League of Legends (LoL) esports just announced a game changer for 2025: a new international throwdown in March! This season starter throws teams from every region into a round-robin brawl, with the top dogs advancing to brackets. The results will also influence seeding for the Mid-Season Invitational, which is moving to July.
Fearless Draft Mode
Dominate the draft with Fearless Draft! This revolutionary mode for best-of-series matches throws past picks out the window. Champions used in previous games are banned, forcing teams to constantly evolve their strategies and unleash a diverse arsenal of champions throughout the series.
Revamped Season Structure
The traditional season structure has been reworked. Following the new international tournament, the year will be divided into three distinct phases. The second phase will determine qualifiers for the Mid-Season Invitational, while the third phase will culminate in a Regional Championship to crown the season-long champion in each region. This new format aims to make the different stages more cohesive and interconnected, raising the stakes for regular season matches throughout the year.
Multi-Region Leagues
In 2025, the Americas will unite as a single league with conferences for North and South America. This means LCS and CBLOL teams will clash alongside representatives from Latin America, with even more chances for a new champion to rise through a “Guest Team” slot via promotions.
Across the Pacific, a brand new league is going to be born! Top teams from Southeast Asia, Vietnam, and Oceania will join forces with established powerhouses from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macao, and Japan. This epic mashup promises mind-blowing regional rivalries and diverse matchups we’ve never seen before. League will decide the first “Guest Teams” by last year’s regional playoffs to keep things exciting.
Guest Teams and Promotion/Relegation 
Riot Games is also experimenting with “Guest Team” slots and promotion/relegation systems in these multi-region leagues, allowing the best teams from the Tier 2 system to compete for a spot in the top league, ensuring a fresh infusion of talent and competitive dynamism.
International Event Slots 
As for international event slots, each region will have one slot at the new March tournament, two slots at the Mid-Season Invitational, and three slots at the World Championship. The Mid-Season Invitational champion and the second-best performing region will earn additional World Championship slots, bringing the total number of teams at the event to 17.
Trade-Offs and Sustainability
While these changes aim to make the competitive League of Legends scene more exciting and sustainable, there will be trade-offs. The league will reduce the number of teams in the Tier 1 ecosystem. It will allow better distribution of revenue and concentration of player talent. This should result in more high-quality matches and a more streamlined ecosystem for fans to follow.
The Future of LoL Esports
Overall, the future of LoL esports is looking epic in 2025. We’re getting a brand new international event, a intense draft mode to keep things fresh, and a season schedule that flows better than ever. Plus, they’re merging regions to create new rivalries, adding promotion and relegation for more underdog stories, and making sure the scene is healthy for everyone. This is a major win for League fans!