LEC spring finals to change locations, LCS to suspend fan and player interactions in response to coronavirus outbreak

On March 6, both the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and League of Legends European Championship (LEC) made official announcements detailing changes that will take place in the 2020 Spring Split in response to the developing COVID-19 situation.

In the LEC’s statement, Head of Esports Alberto “Tiroless” Guerrero detailed the European league’s decision to relocate the 2020 LEC Spring Finals out of its initial location in Budapest, Hungary to the LEC Studio in Berlin. 

“After carefully assessing the situation, we believe that holding the event in a smaller setting and a more controlled environment is the right call,” Guerrero clarifies. 

Going forward, the LEC will work with local health officials to ensure fan and player safety and will take additional precautions if necessary. 

LCS Commissioner Chris Greely followed up with a message detailing how North America will be responding. As of now, the LCS team have yet to make a decision in regards to the 2020 Spring Finals in Frisco, TX, but have been in communication with the venue and local government authorities.

For now, LCS will be suspending all fan meets, victory high fives, and post-game handshakes until further notice. Ticket refunds for those no longer wanting to attend matches are available to those who reach out to [email protected] as well.

The League of Legends Pro League was the first to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year with a hiatus and will return on March 9. Various events across different esports such a Overwatch and CS:GO have responded by implementing cancellations and limited fan interactions.

Riot has yet to make an official statements regarding the state of the Mid-Season Invitational that traditionally takes place in May after all major leagues have wrapped up. The 2020 World Championship is set to take place in China this fall, with finals held in Shanghai.

Image via Riot Games.