Summary
- Riot Games eliminated the mandatory locally trained representative (LTR) requirement across all European Regional Leagues starting in 2026.
- Teams can now field rosters without local players, but must still include at least three players from EMEA.
- Individual tournament organizers may choose to implement their own local restrictions, meaning Riot will no longer enforce a unified rule.
Riot Games switched things up for the European League of Legends scene with their recent announcement. They confirmed the removal of the mandatory locally trained representative (LTR) requirements for the ERL system. Due to this, tournament organizers have the capacity to create their own eligibility rules. Here’s everything you should know about Riot Games LTR requirements decision.
Understanding the Current LTR System
For years, the locally trained representative system has been present in the European LoL competitive scene. Until 2024, every ERL team was required to field at least two LTR players on their roster. However, in 2025, Riot began adjusting these rules to give individual leagues the option to increase the minimum requirement to three LTR players.
The LTR status has been implemented to encourage teams to push development of domestic talent. There are several ways on how one can gain LTR status including such as the following:
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- Residency in a region for at least 36 out of the last 60 months
- Competing in an ERL for 3 out of 5 splits
- Living in a competitive area for at least 36 months after their 13th birthday.
However, this system also has its loopholes like foreign players competing in regional leagues can earn LTR status. This sometimes defeats the purpose of fostering genuine local talent. With this, teams can field rosters without any truly domestic players like TeamOrangeGaming in the Prime League during the 2025 Summer Split.
What Changes in 2026
Starting next season, Riot Games will no longer mandate a unified LTR rule across all ERLs and Challengers Leagues. This also means that the LTR status will effectively cease to exist as one of Riot’s requirements. So any European player can compete in any regional league without restrictions based on nationality or residency.
Also, teams can now field five players from completely different regions. A French league team can now roster five Spanish players despite not having competed in France before. The only remaining restriction is that teams must include at least 3 players from within the EMEA region.
This rule prevents the rosters from being composed entirely of imports from regions such as Korea, China, and North America. Based on Riot’s official statement, tournament organizers are also encouraged to continue implementing LTR or similar eligibility rules. But most are expected to maintain local restrictions to still support talent development. However, the French LFL reportedly fully lifted all such restrictions for upcoming tournaments.
Why Riot Made This Decision
But why did Riot come up with this decision in the first place? According to Riot Games, the uniform rule didn’t suit every market’s unique conditions. Hence, it will be best to give each tournament organizer flexibility, to produce clearer and better-tailored regulations.
Also, this change coincides with broader discussion about Europe’s competitive level and LEC’s struggles at international tournaments. With the removal, teams can now assemble five best ERL players in a single team regardless of nationality. This could raise the overall skill ceiling in tier-two competition and better preparation for LEC players.
Conclusion
Now, fans are looking forward to how the removal of LTR requirements by Riot Games will affect the European gaming scene. With loosen up restrictions, eyes are on teams and their move in the upcoming tournaments. It is also a sight to see how local players will keep up with the increased competition.
Writer’s Recommendations
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