In 2019, League of Legends (LoL) plans significant changes to the EU LCS. Player salaries will be greatly increased, and relegation will be eliminated. This new model has caught the interest of football clubs. To buy into the league, a team must put down over 10 million euros.
There will be some changes to the European LCS tournament system of League of Legends. The league officials are following a similar principle as the North American LCS and the Overwatch League. The EU LCS will be restructured for 2019.
This includes increased player salaries and a franchise system. Football clubs are also waking up to the potential.
As a result, EU players have fewer reasons to switch to an American team and leave their home. In the past, the salary difference was a clear point for the NA LCS, but that may change now.
EU LCS Changes – Players Receive Significantly More Money
In 2019, the EU LCS is saying goodbye to the relegation system and switching to permanent partnerships. This means that every year, 10 fixed EU LCS teams will compete against each other. North America is already using this system, which allows for old and new teams. For example, in NA, “old” teams like “Immortals” or “Dignitas” have disappeared and made way for new teams like “100 Thieves” or “Golden Guardians”.
Motivation to participate in the EU LCS 2019 comes, among other things, from new income plans. The revenues that Riot and the league teams make will be pooled together. Riot makes money through sponsors and media rights. The entire pool will then be distributed as follows:
- Players receive 35% of the revenue pool
- Teams receive 32.5% of the revenue pool
- Riot receives 32.5% of the revenue pool – this money will be spent on events, broadcasts, and other purposes
Additionally, players receive significantly higher compensation when participating in the EU LCS. Previously, that was at least $29,791 per year; in 2019, it is expected to be at least $74,749. An increase of nearly 150%!
New Teams Must Buy Into the League for Over 10 Million Euros
Clubs wishing to participate in the new EU LCS must pay a considerable sum. There is a differentiation between existing participants who want to rejoin and new participants who are not currently in the EU LCS.
- Existing participants pay 8 million euros to join the league
- Teams entering the LCS pay 10.5 million euros for entry
In the North American scene, the buy-in prices were at the same level. This led to four new teams buying into the NA league: 100 Thieves, Golden Guardians, Clutch Gaming, and OpTic Gaming. The first three are significantly financially tied to basketball (NBA) franchises such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, and the Houston Rockets.
Interest from European Football Clubs
Such interest as seen in America could now also arise in Europe due to the buy-in rule. According to reports, Riot states that “several football clubs from Europe have expressed their interest in the league.” Many of them plan to participate in the next major international tournaments taking place in Europe. The EU LCS Spring Final in Copenhagen as well as the 2018 Mid-Season Invitational in Berlin and Paris in May.
Not Everyone Can Join – Riot’s 3-Phase Plan
Interested teams participate in a 3-phase process that runs throughout 2018.
- In Phase 1, teams present their marketing and business plans
- This point is particularly important for Riot. They want to see plans on how teams will engage local fans in their language and culture.
- In Phase 2, the best applicant teams are invited for an interview with Riot
- In Phase 3, the 10 permanent EU teams will be announced by Riot
Good News for the EU LCS and Its Talents
These planned changes for 2019 are good news for the league and its fans. Fans from Europe often express concerns that their talents may play for another league in the future.
In the past, it was often seen that talented players left their clubs from the EU to play in North America. Player salaries were certainly one of the reasons for that. With better salaries, players might be more motivated to stay in Europe. Although, according to Riot, that won’t be the only important point.
Two teams currently playing in the EU LCS, the Unicorns of Love and H2K, have already spoken about the lack of support in the current league. Other EU teams like Fnatic or G2 Esports have already applied for the NA LCS franchise last year but were not accepted.
For Fans in Europe, the System is Something New
The question is how fans in Europe will react to the system. We are used from popular sports like football to qualify through a relegation system rather than buying in. This means that top teams still need to perform well, or they risk being relegated.
Additionally, leagues here in Europe are divided by different countries. Riot also considered limiting the number of teams from each country in the EU LCS but decided against it. It is not yet the right time for that. The leagues and fan communities are still developing, and they want to give it more time.
What do you think about the franchise system for the EU LCS?
