New LoL EMEA Masters format for 2025 just dropped

On Thursday, Riot Games announced a new format for the EMEA Masters in 2025. Once again, this will be an evolving format that will change from one split to the next. The intention seems clear: to align Tier 2 once again with Tier 1 in many aspects, while at the same time trying out some unique and innovative ways of structuring the competition.

This news comes just after the national leagues have, for the most part, already started. But also after the changes to the ecosystem, with each league now more independent in its distribution and format.

LoL Esports Tiers Get Closer Than Ever

The most important news, once again demonstrating Riot’s desire to bring Tier 1 and Tier 2 closer together, is that the EMEA Masters will have three editions this year for the first time. I feel like this move was quite necessary, given that there’s no point in having most of the competitions in the world played within three splits while EMEA Tier 2 only had two for some reason.

ERLs are the biggest proving grounds for EMEA talent, and it would be pointless not to shape them in the best possible way for the next chapter of their careers. Same as Major international LoL events this year, the EMEA Masters will evolve and grow in size as the season progresses, with the Winter edition featuring Fearless Draft.

Both Winter and Spring EMEA Masters will now feature GLS Group Stage, which is unprecedented in LoL esports. This format has originally been democratised by another game in 2011: Starcraft II. But more importantly… No Best-Of 1 (BO1) for both editions since every group matches will be played in BO3. This is the most important part in my opinion because I simply hate BO1s. I think they’re quite irrelevant of teams’ strengths… I’m very excited about these changes, because they will also put the spotlight on the best staffs, as well as the teams with the best ideas in draft – especially in Winter with Fearless.

The Summer edition will most likely look like Worlds format, with the LCQ – the equivalent of Play-Ins – and a Swiss Stage before the BO5 phase.

For Winter, 16 teams will be participating with the champions and runners-up of LFL, Superliga and Prime League while every other ERL will only send their champion. This number will be doubled for Spring, with the podium of LFL, SL, PRM, TCL, LoL Italian Tournament and Arabian League participating, while all the others will send their top 2. And finally for Summer, 44 teams will attend.

This entire ecosystem layout in EMEA should make it easier for aspiring talent to get accustomed to Tier 1 leagues like the LEC where most players would naturally gravitate toward advancing into. Additionally, the sheer scale of the Masters scene and the natural cross-national element to it may even push viewership to rival the LEC this season, thanks to Los Ratones among others.