The League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) has officially decided to scrap the controversial Summer Split format after widespread criticism from players, fans, and analysts. LEC Commissioner Artem Bykov confirmed via X that the 2025 structure “didn’t land the way we hoped,” and Riot Games is now working on changes aimed at increasing competition days and improving match variety for the 2026 season.
Hi everyone, I’ve been following the feedback about the Summer Split format and schedule, and I want to be upfront about it. Summer Split format didn’t land the way we hoped and we won’t bring it back next year. We’re also looking for ways to increase the number of competition…
— Artem Bykov (@arbykov) August 29, 2025
LEC Summer Split Format Faced Major Backlash
The LEC Summer Split format introduced in 2025 divided 10 teams into two groups of five and allowed each team to play only four Best-of-Three (Bo3) matches in the regular stage. While Riot intended to eliminate Best-of-Ones (Bo1s) and deliver more competitive matches, the structure frustrated the community.
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Fans argued that four matches were far too few to determine rankings fairly.
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Group divisions limited team matchups and reduced inter-regional competitiveness.
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Scheduling issues arose as the Berlin Riot Games studio hosted both LEC matches and VCT EMEA Stage 2, resulting in fewer competition days.
Bykov explained that the original goal was to make games more meaningful while accommodating the tight schedule caused by global events like MSI, EWC, and the Madrid Finals. However, consistent negative feedback forced Riot to reconsider its approach moving forward.
Why the 2025 Format Didn’t Work
The 2025 Summer Split tried to innovate but fell short due to several key factors:
[Sheep Esports] The LEC has recorded a deficit of 28.5M Euro (+155%) in 2023, and the league sits at 53M Euro cumulative losses.
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Limited gameplay: With only four Bo3s, fans felt regular-season games lacked depth.
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Uneven team exposure: Teams rarely faced off outside their groups, creating perceived competitive imbalance.
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Community criticism: Reddit threads and fan surveys showed strong opposition, with many calling the system “unfair” compared to leagues like the LCK, which use triple round-robin formats.
The playoff path also sparked debate. While the top two teams from each group advanced directly, those finishing third and fourth had to fight for the last two spots in cross-group Best-of-Five (Bo5) matches. Many believed this setup gave early leaders an unfair advantage while restricting comeback opportunities.
Riot’s Plans for the 2026 LEC Season
Bykov confirmed that Riot has completely dropped the Summer Split format for 2026 and is actively exploring alternatives to expand competition days. While a full plan has not yet been announced, several possibilities are being discussed internally:
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Returning to a double round-robin format to increase matches per team.
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Avoiding Best-of-Two (Bo2) formats due to community dislike of 1-1 draws.
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Considering 1v1 deciders to settle tied Bo2 results if Riot ever tests shorter series again.
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Resolving venue scheduling conflicts to secure more available match days.
This shift signals a broader effort to improve the LEC viewing experience, giving fans more matches, closer competition, and a smoother season flow without sacrificing Riot’s global event timelines.
What Fans Can Expect Next
Riot Games is expected to share full details of the 2026 LEC structure in the coming months. Based on current statements, fans can expect:
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More matches per team throughout the season.
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A playoff system designed for greater balance and fairness.
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Better coordination between LEC schedules, international events, and VCT crossovers.
For now, the organization is collecting community feedback to ensure the next iteration of the LEC format meets both player and viewer expectations. Competitive integrity and match frequency remain top priorities as Riot prepares for another exciting year.
