LCP Format Affects VCS Teams, Prompting Riot to Speak Out
In 2025, most League of Legends tournaments have seen significant changes due to Riot merging the regions into 5 major areas. However, perhaps no region has a format that leaves many teams and audiences feeling as unreasonable as LCP. While all other tournaments adopt a BO5 format for the playoffs, LCP is the only region to use BO3. The BO5 format is only applied to the losers’ bracket, Round 4, and the grand finals.
Complaints from VCS teams indicate that the exclusive use of the BO3 format, combined with Fearless Draft, significantly limits the strategies of VCS teams. With a BO5 match, teams can leverage games 1, 2, and even 3 to gain an advantage and “remove” opponents’ champions. However, if the match is limited to a maximum of 3 games, the ability to “remove” champions is not feasible, leaving teams like GAM, TSW, and MVKE at a considerable disadvantage.
Recently, ChisinX – Riot’s representative for the APAC region stated that they are aware of the feedback regarding the LCP format. According to him, he and Riot will seriously consider making appropriate adjustments for the region in 2026.
VCS Community in Debate
However, the VCS audience has mixed opinions. Most agree that the LCP format is too “quirky” compared to the other 4 regions worldwide. Meanwhile, LCP has truly demonstrated its capability and stability. Aside from the overly dominant CFO, the strategic calculations of the remaining teams in each format significantly affect the final results. PSG was defeated by GAM in their playoff matchup earlier this year.
Nevertheless, there is a belief that VCS teams are too weak and that whether it’s BO3 or BO5 makes no difference. However, one undeniable fact is that the LCP format is too unfamiliar compared to the professional League of Legends scene, and clearly, this is not fair for any team in the region, regardless of their name.