LEC to scrap controversial Summer Split format

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 29/08/2025

LEC Commissioner Artem Bykov has announced on X that the LEC Summer Split format will not be returning for 2026.

The format has been the source of several debates regarding the lack of games. The format features two five-team round-robin groups, meaning teams only play four Best-of-Three series during the regular season.

Bykov explained that the decision had been made following feedback from fans, stating, “I’ve been following the feedback about the Summer Split format and schedule, and I want to be upfront about it. Summer Split format didn’t land the way we hoped, and we won’t bring it back next year.”

Then adding that the LEC are “looking for ways to increase the number of competition days across the whole year in 2026.”

LEC Commissioner’s statement on Summer Split format

Bykov explained that the format was brought about due to a combination of fan distaste for Best-of-Ones and tight scheduling considerations.

“A big piece of feedback we heard from you was that Bo1s weren’t fun to watch anymore. So when we designed the Summer Split, avoiding Bo1s was a priority for us while working within a tight calendar window between MSI/EWC and the Madrid Finals.”

The LEC commissioner added that constraints regarding the arena also limited their options, stating, “The schedule also didn’t help. Monday and Tuesday weren’t fun for anyone, and while only 4 out of 23 LEC weeks this year are impacted by the VCT overlap, the few weeks in summer made the split feel off so far.” The LEC is played in Riot’s studio in Berlin, which is also the venue of VCT EMEA. As Stage 2 of VCT EMEA overlaps with LEC Summer, the tournaments impacted each other’s scheduling.

“The good news is we’ve learned a lot from both Spring and Summer, and we’re already working on 2026 with a structure that addresses your feedback. I’m excited about what’s coming, and we’ll share details in the weeks following the Summer Split.”

It is unclear what changes are being considered or what is possible for next year, considering the competitive schedule.

Bykov invited questions in replies, where fans voiced feedback such as the desire for consistent formats across splits, double-elimination formats, with some suggesting an LCK-style regular season would be beneficial.

In reply to a suggestion of using a Best-of-Two format, Bykov stated that Bo2s were “not something we’re considering” for 2026, citing fan dissatisfaction with 1-1 draws. However, he did suggest a tiebreaker as a potential solution.

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.

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