The LTA Regional Championship has wrapped up its first round of the loser bracket, and it delivered its share of surprises. For the first time this year, a team from the Southern Conference has defeated a team from the North. On Sunday, RED Canids took down Shopify Rebellion 3-2. In the other series of the weekend, 100 Thieves dominated paiN Gaming with a clean 3-0. Both losing squads are now eliminated, ending their seasons.

This was only the second time this year that the South faced the North. Back in Winter, during the Cross-Conference, all four Northern Conference teams crushed their Southern counterparts, dropping just a single game across the board. Now, RED will face 100 Thieves in a best-of-five to claim the last LTA seed for Worlds.

More than a qualification spot

This clash between RED and 100 Thieves represents much more than a simple fight for Worlds. Since the creation of the league, the South has never managed to qualify two teams directly into the Main Event, even before the merger of all the leagues in America.

With Vivo Keyd Stars already locked in, RED now has the chance to break that barrier, not only securing their own place at Worlds but redefining their region’s legacy in the process. Their narrow but crucial victory against Shopify already proved that the South can hang with the North, and one more win would confirm an unprecedented breakthrough.

Defending a legacy

On the other side, 100 Thieves enter this series determined to preserve their honor and their momentum. Their sweep against paiN Gaming was a reminder of the North’s consistency and their own ability to deliver on the big stage. For them, this BO5 isn’t just about securing Worlds, it’s also about protecting the reputation of the North and ensuring the balance of power doesn’t tip.

Regardless of the outcome, history will be made. Either RED achieve a milestone never before seen in LTA and Worlds history, or 100 Thieves uphold the North’s supremacy and maintain the established order, while keeping their amazing last dance on League of Legends. What’s certain is that the Regional Championship has delivered exactly what Riot Games promised with the merger: intensity, drama, and a storyline with global impact heading into Worlds.