Riot release details about VCT EMEA format for 2023

With the introduction of International leagues and a completely revamped competitive system, there was a looming uncertainty regarding the regional leagues that Riot developed especially for the vast EMEA system granting more opportunities for aspiring talent to demonstrate their skills. With the release of an elaborate blog post earlier today, Riot hopes to clarify all doubts and lay out the structure for all tournaments in the coming year.

VCT 2023 ecosystem will be divided into several layers starting from the new in-game competitive system: Premier. While still in alpha testing, this system will essentially allow players to build a team and compete across a season of pre-scheduled matches. Each season will last only a few weeks, and the better teams of the lot will be awarded a spot into the end-of-season tournament to battle for the title of Division Champion. The Premier system will be complemented with Riot’s local amateur circuits.

Above that is Challengers (formerly known as VRLs), which now includes even more countries and regions. Worthy performers at this stage will get to compete in the Ascension tournament for a shot at qualifying for VCT main events, where EMEA’s top 10 team will be taking part, each under an organization involved in Riot’s partner program.

VCT proceedings will commence with the LOCK//IN tournament in São Paulo with all 30 teams participating in a face-off against each other. Following the tournament, the VCT 2023 - EMEA League will kick off in March at the Messe Berlin Charlottenburg, where Riot has constructed a studio for fans to witness the intense matchups in-person all year round. Regular season matchups will be conducted using a single round robin format taking place over eight weeks, with match days on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, except for one super week featuring daily matchups.

Following the regular season, the top six teams will advance to the playoffs with a modified double elimination bracket to decide EMEA’s representatives at Masters. The LCQ will then follow in July, and Champions to crown the best team of the 2023 circuit in August. Alongside the LCQ, July will also see the Ascension Tournament take place, where the winners of each Challengers League will compete for a coveted spot in the International League in 2024.