Riot Games has updated the EMEA Masters Spring 2026 format and slots distribution after backlash from the community.
Due to time constraints, the tournament will last for just eight days with a streamlined format.
Rushing appears to be the theme of this split, as the delayed NLC Spring Split will only last for two weeks.
However, Riot has now expanded EMEA Masters Spring to feature an additional eight teams, 28 in total, and updated the Play-Ins format for a more balanced event.
Originally, the stripped-back event only gave each EMEA Regional League (ERL) two seeds maximum rather than the usual three.
While there was only one slot for each of the NLC (UK, Ireland, and Nordics), LPLOL (Portugal), EBL (Balkans), Road Of Legends (Benelux), Hitpoint Masters (Czech Republic and Slovakia), and Rift Legends (Poland and Baltics).
Plus, every solo representative of an ERL, other than Rift Legends, would have to qualify through a single-elimination Play-In.
Riot Games’ EMEA Masters Statement
Riot has now responded to the criticism by opening the event to 28 teams in total.
The official statement read:
“We’ve taken additional time to review the format and slot distribution alongside internal discussions and community feedback, particularly around ERL representation.”
Riot then said it wasn’t possible to extend the event’s duration to the competitive calendar, but has tried to provide “better balance within the existing structure.”
The event will now see France’s LFL and the Prime League (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) send three representatives, while the other ERLs will all be given two slots with the following distributions:
- Main event:
- LFL (France)
- #1 and #2
- Prime League (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)
- #1 and #2
- LES (Spain)
- #1 and #2
- TCL (Turkey)
- #1 and #2
- Arabian League (Middle East and North Africa)
- #1
- HLL (Greece and Cyprus)
- #1
- LIT (Italy)
- #1
- Rift Legends (Poland and Baltics)
- #1
- LFL (France)
- Play-Ins:
- LFL (France)
- #3
- Prime League (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)
- #3
- Arabian League (Middle East and North Africa)
- #2
- LIT (Italy)
- #2
- Rift Legends (Poland and Baltics)
- #2
- HLL (Greece and Cyprus)
- #2
- Hitpoint Masters (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
- #1 and #2
- Road Of Legends (Benelux)
- #1 and #2
- EBL (Balkans)
- #1 and #2
- LPLOL (Portugal)
- #1 and #2
- NLC (UK, Ireland, and Nordics)
- #1 and #2
- LFL (France)
The Play-Ins have also been expanded to last across two days, with five rounds of best-of-ones on Day 1 to decide which eight of the 16 teams advance to a Swiss Stage on Day 2 to compete in a best-of-three to try and qualify for the Group Stage.
This means that every qualified team will get to play multiple matches at the event.
Previously, the Play-Ins were only going to last for one day and would feature a single best-of-three for each of the eight teams to decide who would advance to the main event.
What do you make of this updated EMEA Masters format? Let us know on the Insider Gaming Discord.
And in other ERL news, see the new NLC broadcast lineup after a turbulent year for the league.
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