LEC Rookie of the Year criteria changes for 2025 awards – who is the fan favourite to win?

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 24/09/2025

Riot Games has updated the criteria for their LEC Rookie of the Year award in 2025. 

How do these changes affect who can win, and which players are most likely to receive the prestigious award?

What is the Rookie of the Year award?

The LEC Rookie of the Year award recognises the best performance from a new professional League of Legends player in the European Region. Players standing for the award must be active players.

Although the LEC is not considered to be the strongest region, it has produced some incredibly strong talent. Most recently, former LEC-turned-LPL pro, Zhao ‘Shad0w’ Zhiqiang, became the first European LPL champion. 

In 2024, the LEC Rookie of the Year title was awarded to GiantX player, Adam ‘Jackies’ Jeřábek. 

Rising through the EMEA Regional Leagues (ERL) to join GiantX as their mid laner, Jackies earned immense respect for skill that seemed to advance beyond the then-struggling roster.  

What is the LEC Rookie of the Year criteria?

Riot Games has made some clarifications ahead of the LEC Rookie of the Year award. The state that their criteria update is a move closer towards “ensuring the award reflects the best rookie performance across a full competitive year.” 

The official eligibility criteria from 2025 onwards are as follows:

• Eligible players must “be active in the LEC at the time of the vote.” This means they cannot be benched or looking for a team (LFT).
• Players must have also participated in at least two of the three splits in the year.
• To be eligible, players must have played in at least 50% of their scheduled games in these splits.
• Players are not eligible if they have already participated in either the LEC Rookie of the Year vote or a Rookie of the Year vote in any other region.
• Additionally, players are not eligible if they have completed in over four LEC splits. They are then no longer considered to be a “Rookie.”

This means that players who joined the LEC during the Summer Split and did not compete in any 2025 season matches prior to this are not eligible. 

Riot Games has clarified that if a player is ineligible due to joining during the LEC Summer Split, they will be eligible for the 2026 LEC Rookie of the Year award instead. 

Who is most likely to win the award in 2025?

There are several eligible players for the 2025 LEC Rookie of the Year award. However, three players have already emerged as frontrunners. 

The first and most popular nomination for 2025 LEC Rookie of the Year is Caliste ‘Caliste’ Henry-Hennebert, the bot laner for Karmine Corp. 

At just 18 years of age, Caliste has been praised as a new European League of Legends prodigy. He began competing in the French Tier 3 division in 2021, honing his skills and building a reputation for an aggressive playstyle. 

Riot Games’ decision to set the minimum entry for the LEC at 18 initially held Caliste back from competing at the highest level. However, K-Corp had such faith in the young player that they signed him to a 3-year contract anyway.

As soon as he was eligible, he joined the LEC at the start of 2025. 

His skill has even caught the eye of League of Legends icon, Martin ‘Rekkles’ Larsson, who described him as a “sharp player.” Rekkles also stated that Caliste has an innate quality that makes it easier to improve from the start.

Although Caliste is a clear frontrunner, Rudy ‘SkewMond’ Semaan and Kaan ‘Naak Nako’ Okan have also been raised as contenders.

SkewMond currently plays for G2 Esports as their jungler. He has made significant strides forward after G2’s MSI performance, winning against both Fnatic and Team BDS in the LEC Summer Season.  

Naak Nako is Team Vitality’s top laner. Despite Team Vitality’s poorer performance in the LEC, Naak Nako has pulled off impressive plays throughout 2025. 

Many fans are already convinced that Caliste is the LEC Rookie of the Year. However, the LEC season is not over yet. 

Regardless, the frontrunner will hope his fans’ dreams come to fruition.

Hannah Marie ZT, Senior Editor

Hannah is a journalist specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports, Apex Legends, and advocating for women's esports initiatives. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ALGS LANs, ESI London, EGX, and watch parties.

All Posts By Hannah Marie ZT