Photo: LoL Esports
In Europe, we are used to operating with leagues at 10 on League of Legends. This format is used in LEC, LFL and Div 2. But China, with its XXL demography and its big means works with a league at 17 ! This does not explain everything, but we imagine that it pushes the competition upwards and that it makes it possible to have a very substantial pool of players.
But the LPL could take on an even more gargantuan dimension by further increasing its number of residents! We would end up with a league almost as big as the LEC and the LCS combined. It’s only one rumor for the moment, but when you look at the density of the Chinese scene, this expansion seems totally possible.
Where does this expansion rumor come from?
We came across this expansion rumor on Twitter. This would be from a Chinese streaming platform (Huya) which would present the LPL with… 19 teams! There would therefore be 2 more than currently. The reactions rocketed and many welcomed this desire to enlarge the stage. With more teams, there will be mathematically more players, more sponsors and surely more fans!
For the moment, the potential identity of the two “new” teams has not leaked. But if ever a large structure historical esport (EHOME, Team Aster) is pointing the tip of its nose or a group of influencers… It would be a real masterstroke! The Chinese league doesn’t really need that to shine and unleash passions, but why do less when you could do more?
An idea that could have an effect in LEC…
European League of Legends fans, especially French ones, will follow this development with interest. Not for LPL’s sake, but because in Europe an expansion is hoped for by many. The Karmine Corp Ultras are particularly keen on the issue, and would like to see their team land in the European elite. This is a real subject, and the Commissioner of the LEC has already raised the issue by indicating that in the long term, the expansion seemed inevitable… however, it remains to be seen how long we will have to wait.
Going from 10 to 12 teams would involve quite a few changes in terms of format and schedule. It would thus perhaps be necessary to pass in the regular season from Bo1 to Bo3. The playoffs will also have to be redesigned to perhaps extend the qualification to the top 8. In addition, there are obviously questions of order financial. While everyone has paid dearly for their place to join the franchise league, how much should the entry price be set in the event of an expansion… All this seems far away, but if the China the fact, why not Europe ?
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Misfits Gaming will soon bow out of the European League of Legends scene. The Rabbits sold their slot to Team Herectics. They should, however, manage to be remembered. But beware, before, other structures fell into oblivion.