Riot just announced on socials that they will downsize the LCS to 8 teams. In 2024, the North American league will be reshaped and two teams will be leaving.
As rumored before, the North American League of Legends league LCS will be downsized in 2024. President of Esports at Riot Games, John Needham, announced that the LCS will be an 8-team league going forward. This means that two teams have to step back, and we finally know, which teams that are:
LCS 2024 Update - John Needham pic.twitter.com/CmnMmTfgxN
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) November 20, 2023
Apparently, a mutual decision was made with Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses that both will leave the LCS. According to the announcement, this change will allow for more flexibility while preparing to restructure the league. While there is no more information on how that restructuring will look exactly, Needham says that they will outline the full strategy for the LCS in early 2024.
Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses also already posted short statements on socials announcing their exit from the LCS and thanking everyone for their great time in the North American LoL league:
The Golden Guardians have had an incredible experience in the LCS over the last five years. However, given Riot Games decision to shift the LCS from a 10-team league to an 8-team league, we have made the difficult decision to exit League of Legends.We are so grateful for the...
— Golden Guardians (@GoldenGuardians) November 20, 2023
Evil Geniuses will be stepping away from the LCS heading into 2024. We are incredibly grateful to the players, coaches, staff, and fans who have sustained our four-season tenure in the LCS and who have brought incredible success to the EG name. While we will not be competing... https://t.co/CpL6mhqVvZ
— Evil Geniuses (@EvilGeniuses) November 20, 2023
As written in the original post by Needham, the decision to downsize the LCS was made no, prior to free agency to allow the impacted players to find new teams and pursue their career in other leagues.
What do you think about downsizing the LCS from 10 to only 8 teams? Is this the right step to set up the league for future success, or is this just another sign for the LCS' downfall?