esports: LEC redesigned to integrate Turkey, the Middle East, North Africa & CIS

"LEC" will no longer stand for "League of Legends European Championship" but for "League of Legends EMEA Championship" as the Turkey, CIS, North Africa and Middle East (MENA) markets will be integrated into Riot Games' regional circuit from 2023 onwards, announced LoL Esports, the entity managing the US video game publisher's competitive circuit, on 18/11/2022.

The change will result in an overhaul of the annual League of Legends circuit. Divided into two distinct "segments" since its launch in 2013 ("spring split" and "summer split"), the LEC will change its format starting in 2023 with the additions of the "winter split" to start the season and the "LEC Season Finals", an end-of-season tournament offering qualifying spots for the World Championships (Worlds).

Each six-week segment will begin with a round robin format tournament (where each team plays each other) played over three weeks. The top eight teams will qualify for the group stage. The top four teams will then take part in the playoffs. The winning team from the playoffs of each split will qualify directly for the LEC…