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A New Era for Women in LoL

Riot Games has announced the Nova Series: Prélude, a brand-new women’s esports competition set to debut in France this November. Organised in partnership with ZQSD Productions, the event marks a major step in building a sustainable competitive scene for women and marginalised genders in League of Legends (LoL).

The Nova Series: Prélude will run from November 8 to December 6, featuring two online qualifiers and a LAN Grand Final in Paris, with a €10,000 prize pool on the line.

According to Nicolas Di Martino, President of ZQSD Productions, the event is more than a one-off tournament. “Our vision is not merely to add a one-off event, but to establish a lasting fixture for the French women’s League of Legends scene,” he said.

He added that the goal is to create a professional, respectful ecosystem that gives women players the confidence and opportunity to perform at the highest level, and to inspire the next generation of talent.

Format and Schedule

The Nova Series: Prélude will kick off shortly after the conclusion of League of Legends Game Changers, Riot’s newly launched women’s competitive circuit.

League of Legends Nova Series Prelude

Image Credit: Riot Games

There will be two qualifiers, taking place on:

  • November 8–9
  • November 15–16

Each qualifier begins with a Swiss Stage on day one, where teams will battle through best-of-one matches. The top four teams will advance to the Playoffs, a best-of-three single-elimination bracket played on day two.

From there, the top two teams from each qualifier will move on to the Nova Series Playoffs, starting November 23. These will also be played in a BO3 format, leading up to the Grand Final on December 6, held on LAN in Paris and broadcast live in a BO5 showdown.

ZQSD has confirmed that broadcasts will cover both qualifier Playoffs and the full Playoff stage, providing fans a front-row seat to the rise of new talent.

Open to Women Across EMEA

The Nova Series: Prélude is open to anyone aged 16 or older who identifies as a woman (cisgender or transgender), in line with Riot’s Game Changers eligibility rules. Non-binary players are not eligible for this particular event.

There are no residency restrictions, and registrations are already open for both qualifiers via the official tournament page. The first registration deadline is November 6, and the second closes on November 13.

A Familiar Face Leading the Charge

For its inaugural season, the Nova Series has secured a prominent ambassador — Ève “Colomblbl” Monvoisin, a star player from G2 Hel, the top team in women’s League of Legends.

Since 2022, Colomblbl has been a key figure in elevating the women’s scene, leading G2 Hel to multiple titles and even qualifying for Spain’s mixed Division 2. She’s also set to compete in the Game Changers Grand Final at Paris Games Week on October 31.

“It’s a dream to have been chosen to promote the women’s scene in France,” she shared, expressing pride in helping shape the next generation of players.

Building on Proven Esports Expertise

Behind the event, ZQSD Productions brings plenty of experience from organising some of France’s biggest esports events. Closely associated with Adrien “ZeratoR” Nougaret, ZQSD has been responsible for large-scale tournaments like ZLAN, Trackmania Cups, and the Ascension series.

The company has also worked within the League of Legends ecosystem for years, helping manage the LFL, Division 2, EMEA Masters, and even the LEC.

With Riot Games’ support and ZQSD’s proven production quality, the Nova Series: Prélude could be the first step toward a thriving, permanent space for women in competitive League of Legends.

A Movement Beyond the Rift

The Nova Series arrives at a defining moment for women’s esports. With the success of VALORANT’s Game Changers and the recent launch of LoL Game Changers, Riot’s focus on inclusion is stronger than ever.

The Nova Series announcement video captured that spirit perfectly:

“We have always been here. On the Rift. In every match. In every fight. Sometimes in silence… but always determined. Today, it is time to write our own history. A new era is beginning — and it belongs to us.”