LOL - PCS

LOL - PCS

Links
Wikipedia

The Pacific Championship Series (PCS) is a professional esports league for League of Legends teams competing in the Asia-Pacific. Riot Games, the game's developer, created the league in 2019. This followed an announcement by Garena – the game's distributor in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia – that it planned to merge the League of Legends Master Series (LMS) and League of Legends SEA Tour (LST) into a single tournament jointly run with Riot Games.

Initially, ten teams competed in the regular season, but this was reduced to eight teams in the 2024 spring season and finally seven in the 2024 summer season. In its final year of tier-one competition, the top six teams from the PCS regular season advanced to the playoffs and were joined by the top three teams from Japan and the top two teams from Oceania. Oceania became a part of the PCS region in 2022, with the League of Legends Circuit Oceania (LCO) being downgraded to a tier-two league secondary to the PCS. Japan followed suit the next year, with the League of Legends Japan League being similarly downgraded and integrated into the PCS.

Riot Games announced in 2024 that the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) would replace the PCS as the Asia-Pacific's tier-one league from 2025 onward. The PCS, along with the LJL and VCS, would become the LCP's secondary leagues, with a path to promotion to the LCP.

History

Prior to the PCS

The first professional esports league for League of Legends players in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia was the Garena Premier League (GPL), which ran from 2012 to mid-2018. Teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau were given their own league, the Master Series (LMS), in late 2014. Three years later, the Vietnam Championship Series (VCS) was upgraded to a Tier 1 tournament and Vietnam became its own competitive region, separate from the rest of Southeast Asia. The GPL was rebranded as the SEA Tour (LST) in mid-2018.

Formation

Garena announced on 25 September 2019 that it intended to merge the LMS and LST into a single league, the details of which would be released near the end of the year. On 19 December, Riot Games announced the name of the new league, the Pacific Championship Series (PCS), and a list of nine of the ten teams that would compete in it. Berjaya Dragons was announced as the last team joining the PCS on 17 January 2020.

Inaugural season

The 2020 season was postponed until further notice on 29 January due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It was later announced on 18 February that the 2020 season would officially begin on 29 February.

On 13 February it was announced that G-Rex had disbanded its League of Legends team and forfeited its spot in the PCS as a result of internal restructuring by their parent company Emperor Esports Stars. Five days later, Machi Esports was announced as G-Rex's replacement.

Expansion

Riot Games announced on 18 November 2022 that the PCS would expand to include Oceania, beginning in 2023. Two major changes were made: The winners of the Circuit Oceania would no longer directly qualify for the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and the World Championship (Worlds). Instead, the LCO's top two teams would have to compete in the PCS playoffs to gain a spot. Additionally, LCO players would have their residencies changed from "Oceania" to "PCS", meaning they would no longer take import slots on PCS teams, and vice versa.

On 26 November 2023, Riot Games announced that the Japan League would join the PCS playoffs in a similar manner to the LCO. From 2024 onwards, the top three teams from the LJL would have to compete in the PCS playoffs for a spot at MSI and Worlds. Additionally, LJL players would have their residencies changed from "Japan" to "PCS".

**Tournament Name:** League of Legends - PCS (Pacific Championship Series)

**Description:**

Join us for the highly anticipated League of Legends - Pacific Championship Series (PCS), where the best teams from across the Asia-Pacific region clash in an epic battle for supremacy! This premier esports tournament showcases top-tier talent, strategic gameplay, and electrifying moments that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

**Event Highlights:**

- **Top Teams:** Watch as elite teams from various countries compete for glory, including representatives from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia, and beyond. Each match promises intense rivalries and breathtaking plays.

- **Format:** The tournament features a dynamic format, including group stages leading to knockout rounds, culminating in a thrilling grand final. Teams will battle it out in a best-of-five series, showcasing their skills and teamwork.

- **Live Broadcast:** Experience the action live with expert commentary and analysis from renowned casters and analysts. Fans can tune in via multiple streaming platforms, ensuring that no one misses a moment of the excitement.

- **Community Engagement:** Participate in interactive fan activities, including giveaways, polls, and Q&A sessions with players and coaches. Join the conversation on social media and show your support for your favorite teams!

- **Prizes:** Competing teams will vie for a substantial prize pool, along with valuable championship points that could lead to qualification for international events.

- **Venue:** The tournament will be held at a state-of-the-art venue, providing an immersive experience for both live audiences and online viewers.

Whether you're a die-hard League of Legends fan or new to the esports scene, the PCS promises to deliver unforgettable moments and showcase the pinnacle of competitive gaming. Don’t miss out on the action—mark your calendars and get ready to cheer for your favorite teams as they battle for the title of PCS champion!