The European Championship of League of Legends is shaking things up with a new format for the group stages in the upcoming Summer Split, intensifying the competition for qualifying spots at Worlds 2025 later this year.
The LEC 2025 has transitioned to best-of-three matches for the Spring Split and will unveil an innovative group stage starting on August 2, 2025, where ten teams will be split into two separate groups for the Summer Split.
Each League team will compete in a best-of-three series against the other four teams in their respective groups. After all matches are played, the top two teams from each group will progress automatically to the playoffs, while the teams finishing in third and fourth place will compete in cross-group best-of-five matches to secure the remaining playoff spots.
Once the six leading teams are established, they will enter a double-elimination bracket. Teams in the upper bracket will have a safety net with a second chance, while those in the lower bracket will face elimination and must ensure every match counts.
The playoff rounds will take place in Madrid, culminating in the Summer Split finals held from September 26 to 28, 2025, after a one-week break.
This year, the LEC has announced that there will be no Season Finals, meaning the only path to Worlds for the EMEA teams will be determined during the Summer Split. With three spots available, the stakes have never been higher, urging teams to set aside past performances and concentrate on the upcoming tournament.
Movistar KOI, the current champions from the Spring Split, won’t benefit from any championship points towards Worlds qualification, so all teams will start from scratch, each with an equal chance of qualifying for the year’s premier League event.
In addition to the returning teams, NAVI will make its debut on the LEC stage in the Summer Split. Tickets for the LEC Summer Split 2025 will be available for the first three weeks at Berlin’s Riot Games Arena starting from July 15, 2025. After the initial three weeks, tickets will be released for purchase every Tuesday at 5 PM BST.
