Change is coming to the LCS with Riot Games announcing the launch of the Americas League in 2025. These changes will herald a new era in competitive League of Legends, with the LCS, LLA, and CBLoL merging into a new Americas League.

The community response has been mixed since the Riot announcement was first made. For North America, it’s a chance to correct the mistakes of the past. For South America, it’s an unwelcome change. But what do players think?

During the opening weeks of the LCS Summer Split, Dot Esports gathered the thoughts of Busio, Olleh, and Tomio; three young players expected to play a major role in the future of the LCS. We discussed their initial thoughts on the news of the Americas merger and how it will affect the league’s tier-two scene in NA. The merger will create two conferences: the North Conference for the LCS and the South Conference for the CBLoL. Each league will have eight teams, split into six of the existing national leagues, one from LLA, and a viable guest slot. This guest slot will see teams from the tier-two scene promoted and relegated each season.

Tomio and Busio are products of the NACL, NA’s developmental league. Promoting from the NACL to the LCS is no easy feat, as many promising players never get the chance to flourish in a tier-one major league. Both players are familiar with the struggle for young players looking to get their chance. Busio described the merger changes as “good for the league,” before explaining the development path. “Adding the LLA team and a challenger team is good to showcase talent and development,” he said.