The League of Legends European Championship (LEC) came out with a surprise for their fans this weekend. Talent Manager and on-air talent Trevor "Quickshot" Henry revealed that, for this year's Spring Split Playoffs, the teams will be competing from the LEC studio in Berlin.
Until now the LEC had been played in an online setting with teams playing from their homes or training facilities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With tests becoming available to all Berlin citizens on a weekly basis and the steady vaccination process, the LEC has deemed it safe enough to bring the competitors to the studio.
Given the pandemic, the LEC is taking several steps to warrant the safety of those on-site: "All parts of the studio will be thoroughly and regularly disinfected, and all persons not on-air will be required to wear masks at all times. Additionally, everyone entering the studio will be required to bring an up-to-date negative COVID test."
Though this is obviously a great step towards bringing back full LAN competition, the LEC notes that this is a unique opportunity. Teams only need to be present in the studio two at a time for the Playoffs, which makes taking precautions much easier. For the regular Summer Split, which will kick off at some point in June, the LEC expects to return to an online format.
North American League of Legends star Yiliang "Doublelift" Peng is once again joining his former team TSM, albeit in a different role.
Image courtesy Riot Games.
