LTA North Split 1: A New Era in League of Legends Esports

Introduction to LTA North

In 2024, Riot Games revolutionized the League of Legends esports scene by merging the LCS and CBLOL tournaments into a unified competition: the League of Legends Championship of the Americas (LTA). This new format aims to elevate competition across the Americas, offering fans a dynamic and unified experience. The LTA is divided into two main regions: LTA North and LTA South.

LTA North: Teams and Structure

LTA North features eight teams, including six LCS partners, one LLA partner, and one guest team. Here are the teams participating in the inaugural LTA North Split 1:

• 100 Thieves
• Cloud9
• Dignitas
• FlyQuest
• Shopify Rebellion
• Team Liquid Honda
• Lyon Gaming (formed by a partnership between Rainbow7 and Six Karma)
• Disguised (the guest team)

Team Rosters and Coaches

Each team boasts a talented roster and experienced coaching staff. Here’s a brief look at some of the teams:

• 100 Thieves: Top Lane – Rayan “Sniper” Shoura, Jungle – Kim “River” Dong-woo, Mid Lane – Lim “Quid” Hyeon-seung, Bot Lane – Ian Victor “FBI” Huang, Support – Bill “Eyla” Nguyen.
• Cloud9: Top Lane – Park “Thanatos” Seung-gyu, Jungle – Robert “Blaber” Huang, Mid Lane – Lee “Loki” Sang-min, Bot Lane – Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen, Support – Philippe “VULCAN” Laflamme. Coaches include Bok “Reapered” Han-gyu and Nicholas “Inero” Smith.
• Disguised: Top Lane – Cho “Castle” Hyeon-seong, Jungle – Lawrence Lin “eXyu” Xu, Mid Lane – Felix “Abbedagge” Braun, Bot Lane – Jeremiah “ScaryJerry” Leathe, Support – Choi “huhi” Jae-hyun. Head Coach – Brandon “Mash” Phan.
• Shopify Rebellion: Top Lane – Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami, Jungle – Juan Arturo “Contractz” Garcia, Mid Lane – Cristian “Palafox” Palafox, Bot Lane – Ju “Bvoy” Yeong-hoon, Support – Denilson “Ceos” Oliveira Gonçalves. Head Coach – Seong “Reven” Sang-hyeon.

Format and Schedule

Competition Format

LTA North Split 1 will follow a double elimination bracket format. All matches will be best-of-three and played under Fearless Draft rules, meaning teams cannot pick any Champion they have already played. The top four teams from LTA North will advance to the playoffs, where they will compete against the top four teams from LTA South.

Key Dates

Here is a quick glance at the LTA North Split 1 schedule:

• Week 1:
  • Saturday, January 25 (Riot Games Arena)
  • Sunday, January 26 (Riot Games Arena)
• Week 2:
  • Saturday, February 1
  • Sunday, February 2
• Week 3:
  • Sunday, February 9 (Riot Games Arena)
• Additional Matches:
  • Saturday, February 15 (São Paulo, Brazil)
  • Sunday, February 16 (São Paulo, Brazil)
  • Saturday, February 22 (São Paulo, Brazil)

Venue and Broadcasting

All initial matches will be held at the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles, CA. The games will be broadcast on the official LTA North Twitch channel (previously the LCS channel) and the LTA North YouTube channel. For Spanish-speaking fans, there is a separate broadcast on the ltaespanol Twitch channel.

The Road to the Finals

The winning team of LTA North Split 1 will earn a spot in Riot Games’ new international LTA event. Here’s how the competition will unfold:

• Group Stage: Teams will compete in a double elimination bracket.
• Playoffs: The top four teams from LTA North will face off against the top four teams from LTA South.
• Finals: The victorious teams will compete in the final stage to determine the champion.

Impact on the Esports Scene

The introduction of LTA North marks a significant shift in the League of Legends esports landscape. By unifying the LCS and CBLOL regions, Riot Games aims to create a more competitive and engaging environment for both teams and fans. This new format promises to elevate the skill level and excitement of the games, as teams from different regions clash in intense matchups.

Fan Engagement and Viewing Options

Fans can watch the games live on the official LTA North Twitch and YouTube channels. For those attending in person, the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles will host the initial matches, providing an electric atmosphere for spectators. The later matches in São Paulo, Brazil, will also offer a unique opportunity for fans in South America to experience the competition live.

Conclusion

LTA North Split 1 is set to kick off an exciting new era in League of Legends esports. With its innovative format, talented teams, and global reach, this competition is poised to captivate fans and set new standards for competitive gaming. As the teams prepare to face off, the anticipation builds for what promises to be an unforgettable season.