Riot Games has launched League of Legends Game Changers Rising (LGC Rising), the first official women’s tournament for League of Legends in the EMEA region. It’s part of the new League of Legends Game Changers (LGC) circuit, focused on building a competitive setup for women players in the region.
The idea follows the model used in VALORANT Game Changers, which saw strong results. Riot said this move is based on community demand and also builds off past local events like the Equal Esports Cup in Germany and the Coupe des Étoiles in France.
Focus on Stability and Long-Term Development
The first LGC Rising will begin with online matches in August, ending with a live final at Paris Games Week on October 30. Riot called this a pilot tournament and said they’re starting small to ensure the setup grows properly over time.
Entry is limited to players who identify as women. Riot said this is to make sure the competition remains respectful and safe for those taking part.
Tournament Setup and Qualification
LGC Rising will have eight teams. Three are expected to be directly invited—likely the ones already tied to LEC teams like G2 Esports, SK Gaming, and Team Vitality. Another three spots will be earned through the Equal Esports Cup. Two more will come from an open qualifier in early August.
Image Credits: Riot Games
The structure begins with two round-robin groups of four teams each. Matches will be best-of-one. The top three teams from each group move into a double-elimination playoff bracket. Those matches will be best-of-five. Riot hasn’t confirmed yet if Fearless Draft will be used.
Support from LEC Teams and Local Events
Riot said LGC is not meant to take the place of local women’s events. Instead, it’s designed to grow with them. Past examples like G2 Hel reaching Liga Nexo playoffs show that there’s already some progress in this space. Riot aims to work with those events, not around them.
LEC teams are also involved in the project. Riot noted that these organizations will help push the scene forward. Webedia, Riot’s tournament partner, will assist with event delivery and planning.
Riot said it wants LGC to expand over time, not immediately. The goal is to build a solid base with input from the community. With the finals set at Paris Games Week, LGC Rising marks the first step of this path for women’s League of Legends competition in EMEA.
