Something “very exciting” planned for 2026 says LEC Commissioner prior to Winter Split drama

Riot Games is planning significant format changes for LEC 2026, scrapping the Winter Split in favour of a new 12-team Kickoff Tournament where two ERL squads will reportedly get the chance to compete directly against LEC teams, according to a Sheep Esports report. 

The outlet’s sources indicate that the tournament will include all ten regular LEC teams plus two guest ERL teams.

The regional leagues representatives will be the year’s best-performing EMEA Masters roster and the upcoming EMEA Masters Summer champions, with Los Ratones having already secured the first ERL slot for their performance this year. 

The now Kickoff winner would then qualify for The First Stand 2026, Riot’s first international event of the year, making it theoretically possible for an ERL squad to debut on the global stage.

However, any official announcement is still missing and the league’s competitive format details remain unclear. At present, only the return of the Spring and Summer Splits with the ten franchise teams appears to be confirmed.

Sheep Esports reported that teams competing in the EMEA Masters had not yet been formally informed of these changes, and it is unknown how Riot intends to handle situations involving academy squads of LEC teams – such as Karmine Corp Blue, Vitality.Bee, GIANTX Pride, or Los Heretics. 

The ten franchised LEC teams have each invested more than €30 million to secure their spot in the league — this reportedly includes newcomers like KC and NAVI — while ERL teams would neither need nor want to.

Yet, they would be granted the same opportunities as franchised teams, international spots and regional audience. In the community, some argue this dynamic risks undermining the investments made by established organisations to join the LEC.

For now, Riot’s silence leaves the discussion speculative.

While the Sheep Esports report stirred debate, Riot’s public-facing leadership has been more optimistic. Speaking with Esports Insider at the 2025 LEC Finals in Madrid — almost a week prior to Sheep Esports’ report — Commissioner Artem Bykov addressed both Fearless Draft and the broader direction of the league for 2026.

On Fearless Draft, Bykov said early sentiment has been “pretty good”, adding that both fans and players “appreciate the depth that the draft provides.” He noted that any final decision on whether it returns next year will involve close coordination with other regional leagues and Riot’s global esports team.

As for the LEC competitive format, Bykov hinted at structural changes without confirming specifics. “We are looking to increase the number of matches. We listened very closely to the feedback from the fans and the teams, and I think we have something very exciting planned for next year,” he said.

The LEC Commissioner acknowledged frustrations with constant changes in 2025 and suggested Riot is aiming for more stability going forward. Bykov also underlined the collaborative process behind the format decisions.

“Format is a very complex topic and it takes a village to work on this,” continued Bykov. “We are consulting very closely with the team staff of the pro teams. I just don’t want to push anybody under the bus (by talking about the format), I want to keep this moment special for when we release the news and we can celebrate it together.”

The report has already provoked strong reactions across the industry and community.
Founder and CEO of Karmine Corp, Kamel “Kameto” Kebir, said on his stream that all LEC organizations opposed the changes and that Riot’s initial plan was “much worse” than the current version. 

Many community members echoed concerns that giving ERL rosters a direct shot at the Kickoff Tournament could undermine the substantial investments made by franchised organizations, which have spent tens of millions to secure their spots, while ERL participants need to perform well to qualify.

Others raised more cautious points, noting that the current format could create complications in future seasons if ERL organizations like Los Ratones dominate or rules are adjusted to ensure their participation. 

At the same time, a large portion of the community welcomed the opportunity for ERL rosters to test themselves against LEC organizations.

Former LEC champion Luka “Perkz” Perković also voiced frustration, accusing Riot of prioritizing short-term revenue. “Riot does not care about esports nor its long-term profitability — they care about selling as many skins as possible that pro players and clubs advertise daily across the globe.”

However, not everyone in the scene was critical. Other community figures highlighted the upside of the format, calling it a long-awaited chance to answer “what if” questions about top ERL teams facing LEC competition.

Content creator Georgia “Troubleinc” Paras noted that fans have wanted this matchup for years, comparing it to the hype around KC Academy and now Los Ratones. Similarly, supporters of the alleged change argued that giving ERL orgs a shot could encourage investment in regional teams.

As it stands, Riot has not confirmed the changes reported by Sheep Esports, nor addressed the community’s criticisms. What is on the line is the LEC’s Winter Split current form and what could be the LEC’s most ambitious shift in years.