League of Legends Championship of The Americas: Format, Competitors, and Season Insights

The League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA) is a new professional league that unites teams from North and South America. Riot Games created this league to popularize League of Legends in the region and increase the level of competition. The league was announced on October 31, 2024, and its first tournament is set to begin on January 25, 2025.

How the League is Structured

The LTA is divided into two conferences, each consisting of 8 teams. Each conference represents a distinct group of participants who compete against one another within their divisions throughout the entire season.

LTA North (Northern Conference):

Based in Los Angeles, it includes six former LCS teams, one team from Latin America, and one guest team:

• Cloud9 (C9)
• Dignitas (DIG)
• FlyQuest (FLY)
• Lyon Gaming (LYN)
• Shopify Rebellion (SR)
• Team Liquid (TL)
• 100 Thieves (100T) — temporary guest team
• Disguised (DSG) — guest team

LTA South (Southern Conference):

Based in São Paulo, it includes six former CBLOL teams, one team from Latin America, and one guest team:

• Fluxo (CBLOL)
• FURIA (CBLOL)
• RED Canids (CBLOL)
• LOUD (CBLOL)
• paiN Gaming (CBLOL)
• Vivo Keyd Stars (CBLOL)
• Leviatán (LLA)
• Isurus (LLA) — guest team

Scheduled Tournaments

In 2025, the following tournaments are planned within the League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA):

• LTA 2025 Split 1:The first split will run from January 1, 2025, to February 1, 2025, and will involve teams from both LTA North and LTA South. These two conferences will compete in parallel, with each region hosting its own tournament. The format for both regions will be a double-elimination bracket with best-of-three matches, ensuring a high level of competition and excitement across the board. This simultaneous structure allows fans to follow the action in both conferences as teams battle for the top spots in their respective regions.
• LTA 2025 Cross-Conference:The Cross-conference tournament will take place on March 1, 2025, in São Paulo. Eight teams (the top four from each conference) will compete for the championship title.
• LTA 2025 Split 2:The second split is scheduled from May 1 to June 1, 2025. Teams will play in a double round-robin format with best-of-one matches, followed by playoffs for the top-performing teams.
• LTA 2025 Regional Finals:The regional finals will be held on September 1, 2025, in North America. Six teams will compete for the regional champion title and the chance to represent their region in international tournaments.

These tournaments are designed to identify the strongest teams in the region and give them the opportunity to perform on the international stage.

Key Highlights of the League

Teams have the unique opportunity to recruit one player from any region within the Americas, who will be considered a local resident. This rule allows teams to bring together talent from across the continent, creating stronger and more diverse rosters. It also enables teams to enhance their lineups by adding promising players from other regions while maintaining fairness for all participants.

Split winners earn the chance to represent their region in prestigious international tournaments. Among them is First Stand, where teams make their debut on the global stage and introduce themselves to audiences worldwide.

Later in the season comes the Mid-Season Invitational, where teams from different regions compete for the title of the best. This tournament brings together top participants, making it one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Finally, there is the World Championship, the main event of the year, where the best team of the season is crowned. This tournament is the culmination of all participants’ efforts, bringing fans and professionals together for a grand finale.

Conclusion: Why Did Riot Games Create This League?

The League of Legends Championship of The Americas (LTA) was created to foster the growth of esports in the Americas. Riot Games aims to strengthen regional competitions, give teams the opportunity to face the strongest opponents from other regions, and deliver engaging, intense matches for fans year-round. The new format is designed to unite regions and make tournaments more exciting and captivating for both players and viewers.

The LTA will feature 16 teams divided into two conferences: LTA North, based in Los Angeles, and LTA South, based in São Paulo. Each conference will consist of eight teams, including the strongest representatives of their regions and several guest teams. This structure is designed to create a balanced and competitive environment, offering fans the chance to enjoy high-level matches throughout the entire season.