Everything you need to know about the LCS Playoffs and Regional Qualifiers

Riot·Jul 30, 2015·2 votes·159,418 views

Playoffs are right around the corner, and LCS teams are prepping to make a run at the top spot in their regions. They've got a long road ahead of them, filled with trials, tribulations, and Baron throws.

Will Fnatic ever lose a game? Will TSM find their groove again in the Playoffs? Can Unicorns of Love inject some chaos into the Playoffs and play the spoiler? Will CLG play the choke artists, or finally find their Worlds destiny? To quote us from a couple years ago, who will rise?

There are three ways that LCS teams can qualify for Worlds: a first place finish in the Summer Playoffs, having the most Championship points, and qualifying through the Regional Qualifier gauntlet. With the Playoffs kicking off on August 8, it's a good time to go over what the format means for all the teams.

The Playoffs

The Playoffs format is pretty simple. The top six teams from the Regular Season head into a three round bracket, where they'll duke it out in a series of Best of 5 matches. Teams who finished 3rd through 6th compete in a Quarterfinal round, while 1st and 2nd get a bye into the Semifinals. Winners of the Semifinals will not only punch their tickets to Madison Square Garden (if they're from North America) or Stockholm (if they're from Europe), but also play for the top seed from their regions at Worlds.

The winner of the Finals will head straight to Worlds, while the other teams will net Championship Points based on where they finish. We'll get to those in a second.

Here's what the NA bracket looks like right now:

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And here's the EU bracket:

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Remember that whoever wins their Regional Playoff will automatically qualify to be the first seed out of their region. But, fortunately for teams that don't manage to get to the top of the brackets, there are two more ways to punch a ticket to Worlds.

Championship points

Let's talk about Championship Points.

For any team that doesn't qualify for Worlds through a 1st place finish in the Summer Playoffs, the next option is to get in by finishing the Season with the most Points. Teams are awarded Championship Points based on where they finish in both the Spring and Summer Split Playoffs.

The team that has the most Points (assuming they didn't automatically qualify during the Summer Split Playoffs) earns the second spot at Worlds. You can read more about how Championship Points work right here.

Let's take a look at the Points of teams that still have a shot at making Worlds.

Here are the Championship Points the NA LCS Playoff teams earned in the Spring Split:

Team SoloMid - 90 Points
Cloud9 - 70 Points
Team Liquid - 50 Points
Team Impulse - 30 Points
Counter Logic Gaming - 10 Points
Gravity - 10 Points
Team Dignitas - 0 Points

And here's the EU teams' point standings:

Fnatic - 90 Points
Unicorns of Love - 70 Points
H2K Gaming - 50 Points
Origen - 0 Points
Giants Gaming - 0 Points
Team ROCCAT - 0 Points

Whoever finishes with the most points after the 2015 Summer Split Playoffs will qualify for Worlds as the second seed from their respective regions. Anyone finishing 6th or above will receive points, and with up to 90 Points still up for grabs, that Worlds spot can still be nabbed by just about anyone.

Note: If there happen to be any ties in overall Championship Points, the team that earned the most points in the Summer Split will be the holder of the tiebreaker.

Here are the number of points ready to be picked up, based on Summer Split Playoff finishes:

2nd - 90 Points
3rd - 70 Points
4th - 40 Points
5th-6th - 20 points

The Regional Qualifiers

Those hard-earned Championship Points won't go to waste if a team doesn't get that second seed, though, as the third and final way to qualify for Worlds is to win a Regional Qualifier. Seeded into a single elimination knockout gauntlet based on their final Championship Points standings, teams with fewer points will have to play more Best of 5 matches, beating all of the higher seeds in order to qualify. Basically, teams that finish with more Points won't have to win as many Best of 5s to get to Worlds.

The bracket looks like this:

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Not as complicated as it sounds, right?

So there you have it, the postseason plans for both NA and EU LCS! Will your favorite team make it to Worlds? Find out by keeping your eyes right here on Lolesports when the Playoffs start on August 8. And if you want to attend any of the Playoffs or Regional Qualifiers in person, head over to the Tickets page. See you there!

330 Comments

Deer MerchantJul 30, 2015152 votes

if its tsm vs c9 again in the finals im going to buy everyone rp

TrichromanicJul 30, 201537 votes

That's a very safe bet

YashenAug 6, 20156 votes

TSM probably will auto qualify for the second seed, so I doubt TSM will even be in the regional finals

FrellAug 6, 20159 votes

Naah, TSM will probably lose vs Gravity.

