LCS to switch to Bo3 format in 2024 Summer Split

The LCS is reportedly switching back to the Bo3 format starting from the 2024 Summer Split. Here’s what we know so far.

Photo Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

LCS to go back to Bo3 format in Summer

The format change was first reported by content creator Travis Gafford on his YouTube channel. This would mark a return to the Bo3 format which dates back to 2017 when TSM won the title. After more than six years of Bo1 double round-robin, this is yet another move to shake up the NA league and try to level up the competition and make the league more appealing.

This change would also mean that the LCS would follow the LCK and LPL which have always utilized the Bo3 format. Despite this substantial change, the LCS shouldn’t add many play days so it shouldn’t impact the schedule as much. Playoffs are still expected to be on the usual Bo5 format.

The shift was well received by the community as the format change marks yet another brilliant move by the LCS commission MarkZ. Earlier this year, he and the rest of the LCS team decided to bring the regular season matches on the live patch, differentiating the league from the other major reasons while also implementing the weekend schedule. And despite the reduction of the league from 10 to 8 teams, the average viewership went up significantly, according to Esports Charts.

There will be a two-week break for the Esports World Cup

Travis Gafford also mentioned that Riot is planning to implement a two-week break during the Summer Split, which should correspond to when the 2024 Esports World Cup will take place. Similar to the break used in Spring to make space for the VALORANT professional scene, the LCS action will stop for a while mid-split.

Before the start of Summer, however, the LCS will have the main task of delivering at the international stage: FlyQuest and Team Liquid will represent the region at the 2024 Mid-Season Invitational, which will take place in Chengdu in May.