Riot Games has confirmed that the English broadcast of the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), China’s premier competitive LoL league, will be discontinued starting in 2025.
Instead, the LPL will only be available to international fans through co-streaming, a move that has provoked widespread criticism from the League of Legends community.
A Shift in the Competitive Landscape
The announcement comes amid preparations for the 2025 League of Legends competitive season, which introduces a global circuit with five regional leagues: LTA (North-South America), LCK, LPL, LEC, and LCP, as well as the debut of the new international event, First Stand.
However, Riot’s decision to end the English broadcast of the LPL has overshadowed these developments, with fans and industry professionals alike expressing frustration.
Community Backlash
Prominent voices in the LoL community, such as esports commentator MonteCristo, did not mince words about the decision. “This is garbage. There’s no way this benefits fans and it’s a terrible cost-cutting measure that makes following global LoL significantly worse,” he stated.
Many fans view the decision as part of Riot’s broader budget cuts, which have included significant layoffs throughout 2024. Reports indicate that nearly 600 jobs were eliminated across the company this year, with the LPL English production team now added to the list of casualties.
Co-Streaming Replaces Traditional Broadcasts
Riot has expressed enthusiasm about transitioning the LPL’s English coverage to co-streaming platforms. However, fans have criticized the company for framing the announcement positively while it leads to job losses and a diminished viewing experience for the global audience.
Conclusion
The removal of the LPL’s English broadcast marks a significant shift in how fans will engage with one of the world’s most competitive LoL leagues.
While Riot cites co-streaming as a viable alternative, the decision has left fans questioning the company’s commitment to global accessibility and the broader competitive ecosystem. For now, the LPL’s future as a globally accessible league hangs in the balance.
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