LawjikAug 6, 20157 votes

TSM would lose in a bo1, idk if GV can duke it out w/ TSM in a bo5, i cud be wrong tho

pattyrockAug 10, 20153 votes

game over now my friend.

p0psiclesJul 31, 201517 votes

They could both meet in the regional finals >.> I wouldn't start counting your money yet.

ApollomonJul 31, 20153 votes

that's true :P

SAFFATLOLJul 31, 201510 votes

Idk if I'd laugh hysterically or just be sad if both TSM and C9 got to worlds again

KrakdantagolAug 1, 201510 votes

That would be indeed quite a sight to see NA be represented at worlds by their 5th and 7th team of the Summer regular season.

Count BuffonJul 31, 20152 votes

TSM has to hope that Gravity and Dignitas beat Liquid. Then they will qualify on points.

KwikdrawAug 5, 201517 votes

Regardless of who wins the Region, TSM far and away has the best shot at getting to Worlds based on points. They had 90 in the Spring. By making it to playoffs, they're guaranteed at least 20 more. So there's 110.

Gravity and CLG can only finish with up to 100 points if they finish in 2nd. So they can't get in on points.

Impulse only stands a chance if they finish 2nd and TSM finishes in 5th or 6th.

Liquid is guaranteed at least a 4th place finish. So they get at least 40 points, but 40 isn't enough to get to Worlds on points in the region (50+40=90, TSM guaranteed at least 110). If Liquid finishes 3rd, they would need TSM to finish in 5th-6th to get in on points. If Liquid finishes 2nd, they would need TSM to finish 4th or lower.

So basically. TSM is guaranteed a trip to Worlds if they win 2 series. They can W/W/? or W/L/W, but as long as they do either, they are in at Worlds on points.

The other good thing for the TSM fans of the world is this: even if they don't get the most points and get the free trip to Worlds, they still are guaranteed at least the 3rd most points in the region. Which means they will only have to win, at a maximum, 2 series in the gauntlet. The other positive is that the only way TSM can finish with the 3rd most points is if TiP finishes 2nd, TL finishes 3rd, and TSM finishes 5th-6th. If anything other than those exact results occur, TSM finishes with the 2nd highest points and only has to win 1 series in the gauntlet to qualify.

So for all those TSM fanbois and fangrills out there, don't fret. You should, in all likelihood, see TSM at Worlds.

Unless they continue to play like they have been the last few weeks.....

vR DemolishingAug 8, 20154 votes

I love that you just analyzed the whole thing, just for TSM. Great post, upvote!

EasyrealJul 30, 201527 votes

C9 Gauntlet run Incoming

CantripsAug 14, 20152 votes

#choochoo #C9WIN

paulsworldohyaJul 30, 201520 votes

I wanna see C9 make it and just have a crazy end to the playoffs.

NA DannyJul 31, 201516 votes

CLG taking this split boys.

InfantrySheriffJul 31, 201530 votes

smoke another one friend.

Matt9433Aug 6, 20153 votes

This season is the golden age for CLG. They have shown great improvement except for a few minor falls. CLG has a very high chance of making it.

LawjikAug 6, 20153 votes

thats what every clg fanboy says about every split

Raise The GnarAug 8, 20154 votes

The difference is that CLG has the easy half of the bracket as well as MAKING IT TO THE SEMIFINALS! Something we haven't done since Season 4 Spring Split with what was, I would say, the best of our former rosters. Nien Dexter Link Double Aphro. Now we've made it to semis with a new better roster. Zion, Xmithie, Pobelter, Double, Aphro. I believe this roster has what it takes to make it to worlds.

Except MAYBE dexter for xmithie that one may be a downgrade but I support every change CLG makes cuz I have faith. The only change I don't support CLG doing is not taking Spirit when he WANTED to join CLG! A korean jungler wanted to join CLG and they shot him down >:(

Amastris DratwkaAug 1, 201514 votes

I wish that Riot would pay attention to proper organization of competitve eSports. It's too bad that the developers who run EU & NA leagues are not as professionally organized as China or Korea, or Garena for that matter. I appreciate their casters and analysts and the broadcasts themselves but, if for financial reasons, they are in no way capable to expand their competitive leagues they will never be able to be comparably competitive to the other regions and the teams they have in their leagues will never be placed as high up on the scouting ladder.

Solo Q or even scrimming is no comparison to actual on stage competitive play. Anyone who has been involved in any competitive sport understands this, not just in eSports. When LCK gets 13 weeks of Bo3s then LPL gets 11 weeks of Bo2s, how do you compare LCS EU/NA's league with 8 weeks of Bo1s. While the rest of the most competitive teams are still playing for their spot in their league's playoffs at the end of August, beginning of September, the LCS will have already completed their playoffs and get to wait around until October for Worlds. While the other major regions are still keeping themselves freshly competitive and maintaining their drive and stamina up until the World Championships, LCS teams get to scrim and Solo Q and lose whatever momentum they could be gaining, not to mention that playoffs will be their only "practice" of best of anything more than 1 game per day.

