League of Legends·Esports

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Riot Games Esports· 2026 SeasonOpen source

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At a glanceEverything you need to set up a game

5 players

Players

Indoor

Environment

computer, monitor, mouse +2

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1. Introduction

League of Legends (LoL) is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Riot Games. In competitive play, two teams of five players each compete on the Summoner's Rift map. The objective is to destroy the opposing team's Nexus, a structure located in their base.

This ruleset governs professional and organized competitive play under Riot Games' esports ecosystem, including leagues such as the LCK, LEC, LCS, LPL, and the World Championship.

League of Legends esports is one of the largest competitive gaming ecosystems in the world, with millions of viewers and professional players competing across multiple regional leagues.

2. Equipment & Technical Requirements

Hardware

Gaming PC meeting minimum tournament specifications (set by tournament organizer)
Monitor: minimum 144Hz refresh rate, 24-27 inch display
Mouse and keyboard (players may bring their own peripherals)
Headset with noise isolation for team communication

Software

Official League of Legends tournament client (provided by Riot Games)
All players must use the current tournament patch version
No unauthorized third-party software, overlays, or macros permitted

Network

Tournament realm servers provided by Riot Games
Minimum network requirements: <10ms ping to tournament server
Backup internet connections required for official events

3. Playing Area (Summoner's Rift)

All competitive matches are played on the Summoner's Rift map.

Map Structure

Three lanes: Top, Mid, and Bot — each connecting the two bases
Jungle: Area between lanes containing neutral monsters
Bases: Each team's base contains the Nexus, two Nexus turrets, and an inhibitor per lane
Turrets: Defensive structures along each lane (outer, inner, inhibitor, Nexus)

Key Objectives

Baron Nashor: Powerful neutral monster granting team-wide combat buff
Elemental Drakes: Four dragon types granting permanent stat bonuses
Elder Dragon: Late-game objective with execute threshold
Rift Herald: Summonable siege creature

4. Players & Officials

Team Composition

Each team consists of 5 active players and up to 2 substitutes
Standard roles: Top Laner, Jungler, Mid Laner, Bot Laner (ADC), Support
Coaching staff may communicate with players only during designated breaks

Officials

Referees: Monitor gameplay integrity, enforce rules, manage pauses
Tournament administrators: Handle scheduling, disputes, and rule interpretations
Technical staff: Manage hardware, network, and client issues

Player Eligibility

Minimum age: 17 years (varies by region)
Must hold valid residency for their competitive region
Must not be under any active competitive suspension
Must sign the official player agreement for the league

5. Rules of Play

Champion Select (Draft Phase)

Teams alternate banning champions (5 bans per team, 10 total)
Ban phase: 3 bans each → 3 picks each → 2 bans each → 2 picks each
No champion may be picked or banned by both teams
Teams must lock in their selection within the allotted time
Newly released or reworked champions may be disabled for competitive play

Match Format

Regular season: Best-of-1 (BO1) or Best-of-3 (BO3) depending on region
Playoffs: Best-of-5 (BO5)
World Championship: Group stage BO1, knockout stage BO5

In-Game Rules

No deliberate exploitation of bugs or unintended game mechanics
Intentional disconnection or game-disrupting behavior is prohibited
Communication: team voice chat only; no external communication during live play
Pauses allowed for technical issues (must be approved by referee)

Chronobreak (Game Remake)

If a critical bug occurs, referees may rewind the game to a previous state
Full game remakes are ordered for severe technical failures
Referee's decision on remakes is final

6. Scoring & Victory Conditions

Win Condition

A team wins by destroying the enemy Nexus. There is no time limit; games continue until one Nexus is destroyed or a team surrenders.

Surrender

Teams may surrender after 15 minutes with unanimous vote (all 5 players)
After 20 minutes, surrender requires 4 out of 5 votes
In tournament play, coaches may also request a team surrender during pauses

Series Scoring

BO1: Single game determines the winner
BO3: First to 2 game wins
BO5: First to 3 game wins
Side selection alternates between games (higher seed chooses first game)

League Standings

Win = 1 point (BO1) or full series win recorded
Tiebreakers: head-to-head record → game differential → tiebreaker match

7. Violations & Penalties

Competitive Integrity Violations

Match fixing: Arranging or attempting to influence match outcomes — permanent ban
Cheating: Using unauthorized software, exploits, or information — suspension to permanent ban
Account sharing: Playing on another player's account — suspension
Collusion: Coordinating with opposing teams — suspension to permanent ban

Behavioral Violations

Unsportsmanlike conduct: Taunting, BM (bad manners), or disruptive behavior — warning to fine
Harassment: Directed abuse toward players, officials, or fans — fine to suspension
Social media violations: Leaking confidential information, hate speech — fine to suspension

Penalty Scale

Verbal warning
Written warning
Fine (varies by offense severity and league)
Game suspension (1-10 games)
Season suspension
Permanent ban from competitive play

8. Safety & Integrity

Player Welfare

Maximum daily practice hours may be mandated by regional league regulations
Teams must provide adequate rest periods during multi-day events
Players have access to sports psychologists and support services
Anti-harassment policies protect players from abuse by fans, staff, or other players

Anti-Doping

Performance-enhancing substances (e.g., Adderall without prescription) are prohibited
Random drug testing may be conducted at major events
Violations result in suspension and potential prize money forfeiture

Data Integrity

All competitive games are played on isolated tournament realm servers
Server logs are recorded and archived for dispute resolution
Replay files are available for review by teams and officials
Riot Games reserves the right to review any competitive match for integrity violations