LCS 2020: Schedule, Format, Roster Changes

Format

As usual, the competition is divided into two splits. The Spring Split will be followed by the Mid-Season Invitational while the Summer Split acts as a lead-up to the 2020 World Championship.

The regular season remains the same. 10 teams will face each other in best-of-1 matches. They will do so twice, bringing a total of regular-season games per team to 18. As the LCS moved to the franchising model in 2018, no team risks relegation after a poor performance.

LCS Spring Split 2020 Playoffs format and bracket — LCS Spring Split 2020 Playoffs Format | **Source: LoL Esports**

The playoffs format has been revamped. In Spring, six teams will battle it out for the championship and the MSI spot. Unlike in previous years, there will be a loser’s bracket: a team is now out of contention after losing two best-of-5 series, not one. As Spring no longer impacts the Worlds qualification, the Summer Split playoffs will feature 8 teams from the regular season. The three best squads will represent North America at the anniversary World Championship.

LCS Summer Split 2020 Playoffs format and bracket — LCS Summer Split 2020 Playoffs Format | **Source: LoL Esports**

LCS Schedule

Currently, an LCS split is scheduled to conclude within about 13 weeks. 9 weeks are allocated to the regular season matches while another 4 are reserved for the playoffs. It is unclear whether there will be a break between the two stages; no specific information has been given for 2020, and previous seasons operated on varying schedules.

On a separate note, the match days were altered as well. Saturday and Sunday will see four games each, while the Monday broadcast will feature two high-profile matches. Riot promise to provide some primetime exposure to all teams but flex scheduling for the second half of the Spring Split may affect that.

LCS Spring Split 2020 Matchdays & Schedule | **Source: LoL Esports**

LCS Roster Changes

Read on here about all the Roster Changes!

All teams in the LCS have opted for a roster change (or four). Also, Evil Geniuses bought out Echo Fox’s spot in the league and shopped around North America and Europe for their brand new squad. Clutch Gaming rebranded to Dignitas, and the Immortals brand rejoined the LCS after the transition period from OpTic Gaming purchase.