It's a great improvement to see that Riot has LCS teams requiring sub players on their rosters as well as a coaching staff. It's sad they aren't as able to utilize those "subs" like other regions have learned. It's a testament to the top LCS teams who have finally learned they need to employ more than just a Coach & Manager to lead their teams. It doesn't surprise me at all that the Top teams have now started to employ "Sports Psychologists" as well as "Team Scouters" and "Analysts" who aren't just there to make sure the team players are "doing their job". Competitive sports teams, outside of eSports, have grown and learned this lesson.

It's nice to see that eSports is trying to grow itself. It still has a long way to go, and an understanding that "fair play" means that all leagues should be "equal" across the board. It is the same concept as a Pro League versus, say, FIFA or The Tour de France. The players may play in other leagues but they all have to EQUALLY qualify for the big game and play the tournament through at the same level. Not every match or race should earn you "tournament points" if they cannot meet the high standards of every region. Much like on the Rift, everyone should start at zero and have the same opportunity to get to #1. Hamstringing certain regions doesn't make the whole tournament competitive. The results become completely obvious, the region with the best infrastructure wins. It's no longer entertaining. It's boring and predictable and those outside the preferred region will always be heartbroken and disappointed with nothing to really look forward to other than the blind fanbase love who will cheer their team no matter what the outcome. It's like being a Boston Red Sox fan during the drought. How many decades will it take Riot to help its other regions to be more competitive?

MagearnaAug 1, 20153 votes

I agree with you. The other regions have far more practice/games under their belt. The only way NA/EU is gonna catch up is if we extend how many games per split we play. I feel as if the other regions play a bit TOO MANY games (it may tire them out, that's just my opinion), but as it is now, we don't play far enough games.

MagearnaAug 1, 20153 votes

To add on:

The more games a region plays, the better they get at strategizing (sp?), and the number one spot is awarded more fairly because there are more games being judged.

And to anyone trying to counter his point about scrims: they get 1 hour of scrim time. That's nowhere near enough time to professionally practice.

KrakdantagolAug 1, 20153 votes

The more games a region plays, the better they get at strategizing (sp?), and the number one spot is awarded more fairly because there are more games being judged.

I do not completely agree with that. Look at previous LCS splits: teams were playing 28 games, which is 10 more than now, and they were playing each team 4 times (and sometimes 4 teams in a week-end). What we got at the end was pointless games to watch and absolutely no specific preparations for the opponent.

Bo2s/Bo3s are what enables better strategising as well as preparation, and not playing too many opponents the same week (which is relatively implied by Bo2s/Bo3s unless games are spaced out over severall days - I know we sometimes see LPL teams playing 3 opponents in a week, which is bad), particularly when it's not simple Bo1s is what enables and encourages to prepare specifically for an opponent.

Tailoring preparation for an opponent when it's Bo1 has much less effect, as Bo1 format is very vulnerable to "cheese" (group stage at worlds is essentially Bo2 for that matter as both games are played the same week and on the same patch). And tailoring preparation for an opponent is very expensive when you play multiple opponents the same week and you have only one week of preparation (which is why LPL teams playing sometimes 3 teams the same week is bad.

Too many games during the season can be bad and actually lead to exhaustion, and it was one of the bad side of LCS previous seasons, coupled with the fact that Spring season meant nothing, it was Bo1s, and teams could be facing 4 other teams in a single week due to the "super weeks".

TL;DR: for a region to really progress as a whole, Bo2s or Bo3s are required, and teams should not play multiple teams the same week (playing 2 different teams the same week occasionally is OK, but not every week, and 3 teams the same week is really too much).

A while ago, OGN format (Bo3 groups of 4 then tournament) was the best for region improvement, and they played less games than other regions (even teams in the final); it was best because each match counted a lot, it was a "best of" format, and they had time to tailor their preparation for one specific opponent.

LCS has seen a good improvement in its format, and what we need now is a "best of" format. Even without changing the number of games, i.e. playing Bo2s with both games back to back, facing each team once (like S5, but on the same day) would help improve EU/NA level overall. Bo2s/Bo3s facing each other twice might be better in a way, though it could lead to player exhaustion and be actually detrimental to improvement; To do this best it would however require to extend split durations like in LCK, and possibly extend the time between two splits (possibly reducing a bit the off-season which is very long for teams not attending worlds and for teams relegated at the end of Summer).

