The LEC has confirmed that its controversial Summer Split format will not be returning next year, following heavy criticism from fans and players alike. League Commissioner Artem Bykov addressed the backlash directly on X, admitting that the changes made for 2025 didn’t land as intended and promising a fresh structure for 2026.

Hi everyone, I’ve been following the feedback about the Summer Split format and schedule, and I want to be upfront about it. Summer Split format didn’t land the way we hoped and we won’t bring it back next year. We’re also looking for ways to increase the number of competition…

— Artem Bykov (@arbykov) August 29, 2025

Bykov’s post didn’t sugarcoat the issue. “Summer Split format didn’t land the way we hoped and we won’t bring it back next year,” he said, before adding that Riot is “looking for ways to increase the number of competition days across the whole year in 2026.”

Why the Summer Split format failed

The 2025 Summer Split was built around two five-team round-robin groups, with each team only playing four Best-of-Three series in the regular season. The idea was to move away from Best-of-Ones, which had grown stale for many fans, and instead push for more meaningful Bo3 matches.

But the reality was very different. With so few matches, fans complained that the split lacked excitement and consistency. Even players joined the backlash. GIANTX botlaner Oh “Noah” Hyeon-taek went viral for his blunt post on X.

By the way,this format is so shit we Wait 17 days to play one series, then need to wait 10 days to play another series.
only two series in 27 days is crazy shit
while lck and lpl are playing 2 series a week xd

— Noah7 (@Noah_lol1004) August 26, 2025

His frustration was echoed across the community, with fans pointing out that long gaps made it hard to stay invested and killed the momentum of the season.

The scheduling made things worse. Some teams went weeks without playing on stage, Fnatic, for example, had a 21-day break between matches in the middle of the split. Meanwhile, matches often fell on Mondays and Tuesdays, which didn’t sit well with fans or players. The overlap with VCT EMEA also threw off the schedule, since both events use the same Berlin studio.

In short, the format left viewers with less League of Legends to enjoy, teams with fewer chances to build form, and a calendar that just didn’t flow. Compared to leagues like the LCK or LPL, where squads compete twice a week, the LEC looked stagnant.

What comes next for the LEC

While the Summer Split didn’t work out, Bykov stressed that Riot has taken the feedback seriously and is already working on adjustments for 2026. He confirmed that the next structure will aim to deliver more consistent competition days across the calendar.

The LEC boss also hinted at exploring more community engagement through regular AMAs and quick Q&A sessions. He has already spent time responding to fan suggestions on X, with popular requests including consistent formats across all splits, the possibility of double-elimination, and even an LCK-style regular season.

Not all ideas are on the table though. When asked about introducing a Best-of-Two system, Bykov quickly shut it down, explaining that Bo2s often led to frustrating 1–1 draws that didn’t satisfy anyone. However, he did float the idea of using tiebreakers as a compromise.

not something we’re considering for the next year. You’re right, it will make scheduling more straightforward. We also heard overwhelming feedback from fans that 1:1 match score doesn’t feel great, that’s the main reason for avoiding Bo2s. Maybe we play 1vs1 deciders? 🙂

— Artem Bykov (@arbykov) August 29, 2025

A learning curve for Riot

The LEC has often experimented with formats, sometimes successfully and other times less so. The failed Summer Split format might have missed the mark, but the public acknowledgment of mistakes and willingness to adapt could be a positive sign for fans who want a more engaging and competitive season moving forward.

Bykov confirmed that more details about the 2026 structure will be revealed after the Summer Split concludes, meaning fans won’t have to wait too long to see what’s next.

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