After years of regional competition across the LLA, CBLOL, and LCS leagues, Riot Games is taking a bold step by merging North and South American teams into the League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA).
This structural shift brings major changes to the competitive League of Legends landscape, as Riot hopes to elevate the level of play in the Americas and bring in fans from both regions under one roof. Here’s what you need to know about the revamped 2025 LTA format, the teams, and the structure of the season.
A Unified League Structure for North and South America
The League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA) marks a new era for LoL esports in the Americas. Inspired by the recent success of Riot’s VCT Americas in Valorant, the LTA combines former LCS, CBLOL, and LLA organizations into two conferences.
Each conference represents its region:
- LTA North – with former LCS partners, an LLA team, and a guest slot.
- LTA South – featuring CBLOL partners, an LLA team, and a guest team.
With eight teams in each conference, the LTA will bring together a total of 16 teams competing throughout the year in three unique splits.
Teams Competing in the 2025 LTA
LTA North Teams
- Cloud9
- Team Liquid
- FlyQuest
- Shopify Rebellion
- Dignitas
- 100 Thieves (Provisional)
- Lyon Gaming (LLA Partner)
- Disguised (Guest Team)
LTA South Teams
- Fluxo
- Furia
- LOUD
- paiN Gaming
- Red Canids
- Leviatán
- Vivo Keyd Stars (LLA Partner)
- Isurus (Guest Team)
The guest teams, Disguised and Isurus, will join under provisional terms, meaning they’ll defend their positions against challengers from regional leagues at season’s end to secure their slots for the following year.
Innovative Competition Structure: Three Splits, Three Formats
For the 2025 season, the LTA will use three unique split formats to challenge teams and keep competition exciting:
- Split 1 – Double Elimination Bo3: The season opens with a Fearless Mode double-elimination tournament within each conference. The top four teams from each bracket will converge in Brazil for a live, single-elimination Bo3 showdown. The finals will be a Bo5, with the winner securing a spot at the new international event.
- Split 2 – Round Robin Bo1: Split 2 will see teams competing in a double round-robin format within their conference. The top six teams from each region advance to a double-elimination playoff, where the conference champion wins a slot at the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI).
- Split 3 – Pick & Play Bo3: In a new twist called “Pick & Play,” each week, teams will select their next opponents live on stage. Split 2 standings determine initial matchups, and teams with lower rankings challenge those higher up.
Key LTA Features for the 2025 Season
The LTA format and rules include several features that add variety to the competition:
- Residency Flexibility: Teams can designate a player as their “local resident,” allowing flexibility in player nationality, with specific limits to prevent too many imports.
- Cross-Regional Tournament Locations: Events will rotate locations across the Americas, with 2025’s Split 1 Playoffs held in Brazil and the Americas Regional Championship in North America.
- Road to Worlds: The LTA will crown its champion through the Americas Regional Championship, featuring all teams except the top seeds who qualify directly for Worlds.
Conclusion: A New Era of League of Legends in the Americas
With a restructured format and a diverse lineup, the League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA) aims to revive competition and viewer interest in the Americas.
By encouraging international team building and offering a varied tournament structure, Riot is paving the way for stronger representation at Worlds and a more engaging season for fans.
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