Is the schedule change risky for LCS?

With 2023 in full swing, we are approaching the start of the various LoL leagues worldwide. All fans and players have expectations higher than ever.

In the LCS, we have seen more and more fans supporting their favorite teams and players season after season. But, when Riot Games announced the various changes to the league schedule, many concerns were raised, including 100 Thieves superstar Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng.

Doublelift expresses its concern

Recall that Doublelift decided to come out of retirement to play with the famous North American organization 100 Thieves in the LCS 2023.

In a broadcast a few days ago, the 100 Thieves player expressed his concern about the change in the calendar of the 2023 LCS season and how this could affect the audience. This season the LCS matches will be played on Thursdays and Fridays at noon.

Doublelift said:

“How much percentage drop off could merit them to rethink the schedule? Doomsday is where the new schedule drops, and the LCS has half the viewership from before… Would that be enough for the LCS’ managerial staff to revert the change? Or is it one of those things where we have to tank it for a whole year or a whole split?”

In the same rebroadcast, one of Doublelift’s supporters mentioned something true. If the league reverses the schedule changes, returning to the original format would be difficult. This is because the new VALORANT broadcasts in the NA region now take the place of weekends at the Riot Games Arena.

VALORANT displaced League of Legends?

As we all know, VALORANT is now the “love child” of Riot Games, and with good reason. The sheer popularity of this tactical shooter over the seasons has been phenomenal.

In addition, the LEC will also use a different schedule in this 2023 season to avoid overlapping weekends. That’s why, to get everything back to normal, there are a lot of issues that Riot Games needs to resolve in the LCS.

That means the LCS could have problems with rating drops until the end of the season. Historically that’s when fans in North America start to flag.

Doublelift added:

“Riot has finessed themselves mentally into thinking this is actually going to be better for the LCS. What I don’t like about this plan is they are so sure of it, that there is no way for them to walk it back. Worst case scenario, we could potentially be locked into a situation where LCS has -30 to 50 percent viewership for a whole year, and that would suck for everyone trying to get sponsorships, secure more funding, or sell their LCS spot to a new, shiny investor.”

Now, what remains is to wait and see the impact of this new Riot Games bet. Only then will we know the magnitude of the changes implemented.

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