The 2021 LCS season was the ninth season of the League Championship Series (LCS), a professional esports league for the video game League of Legends. The season was preceded a new preseason tournament, the LCS Lock In, which ran from January 15 to 31, 2021. The season was divided into two splits: Spring and Summer. The Spring Split began on February 5 and culminated with the Mid-Season Showdown finals on April 11, 2021. The Summer Split began on June 4 and culminated with the LCS Championship Final on August 1, 2021.
| 2021 LCS season | |
|---|---|
| League | LCS |
| Sport | League of Legends |
| Duration |
|
| Number of teams | 10 |
| TV partner(s) | English: Twitch, YouTube |
| Lock In | |
| Winner | Team Liquid |
| Runners-up | Cloud9 |
| Spring | |
| Winner | Cloud9 |
| Runners-up | Team Liquid |
| Top seed | Cloud9 |
| Season MVP | Robert "Blaber" Huang |
| Summer | |
| Winner | 100 Thieves |
| Runners-up | Team Liquid |
| Top seed | Team SoloMid |
| Season MVP | Mingyi "Spica" Lu |
In 2021, the LCS underwent significant changes. The spring split regular season became a six-week double round-robin, while the spring playoffs were renamed the Mid-Season Showdown. The summer split regular season expanded to a nine-week triple round-robin format. The spring and summer regular season records were combined to determine LCS Championship seeding. Additionally, the league rebranded as the League Championship Series and introduced a new logo and mottos.
Cloud9 won the spring split playoffs, qualifying them for the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational. In the LCS Championship playoffs, 100 Thieves, Team Liquid, and Cloud9 claimed the first, second, and third positions, respectively, earning qualifications to the 2021 World Championship.
Format changes
editThe format of the LCS underwent significant changes for the 2021 season. The season introduced the "LCS Lock In," a three-week preseason tournament. The regular season expanded to five games a day over three days a week. The spring split regular season was changed to a double round-robin played over six weeks instead of nine, while maintaining the same number of games as the previous season. Additionally, the spring playoffs were rebranded as the Mid-Season Showdown (MSS). The summer split regular season was expanded to a triple round-robin format that took place over nine weeks. Additionally, the spring and summer regular season records were merged to determine the seeding for the LCS Championship at the end of the summer.[1]
The league also rebranded from the League of Legends Championship Series into the League Championship Series ahead of the 2021 season. A new logo and two new mottos were introduced: Made by many and All for the game.[2]
Lock In
editThe inaugural LCS Lock In took place from January 15 to 31, 2021, as a three-week preseason tournament. The group stage team selection process began with the top-performing teams from the previous year, namely TSM from group A and FlyQuest from group B. These teams each selected squads to be placed in the opposing group. The Lock-In groups followed a round-robin format, where each team played every other team in their group once, with matches being best-of-one. The top four teams from each group advanced to the knockout stage. The quarterfinals in the knockout stage were contested in a best-of-three series, while the semifinals and final used a best-of-five format. The Lock In champion was awarded a prize of US$150,000, along with an additional $50,000 for a charity of their choice. Additionally, they gained the advantage of side selection for Game 5 of the regular season in case of tied head-to-head records.[3][4]
Group stage
edit- Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 Thieves | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 2 | Team Liquid | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 | |
| 3 | Team SoloMid | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | |
| 4 | Golden Guardians | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | |
| 5 | Counter Logic Gaming | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 |
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head record
- Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evil Geniuses | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 2 | Cloud9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 | |
| 3 | FlyQuest | 4 | 2 | 2 | .500 | |
| 4 | Immortals | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | |
| 5 | Dignitas | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 |
Rules for classification: 1) Wins; 2) Head-to-head record
Knockout stage
edit| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||
| A1 | 100 Thieves | 2 | |||||||||||
| B4 | Immortals | 0 | |||||||||||
| A1 | 100 Thieves | 2 | |||||||||||
| B2 | Cloud9 | 3 | |||||||||||
| B2 | Cloud9 | 2 | |||||||||||
| A3 | Team SoloMid | 1 | |||||||||||
| B2 | Cloud9 | 2 | |||||||||||
| A2 | Team Liquid | 3 | |||||||||||
