The Americas Tier-2 scene is undergoing a massive overhaul in 2025, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter for competitive League of Legends.
With the introduction of the League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA) and a brand-new structure, the changes aim to boost emerging talent and create a sustainable esports ecosystem in the region.
Leagues and Teams for 2025
The revamped Tier-2 system divides the Americas into two conferences—North and South—with each conference hosting two leagues. This results in a total of four Tier-2 leagues:
North Conference
- NACL (North America Challengers League): Featuring 10 teams, including Dragonsteel, Supernova, and Luminosity Gaming.
- LRN (Liga Regional Norte): Consisting of 8 teams, such as Lyon Gaming Academy and INFINITY.
South Conference
- CD (Circuito Desafiante): Hosting 10 teams like Red Canids Kalunga Academy and Vivo Keyd Stars Academy.
- LRS (Liga Regional Sur): A league of 8 teams, mostly decided through qualifiers.
Format Highlights for 2025
The 2025 season introduces innovative changes to gameplay and league structure:
- Split Structure:
- Split 1: March to June, featuring a Fearless Draft system where champions can’t be picked more than once in a series. Games follow a best-of-three format, with playoffs adopting a double-elimination bracket.
- Split 2: July to September, with shorter schedules and best-of-one matches in the regular season. Playoffs retain the double-elimination format, but Fearless Draft is excluded.
- Promotion System Returns:
- At the end of Split 2, the top two Tier-2 teams face Guest Teams from the LTA in a Promotion Tournament. Winners earn a year-long spot in the Tier-1 LTA leagues.
- Open Qualifiers:
- Every league includes open qualifiers, allowing unlimited teams to compete for a spot in Tier-2, fostering fresh talent annually.
2025 Schedule
The Tier-2 leagues align with the LTA’s second and third splits, with a Promotion Tournament concluding the season.
- Split 1: March–June
- Split 2: July–September
- Promotion Tournament: October
A Platform for Rising Stars
The new structure is designed to ensure emerging talent in the Americas has a clear path to professional success. From open qualifiers to the return of promotion tournaments, teams now have opportunities to compete at international tournaments like First Stand, MSI, and Worlds.
With the 2025 changes, League of Legends in the Americas promises a competitive and inclusive environment that pushes the boundaries of professional esports. Stay tuned as the journey unfolds!