Founded in 2013, the
League of Legends Championship Series, most commonly shortened as LCS and previously known as the NA LCS, stands as one of the premier esports events in North America. With over a decade of history, it remains a main pillar of the game's esports circuit and continues to set global standards for competitive gaming.
The Riot Games Arena
The LCS are being played at the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles. It serves as a key venue for Riot Games' esports events, doubling as the host site for VALORANT's VCT Americas. The arena has a seating capacity of around 300 people. It has been in use since 2013, serving as the primary venue for LCS broadcasts.
The Riot Games Arena has been upgraded in January 2023 to easily switch between different esports events by quickly adjusting stage layouts, visuals, and equipment. The Arena is able to move from one game's setting to another within two hours and also contains dedicated booths for multilingual broadcasts and co-streamers to fit in the Arena. This Arena is very flexible and also prepares the Arena for potential future expansions.
The Riot Games Arena contains immense wide screens to display real-time in-game information and immersive animations. Credit: Marv Watson/Riot Games.
Roadshows
Riot Games has organized several roadshows in the LCS, where they take key matches and events to different cities across North America, allowing fans from various regions to experience the excitement of the competition. These roadshows typically feature playoff games or finals, bringing the action to larger arenas outside of the usual studio setting. This not only expands the reach of the LCS but also creates unique, localized fan experiences, with events like fan meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise, and other activities tailored to the host city's community.
These roadshows have been crucial in growing the LCS's popularity and fan engagement. By moving events to cities like New York (Madison Square Garden in 2015), Chicago (United Center in 2022), and Detroit (Little Caesars Arena in 2019), Riot Games taps into regional fanbases, increasing accessibility for those who may not be able to travel to Los Angeles, where the LCS is usually held. These events also help to showcase the scale and professionalism of esports, drawing in larger crowds and media attention, and solidifying the LCS's status as a premier competitive gaming league.
The 2023 LCS Summer Playoffs concluded at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Credit: Robert Paul/Riot Games.
All LCS games are usually broadcasted on their dedicated livestream on
Twitch and
Youtube.
Header Photo Credit: Marv Watson/Riot Games
