The MOBA League of Legends will be the biggest game on Twitch in 2025: This is due to a rule change that now makes it attractive for Twitch streamers to compete in LoL competitions while streaming their training and practice matches. Riot Games is now taking the next step.
This was the crucial step: The crucial rule change came before the 2025 season. Previously, it was unattractive for Twitch streamers to play in esports teams because it limited their activity as streamers too much. The streamers from the German team NNO therefore chose not to play in the Prime League’s 1st league after their spectacular rise, accepting significant losses.
After the rule change, playing in esports teams for LoL became attractive for Twitch streamers. With the new rule, “streamer teams” were founded in the regional leagues at the end of 2024:
- There were spectacular successes like Los Ratones for Caedrel, who achieved sporting success with his team and became the largest streamer on Twitch.
- Solid performances from the Germans NoWay and Broeki, who demonstrated that they still have what it takes despite being in their 30s.
- Spectacularly bad for Perkz, who tarnished his reputation as a top esports player with a weak performance.
LoL becomes the top game on Twitch in 2025, ahead of GTA 5 and Counter-Strike
This was the impact: Twitch streamers like Caedrel or Tolkin in Germany had already received a boost from Riot Games, as they were allowed to co-stream official esports matches: The influencers streamed the official esports stream but commented on it humorously in their native language.
With the new rule, starting in 2025, there were many more contents for these streamers and the opportunity to create their own content by streaming the training and practice matches of the streamer teams.
The viewer numbers of streamers and LoL itself increased significantly on Twitch. Currently, LoL is the most-watched game on Twitch, ahead of GTA 5 and Counter-Strike. However, there were still brakes on this boom. Riot Games is now loosening these brakes in Europe.
Barriers prevented the broadcasting of professional training matches
What was the problem? Twitch streamers were playing in regional leagues and had great success streaming their training matches. Now, “pro teams” also played with the idea of streaming their training matches, the scrimmages. Additionally, streamer teams wanted to compete against the professionals.
However, generally, broadcasting scrimmages is frowned upon by professionals: Teams should be able to experiment and not feel the pressure that arises when viewers watch their idols embarrass themselves with an unfamiliar pick or an overly aggressive playstyle.
Moreover, broadcasting practice games was forbidden for pro teams. The conflict became evident when Riot Games prohibited the broadcasting of a training match between the streamer team Los Ratones and the LEC team GiantX (via reddit).
Riot Games tests open scrimmages in the LEC
This is the rule change: Riot Games now allows LEC teams to broadcast their scrimmages until March 23. However, it points out that they may not show games when the EMA Championship is played (via x).
Riot Games states: They are closely monitoring how this affects competitive matches. If it benefits everyone, permanent permission may be granted.
Until now, according to Riot Games, broadcasting was prohibited to avoid oversaturation and to ensure that important matches still feel special. However, in the US, they have tested public broadcasting of scrimmages with great success, which is why they are now testing it in Europe as well.
Reviving esports, but at the expense of professional matches
This is being discussed: This is a clear decision for “entertainment and Twitch” and against the sporting integrity of LoL, and that is how it is received:
- Some say: This makes the real matches less important because now you constantly watch the professionals.
- Others say: The decision should be left to the teams.
The probably positive interpretation is receiving the most support on Reddit: “Los Ratones is single-handedly saving League of Legends in the West.”
Another comment says: “NNO wanted to do this previously, but they were prohibited. The change came too late for them.”
Germans were the pioneers of the change
What’s behind this: These are clearly economic decisions aimed at countering the “esports crisis.” In recent years, we’ve often heard that sporting success in LoL does not pay off, but rather that content creators with their reach are the financially more attractive route.
It is also true that the German team NNO acted as a pioneer, and now the Brit Caedrel is benefiting the most from the boom. Another rule aims to make esports more exciting, the Fearless Draft: Controversial new development in LoL esports is not well-received by everyone, but it is now also coming to the World Championship
