Riot Games has officially announced that League of Legends (LoL) eSports teams and Teamfight Tactics (TFT) professionals will be part of the upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC) 2024. This marks a significant moment for the community, as it brings together LoL and TFT with other esports titles in a global competition. Riot has clarified, however, that the EWC will not be an official LoL Esports event, meaning Riot will not have a hand in its production or the selection of participating teams.
League of Legends & TFT Join the Esports World Cup
In an effort to address potential concerns from the community regarding the inclusion of these titles in an international esports event in Saudi Arabia, Riot Games outlined its intentions through an official blog. The decision to participate was made after thorough consideration, aimed at enhancing the global player experience.
Riot acknowledges the current economic challenges faced by many esports organizations and players, emphasizing the EWC as a crucial economic and brand-building opportunity that it did not wish to deny to its community.
Expanding Support in the MENA Region
Riot also announced upcoming Arabic localization for League of Legends, alongside the launch of new servers in the Middle East in 2024. This expansion signifies Riot's commitment to improving the gaming experience for players in the MENA region, who have long awaited a localized version of the game.
While Riot understands that not all fans may be interested in watching the Esports World Cup, it underscores the potential positive impact of the event on esports teams, professional players, and the broader community.
Assessing the Impact of Third-Party Tournaments
Riot aims to use its participation in the EWC as a means to gauge global fan reception to third-party tournaments. Citing significant events like the Asian Games and Red Bull League of Its Own as examples of impactful moments for the esports community in 2023, Riot intends to evaluate the overall tournament experience, the benefits to professional teams, and the value of the EWC to players worldwide.
This announcement follows a report by journalist Jacob Wolf in January 2024, which revealed Riot Games' discussions with the Esports World Cup 2024 organizers. According to the report, Riot Games plans to allow two teams each from the League Championship Series (LCS), the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC), the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), and the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) to participate in the event.
Riot Games' involvement in the Esports World Cup 2024 represents a strategic move to foster global esports growth while providing valuable opportunities for players and teams amidst the evolving economic landscape of the industry.
