As we approach our 13th season, we are humbled by LoL Esports’ rise to unprecedented heights as the most-watched esport in the world. As we look to the future, we are committed to building on the foundation that was laid over the first 12 years and taking a multi-year approach to further grow and evolve the ecosystem alongside teams, pro players, and partners. Our first steps were announced earlier today with the formation of the [EMEA region][1]. Today, we want to outline an additional step down this path.
Starting in 2023, the League of Legends Pacific Championship Series (PCS) ecosystem will expand to include the League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO). The LCO will continue to play its domestic season in Oceania (OCE). However, rather than qualifying directly to MSI and Worlds, the top two teams from each LCO split will seed into the PCS playoffs and compete with other PCS teams for a chance to represent the larger region at international events.
We believe that participation in the PCS will offer a more competitive landscape for LCO teams, provide richer opportunities for player development, and spark broader interest and fandom in LCO teams and players. This change preserves the opportunity for the LCO to reach international events with a successful performance in the PCS playoffs, and is a significant step towards building out a more competitive, multi-tiered ecosystem across the world.
Residency status will also be impacted by these changes. Currently, OCE players are considered resident players for import rule purposes in both OCE and North America (NA). At the end of calendar year 2022, every OCE player who has signed with a League Championship Series (LCS) or LCS Academy team at any point (including those signed between this announcement and the end of 2022), will have the option to declare themselves as a resident of either the PCS or the LCS.
This is a one-time option to minimize any disruption that these changes to the import rules may cause for players and teams. Going forward, OCE players will be considered exclusively PCS residents. That means they can join any team within the PCS ecosystem without being considered an import player, and that LCO teams can sign players from other PCS teams without those players being considered import players in OCE. Future OCE players and players who have the option but do not elect LCS residency will be considered import players on LCS rosters.
As we gear up for the next decade of LoL Esports and beyond, we are confident that these changes will ultimately help create a more competitive, compelling global landscape for LoL Esports and fans for years to come.
[1]: https://lolemea.com/
