The EMEA Summer Split format is getting a rework

Ahead of the EMEA Masters Summer Split, Riot has announced some format changes that aim to improve the season for both competitors and viewers.

The recent Spring Split consisted of four rounds, with teams in groups of four first trying to play in and then getting knocked out before playoffs. Part of the reason for the packed format was the timeline, which gave just two weeks for 28 teams to compete. After a lot of feedback, Riot has nixed both the play-ins and the standard group stage.

To give some perspective, if this format was applied to Worlds, the Worlds group stage would consist of the 4 major region winners + 9 winners of wildcard regions and 3 teams from play-ins

However, play-ins would be increased to more teams with many teams from the best regions…

— LEC Wooloo (@LEC_Wooloo) March 6, 2024

With an astounding 60 teams competing, here’s how viewers can expect the EMEA Summer Split format to play out.

The EMEA Summer Split will have three stages with regional slots

The 2024 EMEA Summer Split format introduces the last chance qualifier and swiss stage phases in the lead up to the playoffs.

Out of 60 teams, 32 play first in the LCQ phase. Four groups of eight will play until one team in each bracket is left standing. The first two rounds consist of best-of-three matches, while the third is a best-of-five. Ideally, the new LCQ phase allows for more competition and chances to prove a team’s skill.

The four winners from the LCQ will join the other twenty-eight teams for the Swiss Stage. Newly added to the Summer Split format, the Swiss Stage eliminates any teams that lose four matches. Any team that doesn’t during one-on-ones has a chance at the qualifying rounds, which have best-of-three style matches.

In an attempt to make things fairer, Riot has allotted spots for both accredited and non-accredited ERLs. Accredited teams gain six spots, three for the LCQ and three for the Swiss Stage. In comparison, Riot is giving four spots to each non-accredited ERL team, though the number of teams depends on prior performances.

The EMEA Summer Split playoffs contains the top sixteen teams and is seeded according to performance. Each team participates in a single-elimination, best-of-five bracket until only one remains.

When is the EMEA Summer Split start date?

The EMEA Summer Split start date is July 31. It will run until August 30 with the three phases spread out in that timeframe.

The new EMEA Summer Split format has three days for the LCQ, eight for the swiss stage, and eight for the playoffs. All of the games will be held in Munich. Other Riot League tournaments have been changing around formatting as well, which has caused controversy among players and spectators. Fans can tune in starting July 31 on Twitch to see just how the new EMEA Summer Split format works.