© 2026 Riot Games. All Rights Reserved.
© 2026 Riot Games. All Rights Reserved.
A New Chapter for the NLC
Today, we’re here to share what comes next for the UK, Ireland and Nordics following the recent changes to the NLC.
As announced in late 2024, the NLC began transitioning towards a more decentralised model, with a stronger focus on national competitions and local ecosystems. Following the Winter Split, we are continuing that evolution to better support long-term sustainability and growth across the region.
When the NLC was originally created, it brought together the UK, Ireland and Nordics under a single banner. However, with the continued development of the ERL ecosystem, we have seen the increasing benefits of the decentralised model and believe this is the right moment to further the transition and split the region into two competitive tracks: UK & Ireland and the Nordic countries.
We’re excited about what this unlocks: more opportunities for players through local competitions, the chance to crown National Champions, and live events closer to home for fans across the region.
As part of a transitional year, these competitions will continue to operate under the NLC banner in 2026. From 2027 onwards, they will evolve into two distinct regional competitions. Throughout this transition, teams from both regions will compete for a pathway to EMEA Masters, ensuring continued access to the broader regional ecosystem.
For the 2026 season, the NLC will operate under an interim structure to ensure continuity of competition during this transition period. GameWaves, the tournament operator behind Benelux’s ERL (Road of Legends) will lead operations in partnership with local TOs, who will continue to run domestic leagues.
The Spring Split will take place in a shortened format to catch up to the ERL schedule. Arctic Pandas, DMG Esports, Verdant, Bulldog Esports, LEO, Deer Gaming, Lundqvist Lightside and Ruddy Corporation will compete in an intense single round robin Best-of-One stage, with the top five teams advancing to a seeded double-elimination playoff bracket. The champion will secure a slot to the EMEA Masters Spring Split, representing Northern Europe on the regional stage.
As we continue to work on the transition, we’ll have more information on the Summer Split and how it will function towards the end of June.
As the transition continues through 2026, our focus is on building stronger, more sustainable regional ecosystems by working closely with local tournament operators and national leagues. Existing NLC teams will have time to transition into the new model, ensuring continuity while the ecosystem evolves.
We will continue to improve competitive pathways, support the development of local talent, and enhance the overall level of play across both regions. At the same time, we aim to expand opportunities for fans to engage with competitions locally, including live events and community-driven moments.
Our goal is to create a structure that is both competitive and resilient long-term, one that supports players, teams, and fans across Northern Europe.
The NLC 2026 Spring Split launches May 25th at 19:00 CEST and you can tune in on the NLC Twitch channel. You can follow the NLC social channels for more information and get reminders when the games go live.
