Filipino League of Legends (LoL) players will soon have the opportunity to compete on the global stage, thanks to the new League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) launched by Riot Games. Scheduled to begin in 2025, the LCP aims to bring together top players from the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, creating a new pathway for regional teams to qualify for the prestigious League of Legends World Championship (Worlds). The tournament will feature a mix of partnered teams, guest teams, and top teams from domestic tournaments, with wildcard slots available for teams from non-partnered countries, including the Philippines. Riot Games has yet to reveal the final criteria for wildcard qualifications, but Filipino fans are already excited at the possibility of seeing their local talent on the international stage.
Participating teams for the 2025 LCP season include partnered squads like CTBC Flying Oyster, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming, GAM Esports, and PSG Talon, while guest teams such as Chiefs Esports Club, DetonatioN FocusMe, Team Whales, and Vikings Esports have also been invited. Additional teams from local Asia-Pacific tournaments will join to create a vibrant and diverse competitive landscape. Riot Games aims for the LCP to be a true representation of the region’s talent and a platform that highlights its various playstyles. The tournament is part of Riot’s long-term plan to build a sustainable, high-level competitive ecosystem in the Asia-Pacific.
To prepare Filipino players for this international opportunity, Riot Games Philippines is strengthening the local esports infrastructure. The company’s Brand Manager announced that Riot will continue running initiatives like Liga Republika and Empyrean Cup, designed to nurture and train Filipino players for competitive success. These tournaments will allow Philippine teams to gain valuable experience and sharpen their skills in a competitive setting, positioning them for greater success at the LCP and beyond. Riot Games Philippines also plans more online and offline events for fans and players, aiming to cultivate a strong esports community in the country.
The establishment of the LCP marks an important step forward for the Filipino esports scene, as local teams will finally have a chance to prove themselves in one of the world’s most competitive gaming events. The potential for a Filipino team to qualify for Worlds has been a long-standing hope among local fans, and the LCP brings this dream closer than ever. With the promise of a dedicated regional league and more support for local players, Riot Games is helping to pave the way for Philippine talent to achieve global recognition in League of Legends.
