TL;DR
League of Legends Championship of The Americas
New Name; New Look
Two Conferences: LTA North and LTA South
Welcoming the Tier 1 teams joining the Americas in 2025
2025 Format
LoL Esports is excited to introduce the League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA), the new name for the ecosystem of North America, Latin America, and Brazil under one banner - or, as we like to call it, the League of The Americas. This redefined region brings together two powerful conferences: LTA North, with teams from North America and Northern Latin America, and LTA South, with teams from Brazil and South America. By combining the talent, rivalries, and excitement from both regions, the LTA aims to elevate competition across the Americas, offering fans a dynamic and unified experience while showcasing the incredible teams that make up these two conferences.
New Look
The new logos for LTA, LTA North, and LTA South are crafted to celebrate both the heritage and future of these competitive conferences.
The LTA North and LTA South logos are inspired by their past identities as the LCS and CBLOL, paying tribute to the storied histories and accomplishments of each region. Meanwhile, the LTA logo symbolizes the unity of these two conferences, featuring compass needles pointing North and South. This design blends elements from both leagues, capturing not only the intense rivalries but also the strength and collaboration that define the Americas as a force in LoL Esports.
LTA North and LTA South Partners
The LTA North and LTA South each feature a blend of 8 teams, combining historic, legacy teams and rising stars. LTA North includes 6 LCS partner teams, an LLA partner, and a guest team, showcasing a rich mix of established champions and emerging talent. Similarly, LTA South is composed of 6 CBLOL partner teams, an LLA partner team, and a guest partner, creating a dynamic conference that highlights both legacy organizations and the growing presence of Latin American teams.
LTA North Partner Teams
Lyon Gaming - Six Karma and Movistar R7, two forces from the LLA, are combining to bring back an iconic brand in the history of Latin America as they enter the North Conference in 2025 as the official LATAM Partner team.
Cloud9 - Cloud9 became the first North American team since Season 1 to reach the semifinals at Worlds, accomplishing this historic feat in 2018 and solidifying their place in LCS esports history.
Dignitas - Dignitas was one of the original LCS teams in 2013, known for developing standout talent like Scarra and Imaqtpie, and helping to shape the early competitive landscape of North American League of Legends.
FlyQuest - Founded in 2017, FlyQuest became known for their "Go Green" initiatives and competitive rise, reaching back-to-back Finals in 2020 before finally securing their first LCS Championship title in 2024. FLY also successfully qualified for the Quarterfinals at Worlds 2024.
Shopify Rebellion - Shopify Rebellion made their entry into the LCS in 2024, debuting by acquiring the former TSM roster and quickly establishing themselves as a competitive force. They are set to continue their journey in 2025, aiming to build on their momentum in North America.
Team Liquid Honda - Team Liquid Honda made their mark by becoming the first team to win four consecutive LCS championships, dominating from 2018 to 2019 and cementing their legacy as one of North America's most successful teams.
Provisional Guest Team
100 Thieves - Founded in 2017, 100 Thieves quickly made their mark by reaching the LCS Finals in their debut year and later winning their first LCS Championship in 2021, solidifying themselves as a top contender. In 2025, 100 Thieves will be staying with the league in a provisional guest slot.
100 Thieves has decided to sell its franchise slot back to Riot Games due to business reasons, and Riot has made the decision to buy back the slot and work on a transition plan as we launch the LTA. For Season 2025, 100 Thieves will compete with full access to LTA and international tournaments, but will not be eligible for the Promotion Tournament at the end of 2025. We will review our plans for the Provisional Guest Team slot throughout 2025.
Guest Team
Disguised - Known for their viral rise in the North American Challengers League (NACL) in 2023, Disguised will be stepping up to the big stage in 2025 by taking the coveted Guest Slot in the North Conference. This move marks their first major appearance in a top-tier league, continuing their journey from grassroots success to international competition. By the end of Season 2025, Disguised will defend their slot in LTA North for Season 2026 against the representatives of NACL and LRN in the Promotion Tournament.
LTA South Partner Teams
Fluxo - Founded by Brazilian esports legends Nobru and Cerol, Fluxo aims for excellence without abandoning its roots. Its passionate fanbase came from other esports to add to the League scene.
FURIA - Renowned for their player development strategies and rapid expansion across various esports, FURIA has made a significant impact in CBLOL by introducing numerous emerging players who have the potential to shape the future of the region.
Leviatán - A rising force in Latin America known for their competitive spirit, Leviatán joined the LLA in 2024 and will be making waves in 2025 as they enter the South Conference as the LATAM Partner team.
LOUD - Bursting into the CBLOL scene in 2021, LOUD quickly rose to fame with their massive fanbase and won their first CBLOL championship in 2022, followed by three more to claim the biggest win streak in CBLOL history.
paiN Gaming - As one of the most traditional organizations in CBLOL history, paiN Gaming has won multiple championships and became the second Brazilian team to qualify for the World Championship in 2015. In 2024, for the first time in League of Legends history, paiN Gaming advanced to the Swiss Stage of Worlds.
