League of Legends announces changes to tier-two EMEA esports ecosystem

League of Legends game developer Riot Games has announced a number of changes to its EMEA Regional Leagues (ERLs) for 2025.

The changes are focused on relaxing some of the more rigid ERL rules, such as co-streaming, in-person events and mandatory second divisions.

The ERLs are the backbone of the League of Legends ecosystem and are generally considered the second tier of League of Legends in EMEA. There are 13 ERLs in total and the winners of these leagues earn spots at the EMEA Masters tournament. However, with the viewership of the EMEA Masters facing a downward trend, Riot Games has decided to relax several rules to “help create a more sustainable ecosystem,” according to a release.

First up, and probably the biggest change announced, is more flexibility in terms of tournament organisers and their events and formats. While Riot Games is keeping a structured split format in 2025, the company said that it aims to give tournament organisers more freedom to create splits that are better suited for their communities.

Co-streaming and broadcasts are also going to be changed, with more relaxed rules. This will, for example, allow teams to co-stream all of their games and even allow for player-view streams if they so desire. The relaxation of these rules aims to facilitate better viewership for the ERLs.

ERLs are also no longer obligated to have a second division, but a promotion and relegation tournament will still have to happen at least once per season. This, according to Riot Games, will still provide teams and players with a guaranteed opportunity to fight for promotion.

Riot Games has also said that teams will no longer be required to have a substitute player, and teams will be able to sign an ’emergency substitution’ player if needed during a tournament. Teams will also be able to participate in third-party competitions if their ERL tournament organiser agrees, but further details were not shared.

There will also no longer be mandatory in-person events, easing the burden of production and making it easier to host ERLs without worrying about having to host a LAN event every split. This will reduce operating costs for ERLs.

The changes to Riot Games’ ERL system follow a myriad of updates the company has made to its esports ecosystem. This has included format changes to League of Legends’ LEC and LCK as well as the introduction of its new Americas league, the LTA.