:

• Open Qualifier: August (Date TBC)

• Group Stage: September 13–14, 20–21, 27–29

• Playoffs: October 10–12 and 14–15

• Grand Final: October 30, live on stage at Paris Games Week