The League of Legends Tier-One Association (LTA) is taking an unprecedented step in North America’s competitive scene by allowing teams to broadcast their scrims. This bold move, introduced as a temporary policy by commissioner Mark Zimmerman, aims to engage fans and provide valuable insights into professional play.
However, if history is any indicator, simply streaming scrims isn’t enough to maintain long-term interest. To succeed, the LTA must avoid the pitfalls that led to the downfall of Champions Queue and ensure sustained, high-quality content.
The Rise and Fall of Champions Queue: A Warning for LTA
Champions Queue was once seen as North America’s solution to its struggling competitive ecosystem. The mode initially gained traction, especially during Worlds 2022, when top-tier players from across the globe participated.
However, its popularity dwindled due to inconsistent participation, restricted invitations, and a lack of compelling engagement. By 2023, the system faded into obscurity with little acknowledgment from the scene.
If the LTA wants broadcasted scrims to thrive, it must learn from Champions Queue’s failures. Teams need to create engaging content, maintain consistency, and ensure the format remains relevant over time.
Why Broadcasted Scrims Can Work—If Done Right
The debut of streamed scrims showed promising signs. FlyQuest and Cloud9 became the first tier-one teams in years to publicly showcase their practice games, drawing 50,000 viewers, according to FlyQuest’s PapaSmithy. But to sustain this success, teams must go beyond simply streaming matches—they need to offer content that keeps fans invested.
Key Strategies for Success:
- Exclusive Content Beyond Gameplay
- FlyQuest set a great example by providing live comms during picks and bans and sharing full team discussions after each game. This behind-the-scenes access gives aspiring players and casual fans a rare glimpse into pro-level strategy.
- Coach Reviews and In-Depth Analysis
- C9’s approach involved detailed coach reviews between games, giving viewers a deeper understanding of how a top-tier team evaluates its performance. This type of educational content adds immense value to the broadcasts.
- Consistent Content Production
- FlyQuest capitalized on their scrim stream by quickly uploading post-match highlights to YouTube, with more short-form content on the way. Regular updates ensure fan engagement doesn’t drop off, preventing a repeat of Champions Queue’s decline.
- Encouraging More Teams to Participate
- If only a handful of teams commit to streaming scrims, interest will wane. The LTA must encourage more organizations to follow suit and diversify content formats.
The Future of Scrim Streaming in NA LoL
Broadcasted scrims have the potential to transform North America’s competitive scene by fostering transparency, engagement, and education. However, history has shown that simply opening the doors isn’t enough—teams must actively maintain interest through consistent and valuable content.
If done right, this initiative could mark a turning point for NA’s competitive League of Legends landscape, but only if lessons from Champions Queue’s failure are truly learned.
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