Riot Games has confirmed that the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) will remain in the Riot Games Arena in Berlin for the 2027 season.
Rumours claimed that the LEC would move to online play next year due to budget cuts after former G2 esports support Kim ‘Wadid’ Bae-in shared the gossip on his livestream.
However, in a statement issued to The Esports Radar, the Director of League of Legends Esports EMEA, Max Schmidt, denied any rumours that the LEC would be moving out of Berlin and the Riot Games Arena which is shared with VCT EMEA.
However, Schmidt did admit that the publisher is exploring the possibility of “limited online play” for the next season of the LEC.
Official Riot Statement on LEC Moving Online Rumours
The official statement from Schmidt reads:
“We’ve seen speculation about the future of the LEC and want to clarify that the LEC will continue to be played primarily at the Riot Games Arena in Berlin in 2027.
“We will continue to evaluate and evolve our production approach, including formats like Roadtrips, select no-audience match days, and the potential for limited online play, to focus our efforts on the parts of the experience that matter most to fans.”
Currently, Riot Games only hosts one arena show for the LEC each year and that’s the Summer Split finals, aka the Season Finals.
Instead, the publisher has allowed partner LEC teams to host their own arena shows, known as Roadtrips. However, so far only Movistar KOI and Karmine Corp have taken this opportunity and hosted events in Spain and France.
Rumours claimed that moving the LEC to online matches would save money and allow for more arena shows.
While the LEC isn’t leaving its physical home, it seems Riot is openly reconsidering the league’s current financial model.
Would you prefer the LEC move online if it meant more Roadtrips? Let us know your thoughts and ideas on the Insider Gaming Discord.
In less bright news for the LEC, G2 Esports were stomped 3-0 by BLG at First Stand and now face possible elimination.
