Is Riot planning a rule change for LCS player imports?

The LCS could soon open up to even more international player talent. The North American League of Legends league has often been accused of being made up of “super teams” with imported players from other, stronger regions. These super teams have big names on the roster, but they don’t always perform as you would expect from the lineup.

At the same time, if only imported players are allowed to play on the stage, the regional league will not be strengthened. This is seen as a major problem for the LCS, which cannot thrive if new, young talent from Academy teams isn’t given a chance. That’s why there were restrictions for players from other leagues. But now it has been leaked by a player that the LCS wants to lift some restrictions on imported players next year.

Three imported players allowed on the roster

According to Kim “Berserker” Min-cheol, the LCS is looking to lift some of its limits on imported players in 2024. The Cloud9 AD Carry and the LCS 2023 Spring MVP recently shared on his live Twitch stream that LCS is aiming to raise its cap on import players, allowing teams up to three import slots in their rosters in the future. The current cap for import slots on LCS rosters is two. 

Berserker said on the April 16 Twitch stream:

“Riot said next year three Koreans or three Chinese are allowed. I’m not sure about that, but I’ve heard about it.“

Berserker also associated the word “import” with the Korean word “용용,” which directly translates to “mercenary” or “hired soldier,” according to the auto- translation on his stream.

Coming to Cloud9 from the Korean league, Berserker and his teammate Jang “EMENES” Min-soois are both imported players themselves, who were instrumental in Cloud9’s success in the LCS finals earlier this month. 

More players from other leagues

NA’s league scene is known for looking for players in the international market more
than other leagues, as well as for being willing to pay big bucks for them. In LCS 2023, all 10 rosters featured at least one player from another region, out of which seven had two.

The rules regarding LCS import slots haven’t changed since 2020, when the league allowed players from Oceania to obtain residency in America. This caused an influx of talent coming to the NA scene — similar to what is likely to happen if Berserker’s claims prove to be true.  Riot hasn’t officially said anything about the changes yet.

Header: Riot Games