Riot Games will reportedly be sending League of Legends teams from its top four domestic leagues to the Saudi Arabian-backed Esports World Cup.
Riot reportedly softens on Saudi association with Esports World Cup
Now, according toa report from Jacob Wolf, Riot Games is working out details to send some LoL teams from various regions to the Esports World Cup.
According to the report, Riot will allow two teams from its top leagues, the LEC, LCS, LPL and LCK, to compete in the event. However, how they will be chosen has not been disclosed.
Riot’s League of Legends head of global strategy, Chris Greeley, also asked each league to stop any activities planned during the first week of July to make room for the Esports World Cup, the report said.
If Riot follows through with the event, it will be the first international tournament not run by the developer featuring teams in its leagues in years.
The Guardianhas described the country’s Public Investment Fund’s getting involved with esports on top of its previous investment in professional Golf and WWE as an “ambitious sportswashing strategy, expanding its scope of influence to not only include traditional sports and entertainment but digital space and its endless potential, as well.”
Riot Games has yet to respond to the report or confirm if League of Legends will be played at the Esports World Cup.
Declan McLaughlin was a Gaming & Esports Writer on Dexerto’s US team, specializing in Valorant and League of Legends. He has bylines at Upcomer and Inven Global.