| B1 | Evil Geniuses | 2 | |||||||||||
| A4 | Golden Guardians | 0 | |||||||||||
| B1 | Evil Geniuses | 0 | |||||||||||
| A2 | Team Liquid | 3 | |||||||||||
| A2 | Team Liquid | 2 | |||||||||||
| B3 | FlyQuest | 0 | |||||||||||
Spring
editThe Spring Split regular season ran from February 5 to March 14, 2021. The regular season followed a standard double round-robin format, where each team faced every other team twice. The playoffs ran from April 2 to 24, 2021. The top six teams from the Spring Split advanced to the Mid-Season Showdown (MSS), a double-elimination tournament. This format was similar to the 2020 Spring Playoffs, with the fifth and sixth seeds starting in the lower bracket. One change was the requirement for the first seed to face the fourth seed, and side selection favored the team that had most recently dropped from the upper bracket. Additionally, ties were resolved based on seeding. The winner of the MSS was awarded the first LCS title of 2021 and secured a spot at the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational.[3]
The lower bracket final and grand final of the MSS took place at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California.[5]
Regular season
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cloud9 | 18 | 13 | 5 | .722 | Advance to upper semifinals |
| 2 | Team SoloMid | 18 | 12 | 6 | .667 | |
| 3 | Team Liquid | 18 | 12 | 6 | .667 | |
| 4 | 100 Thieves | 18 | 11 | 7 | .611 | |
| 5 | Dignitas | 18 | 11 | 7 | .611 | Advance to lower quarterfinals |
| 6 | Evil Geniuses | 18 | 10 | 8 | .556 | |
| 7 | Immortals | 18 | 7 | 11 | .389 | |
| 8 | FlyQuest | 18 | 6 | 12 | .333 | |
| 9 | Counter Logic Gaming | 18 | 5 | 13 | .278 | |
| 10 | Golden Guardians | 18 | 3 | 15 | .167 |
Mid-Season Showdown
editBracket
edit| Upper round 1 | Upper final | Final | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Cloud9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 100 Thieves | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Cloud9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Team Liquid | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Team SoloMid | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Team Liquid | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Cloud9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower final | 3 | Team Liquid | 2 | |||||||||||||
| 2 | Team SoloMid | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Team Liquid | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Evil Geniuses | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Team SoloMid | 3 | 2 | Team SoloMid | 1 | |||||||||||||
| 4 | 100 Thieves | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | 100 Thieves | 3 | ||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Dignitas | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
Final standings
edit| Pos | Team | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cloud9 | 2021 Mid-Season Invitational |
| 2 | Team Liquid | |
| 3 | Team SoloMid | |
| 4 | 100 Thieves | |
| 5–6 | Dignitas | |
| Evil Geniuses |
Awards
edit- 1st Team All-Pro:[6]
- T Alphari, Team Liquid
- J Blaber, Cloud9
- M Perkz, Cloud9
- B Zven, Cloud9
- S CoreJJ, Team Liquid
- 2nd Team All-Pro:[6]
- T Impact, Evil Geniuses
- J Santorin, Team Liquid
- M PowerOfEvil, Team SoloMid
- B FBI, 100 Thieves
- S Vulcan, Cloud9
- 3rd Team All-Pro:[6]
- T Huni, Team SoloMid
- J Dardoch, Dignitas
- M Jensen, Team Liquid
- B Neo, Dignitas
- S SwordArt, Team SoloMid
Summer
editThe Summer Split regular season ran from June 4 to August 1, 2021. The Summer Split regular season featured a triple round robin format, spanning nine weeks of play, where each team faced each other three times. The top eight teams with the highest combined regular season records from both spring and summer secured spots in the LCS Championship playoffs. The top two teams started in the upper bracket semifinals, the following four started in the upper bracket quarterfinals, and the remaining two started in the lower bracket. The LCS Championship playoffs, held from August 7 to 29, featured a double-elimination format. The top team from the playoffs was named the LCS champion, and the top three teams from the playoffs qualified for the 2021 League of Legends World Championship.[3]
Initially, the LCS Championship lower bracket final and grand final were scheduled to be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. However, due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the United States, these matches were relocated to the LCS Arena in Los Angeles, California, where they took place without a live audience.[9]
Regular season
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team SoloMid | 45 | 30 | 15 | .667 | Advance to upper semifinals |
| 2 | 100 Thieves | 45 | 29 | 16 | .644 | |
| 3 | Evil Geniuses | 45 | 28 | 17 | .622 | Advance to upper quarterfinals |
| 4 | Cloud9 | 45 | 28 | 17 | .622 | |
| 5 | Team Liquid | 45 | 27 | 18 | .600 | |
