Riot restructuring LCP for 2027 with domestic league pathways for VCS, LJL and PCS

Riot Games is restructuring the League of Legends Championship Pacific starting in 2027, creating domestic pathways for teams across the APAC region instead of requiring mandatory relocation to Taipei.

Under the new format, teams will compete in their home regions within Vietnam's VCS, Japan's LJL, and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macao's PCS. The best teams from each domestic league will then qualify for the LCP to compete for spots at international tournaments, including Worlds. Wildcard teams will also return with opportunities to qualify.

Riot acknowledged that the previous structure was problematic. The company stated that mandatory relocation was "costly" for teams and "limits opportunities for them to engage directly with their local fan bases and build stronger connections."

The change represents a significant shift in competitive structure. Previously, domestic teams had only one chance to qualify through the Promotion Series, meaning just one or two teams per league could advance. With 2027's format, all domestic teams will be able to qualify for the LCP each split, creating broader financial incentives.

Teams that qualify for global tournaments will receive a share of Riot's Global Revenue Pool, which is funded by sales of digital content tied to League of Legends esports such as skins, emotes, and event bundles. The LCP Arena will remain operational throughout 2027.

Riot stated it will share additional details about slot distribution and formats for Wildcard regions in the coming months.