In China, the LPL, the Chinese professional league of League of Legends, is on hold until further notice. No matches are taking place in the second division either. The reason is the outbreak of the Corona virus, which has already infected thousands and is causing significant restrictions in China. The Pacific Championship Series in Southeast Asia is also on hold, and the LCK in Korea is excluding the public.
This is the announcement: The Chinese LoL league LPL announced through its English Twitter account that week 2 of the league matches is postponed until further notice. They want to ensure that the health of players and fans is not at risk.
The LPL apologizes to the fans for the situation and promises to provide updates as soon as they have them.
The message ends with: “Stay safe and thank you for your support.”
The LPL’s junior league, the “Academy League,” is also on hold until further notice.
Why is this being blocked?? The LPL has just started. They had planned a break to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The league was supposed to resume on February 5.
However, due to the outbreak of the Corona virus in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December, public life in China is paralyzed:
- According to the latest reports, there are 87 deaths (via t-online)
- Thousands are said to be infected with the virus
- 56 million people are under quarantine
The Chinese LoL league is played in large LAN events: Players and fans have to travel and gather. This is seen as too dangerous under the current circumstances.
Meanwhile, the LoL leagues in Europe and North America are already underway. For the German representatives, Schalke 04, the start of the season does not look good.
Korea and Southeast Asia react
Update 29.1.: It is now known that the Korean professional league LCK is responding to the Corona virus. The 2020 Spring Split of the LCK in Korea will take place without spectators to ensure the safety of players.
Measures will be taken for players and officials to prevent infection and transmission of the Corona virus.
It is still unclear how long the exclusion of the public will last.
Another Asian league, the “Pacific Championship Series,” has announced, like China, to postpone the start of the Spring Split until further notice. Teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines play here.
The decision to pause the LPL league does not necessarily have to come from the LPL itself. The government has suspended professional sports events until March.
Head coach of the team is stuck in Wuhan
Some professional players are not with their teams. It is known that the coach and former player of Edward Gaming, Ming “Clearlove” Kai, is stuck in Wuhan, the center of the epidemic. There, the former star jungler celebrated the Chinese New Year and couldn’t leave the city afterwards.
However, he is not overly concerned about the virus. He said he could submit his draft online. However, this won’t be necessary if the league is on hold.
Meanwhile, the LoL leagues in Europe and North America are already underway. For the German representatives, Schalke 04, the start of the season does not look good.
Korea and Southeast Asia react
Update 29.1.: It is now known that the Korean professional league LCK is responding to the Corona virus. The 2020 Spring Split of the LCK in Korea will take place without spectators to ensure the safety of players.
Measures will be taken for players and officials to prevent infection and transmission of the Corona virus.
It is still unclear how long the exclusion of the public will last.
Another Asian league, the “Pacific Championship Series,” has announced, like China, to postpone the start of the Spring Split until further notice. Teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Philippines play here.