RED Canids - With a rich legacy in CBLOL, RED Canids are celebrated for their aggressive playstyle and competitive prowess. Their three CBLOL titles cement their status as one of the league's top teams, earning them a passionate and fiercely loyal fanbase known as the Pack (Matilha), who are among the loudest and most dedicated in Brazil.
Vivo Keyd Stars - As one of the most iconic organizations in Brazilian esports, Vivo Keyd Stars has been a cornerstone of CBLOL. With a championship title under their belt and several Finals appearances, they've earned a reputation for developing top-tier talent. Their forward-thinking approach to scouting, including being among the first to bring international talent to Brazil, has raised the competitive bar in the region.
Guest Team
Isurus - One of the most storied teams in the LLA with multiple championship titles and Worlds appearances, Isurus will step into the South Conference of the Americas League in 2025 as a Guest Partner, continuing to represent Latin American esports on a larger competitive stage. By the end of Season 2025, Isurus will defend their slot in the LTA South for Season 2026 against the representatives of CBLOL Academy and LRS in the Promotion Tournament.
2025 Format
The 2025 format for the LTA introduces a fresh, innovative structure that brings excitement and flexibility to the competition. The LTA is divided into two conferences—LTA North, based in Los Angeles, and LTA South, based in São Paulo. Each conference will compete across three unique splits throughout the year, with live audiences in attendance. These new formats are designed to drive regional rivalries while encouraging cross-regional play, all while maintaining competitive integrity and excitement for fans across the Americas.
Split 1: Introducing the League of The Americas
The first split of the LTA season is designed to spark new rivalries and showcase revamped formats. This split begins with each conference competing in a double-elimination, best-of-three tournament in Fearless Mode, where teams face off within their own conference. By the end of this stage, the top 4 teams from LTA North will fly to Brazil to compete against the top 4 from LTA South. This next stage is a single-elimination tournament with the top 8 teams, continuing the best-of-three format. The finals will be played as a best-of-five, and the winner earns a spot at a new international event. This split is all about creating hype around fresh matchups and competitive battles.
Split 2: Sharpening Skills and Developing Strategies
Split 2 focuses on promoting opportunities for teams within the individual conferences to face one another and learn, adapt, and improve their styles. Teams will play a double round-robin, best-of-one format against the other teams in their conference, allowing them to quickly learn and beat their opponents as they prepare for the playoffs. After this regular season, the top 6 teams from each conference will enter a double-elimination playoff bracket, with the winner being crowned the conference champion and earning a spot at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI). This split emphasizes growth, testing teams' resilience and ability to adapt as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
Split 3: The Pick & Play System
The third and final split introduces a brand-new and never-before-seen format called the "Pick & Play" system. In this innovative format, we take the Bo3 format and take it up a notch to make it even more competitive - after each week of competition, teams will select their opponents for the following week live on stage. The initial matchups will be determined by Split 2 rankings, and after each week, teams with the worst match and game records will have the chance to challenge teams with better records. Teams are not allowed to challenge an opponent they have already faced, and standings from Split 2 serve as tiebreakers. This system encourages bold decision-making and rivalry creation, as teams "call their shot" to prove themselves.
After three weeks of Pick & Play, the elimination stage begins, with the bottom four teams fighting to stay alive, while the top teams enjoy safety. In this stage, the selection process flips, allowing the higher ranked teams to choose their opponents. By the end of week 6, only three teams from each conference will remain, and the top Southern teams will travel to the North for the 2025 Americas Regional Championship. The stakes are high in Split 3, as teams compete not only for the final slot at Worlds but also for the prestigious first-ever LTA Trophy.
Residency Rules Adjusted to Promote Flexibility
A key component of the new format is the flexibility provided to teams, particularly with roster composition. While each team will have a designated home region for residency rules, teams are allowed one player from anywhere in the Americas to be considered a local resident. This change gives organizations more flexibility when building their rosters, while maintaining a strong sense of regional identity. However, a team cannot have a majority of players from outside its home region. For instance, an NA team with 2 NA, 1 BR, and 2 KR players is acceptable, but an NA roster of 2 NA and 3 BR players wouldn't meet the requirement. This ensures that the spirit of each conference is upheld while allowing for cross-regional opportunities.
The Road to Worlds and the LTA Trophy
The new format will culminate in the Americas Regional Championship, where the top seeds from both conferences will secure automatic qualification to Worlds. The remaining teams will battle it out for the last remaining World Championship spot and the honor of being the first to lift the LTA Trophy. Each year, the location of key events will alternate between conferences, with the 2025 Split 1 Playoffs taking place in Brazil and the Americas Regional Championship being held in North America. This dynamic ensures that in the future, fans across the region will be able to engage with the competition both in-person and through viewing opportunities, no matter where the finals take place.
Overall, the 2025 format is designed to foster greater regional competition, encourage cross-regional rivalries, and provide fans with thrilling new matchups throughout the year. With unique splits, innovative formats, and high stakes, the LTA promises to bring a new level of excitement to League of Legends Esports in the Americas. We look forward to seeing you when the LTA kicks off on January 25, 2025!