| 6 | Dignitas | 45 | 23 | 22 | .511 | |
| 7 | Immortals | 45 | 20 | 25 | .444 | Advance to lower round 1 |
| 8 | Golden Guardians | 45 | 14 | 31 | .311 | |
| 9 | FlyQuest | 45 | 14 | 31 | .311 | |
| 10 | Counter Logic Gaming | 45 | 12 | 33 | .267 |
LCS Championship playoffs
editBracket
edit| Upper round 1 | Upper round 2 | Upper final | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Team SoloMid | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Cloud9 | 1 | 5 | Team Liquid | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Team Liquid | 3 | 5 | Team Liquid | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 100 Thieves | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 100 Thieves | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Evil Geniuses | 3 | 3 | Evil Geniuses | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Dignitas | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Team Liquid | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | 100 Thieves | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lower round 1 | Lower round 2 | Lower round 3 | Lower final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Team SoloMid | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Dignitas | 0 | 7 | Immortals | 1 | 2 | 100 Thieves | 3 | |||||||||||||||
| 7 | Immortals | 3 | 1 | Team SoloMid | 2 | 4 | Cloud9 | 1 | |||||||||||||||
| 4 | Cloud9 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Evil Geniuses | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Cloud9 | 3 | 4 | Cloud9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Golden Guardians | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Final standings
edit| Pos | Team | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 100 Thieves | 2021 League of Legends World Championship |
| 2 | Team Liquid | |
| 3 | Cloud9 | |
| 4 | Team SoloMid | |
| 5–6 | Evil Geniuses | |
| Immortals | ||
| 7–8 | Dignitas | |
| Golden Guardians |
Awards
edit- 1st Team All-Pro:[10]
- T Fudge, Cloud9
- J Spica, Team SoloMid
- M Jiizuke, Evil Geniuses
- B FBI, 100 Thieves
- S CoreJJ, Team Liquid
- 2nd Team All-Pro:[10]
- T Impact, Evil Geniuses
- J Closer, 100 Thieves
- M Abbedagge, 100 Thieves
- B Danny, Evil Geniuses
- S huhi, 100 Thieves
- 3rd Team All-Pro:[10]
- T Huni, Team SoloMid
- J Blaber, Cloud9
- M PowerOfEvil, Team SoloMid
- B Tactical, Team Liquid
- S Vulcan, Cloud9
- Most Valuable Player: Spica, Team SoloMid[11]
- Rookie of the Year: Danny, Evil Geniuses[12]
- Most Improved Player: Fudge, Cloud9[13]
- Coaching Staff of the Split: Evil Geniuses[14]
Broadcast
editLCS regular season games were played on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with Fridays beginning at 3 pm PT and Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm PT.[3] A Spanish broadcast was produced by the LCS team FlyQuest.[15]
References
edit- ^ Soba, Carolynn (January 9, 2021). "All there is to know about the 2021 LCS format change". Upcomer. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Suárez, Pablo (January 5, 2021). "Riot presents complete revamp of LCS' brand identity". Dot Esports. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "2021 LCS Season Updates". League of Legends Esports. December 14, 2020. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Çakır, Gökhan (January 12, 2021). "How to watch the LCS 2021 Lock In: Format, schedule, and more". Dot Esports. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ^ Beresford, Trilby (April 7, 2021). "L.A.'s Greek Theatre to Host 'League of Legends' Esports Event". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c Esguerra, Tyler (March 19, 2021). "Team Liquid, Cloud9 players make up 2021 LCS Spring Split All-Pro team". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Esguerra, Tyler (April 9, 2021). "Blaber wins 2021 LCS Spring Split MVP award". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Esguerra, Tyler (March 26, 2021). "Cloud9 win coaching staff of the split award for 2021 LCS Spring Split". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Peters, Jay (August 7, 2021). "Riot moves League of Legends' US championship from Prudential Center due to COVID-19". The Verge. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c "2021 LCS Summer Split Awards". LoL Esports. August 6, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Michael (August 27, 2021). "2023 LCS Summer Split Awards". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Esguerra, Tyler (August 11, 2021). "Evil Geniuses ADC Danny wins 2021 LCS Rookie of the Year award". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Esguerra, Tyler (August 17, 2021). "Fudge wins 2021 LCS Most Improved Player award". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Kelly, Michael (August 6, 2021). "Evil Geniuses wins 2021 LCS Coaching Staff of the Year award". Dot Esports. Retrieved October 7, 2023.
- ^ Geracie, Nick (4 February 2021). "FlyQuest to produce Spanish co-stream for 2021 LCS season". www.invenglobal.com.