Big changes already hitting the LTA format in 2025

The LTA is set to change its format after what was considered by many fans to be a disappointing start to 2025.

When the LTA was announced in 2024, some League of Legends fans were cautiously optimistic. The regions under the LTA banner have historically struggled for a variety of reasons. Issues among some North American organizations have contributed to the region’s slow fall in popularity. Meanwhile, Brazil saw strong viewership but lacked in financials and results, while other Americas regions just struggled in general. In theory, combining the best of these regions could have given the overall group a boost.

100 Thieves vs Team Liquid Honda | 2025 LTA Split 1 Finals Tease

Instead, Split 1 of the LTA was met with disappointment. Though some teams did well, varied factors led to a historically low viewership for the new entity’s debut relative to the previous LCS and CBLoL. Notable among those factors were a short split overall and a small number of games being played. The LTA organizers have now officially acknowledged these problems with a new video, and are bringing some big changes for the remainder of 2025.

What changes are coming to the LTA after Split 1?

Split 1 will be reworked in future years, while Split 2 and Split 3 will see immediate changes in 2025.  he LTA North YouTube channel posted a video featuring Mark “MarkZ” Zimmerman. He details the various changes coming for the LTA format. The video starts with an acknowledgment of Split 1’s disappointing reception.

The only acknowledged change for Split 1 was that it would be “longer,” though how that will manifest remains to be seen. The video did detail changes for Split 2 and Split 3 in 2025.  Split 2 was initially designed as a “traditional” Spring Split with double round robin and a best-of-one format, before ending on a top-six playoff. However, that format presented compatibility issues with reintroducing the “Fearless” draft type globally.

LTA Format Changes

Fearless is a unique draft type meant to diversify champion picks. In game one, players will compete with a standard drafting. In game two, players from both teams are prohibited from picking champions used in the first game. This continues for each subsequent game in the series,  making for some unorthodox drafts as the series progresses.

The LTA felt seven weeks of Bo1s would not be an enjoyable experience for the players or the audience. Instead, Split 2 will now feature 3 weeks of Bo1s to seed for Bo3s in Phase 2.  During the second phase, the top four teams will play for playoff seeding, while the bottom teams compete in elimination matches.

For the Split 2 Playoffs, the top six will compete in B05s in the Fearless format. Split 3 will also follow Split 2’s format but with one notable change: all elimination matches are now B05s.  The LTA hopes these changes will help fans get invested in games, and keep players on their toes throughout the tournament.

What is the start date for LTA Split changes?

LTA Split 2 will begin on April 5, 2024. After a short break in March, the LTA will move forward with these discussed changes. To further assist in the scene’s growth, the LTA now has an additional boot camp between Splits in which LTA South teams will be brought to North America to scrimmage with their more successful LTA North counterparts.  Teams are also allowed to stream scrims with Tier 2 teams, so long as there are no scheduling conflicts.

Many fans praised the LTA for listening to feedback, but did express concern about its viewership. The community notes the LTA’s overlap with multiple LoL events meant even hardcore fans struggled to justify watching it along with other tournaments. If the LTA wants to grow, then these overlaps likely must be dealt with.