Amastris DratwkaAug 2, 20154 votes

I think essentially you are saying the same thing as me and I agree with most of it. Even if it's probably already been talked up enough, I wanted to expand on your concept of Bo2s, Bo3s:

I was really happy when Riot required the RULE changes for S5 that required every region to have a coach and a minimum sub roster for each team. I don't know if it was merely the fact that LCS team owners wanted to milk their team as much as they could without providing the minimum, but it was good to see that Riot understood the pro players needed support equal to the other successful regions to be competitive whether a team's management wanted to shell out the money or not. Note from the beginning of LCK/OGN most pro teams had two squads competing, and the ability to swap out players amongst their group made it easier to create and develop super teams like SSW. Better farming system, better infrastructure. The rule disallowing 2 teams in pro league was a counter to that because LCS doesn't have the infrastructure to create that scene at the moment.

The other thing you mentioned was the "Circuit Points" system. I was, again, very happy when Riot implemented Circuit Points into S5 for the LCS. From the very beginning LCK/OGN has had the Circuit Point/Gauntlet system. It's this system that forces heavy competition and constant improvement. If you have a throw away split that doesn't count, 1 team, and Bo1s this is what I call "hamstringing" as compared to the other regions.

As far as games played. I agree that too many games does not equal competitiveness. It's the style that counts. The LCK/OGN set up Bo3s from the beginning. It doesn't matter if the amount of games played are equal to the standard LCS season as it stands. It's the format of those games that counts. Even if you are playing 2 games per week, playing one game going home then playing another the next day against a different team gives you very little method to improve from moment to moment in the way other regions are being afforded. You just cannot compare Bo1s to 2s or 3s. You simply cannot.

Again, like I mentioned about the Boston Red Sox concept, I appreciate that Riot has made marked improvement from S4 to S5 in LCS infrastructure but it's still baby steps. It is still not fully comparable to the most successful regions in League of Legends pro play. If it's not =equal= then it becomes boring and predictable. The team with the best farming, management, & league system and infrastructure will win. The idea about whose the best etc is just fan base memes that have really no serious weight in the discussion. It doesn't matter how much you want your region to win, when they are put at a disadvantage from the beginning, barring a miracle, the outcome is 100% predictable.... meaning a CN vs K final is the result... [I'd like to think Origen, Fanatic, CLG, or TL can pull out an upset, but with the idea of waiting around for the other leagues to finish with playing 1 round of Bo5s only twice in the next month and most likely one, but at the most three Bo3s/Bo5s whatever the regional qualifier format will be won't keep them as fresh and competitive as China or Korea.

AccioAug 7, 20153 votes

Yeah, I like OGN/LCK's setup, but it seems like LPL teams play way too many games to the point where a lot of them aren't very meaningful. Looking at Spring Split, it seemed that late in the season, teams didn't really care too much because they were already solidified at their spot in the standings, so it was more or less like having glorified scrims. It's not really good for viewers or players when the games mean next to nothing.

IntruderCZJul 30, 20157 votes

C9 will be in Gauntlet no matter what. They secure thier place here by ending second at Spring. Even at most unreal scenario when most possible number of teams get above them, at least one will always end below them. Mean secure 5th place with 70 CP

IntruderCZJul 30, 20151 votes

[deleted]

IntruderCZJul 30, 20151 votes

[deleted]

Cave Man DaddyJul 31, 20154 votes

They lose their points because of being chanced Relegated. They mentioned it constantly during LCS streams

thunderxJul 31, 20156 votes

No, thats not possible. Playing relegations means you lose any points earned last split.

IntruderCZJul 31, 20156 votes

Aha, again I turn a little smarter. Thanks for the correction. Deleting wrong posts

TrollFan01Jul 31, 20157 votes

TSM/CLG finals and CLG will make an epic gauntlet run.

cjconwayJul 31, 201519 votes

CLG winning games that matter? might as well talk about unicorns man

TrollFan01Jul 31, 20155 votes

We'll see. I'm hoping for a TSM/CLG grand final to see how much they can hype the shit out of it in the biggest match of NA.

InfantrySheriffJul 31, 201513 votes

I would like to see another LIQUID V TIP, that game was amazing, best game of the split hands down.

LazerFruitJul 31, 201511 votes

TSM isn't making it to the finals, even if they manage to beat gravity they then have to beat liquid, who are way stronger than them

NVRWINS91Jul 31, 20156 votes

How do you figure they are way stronger....TSM and liquid went 1-1 on the split and the only reason liquid won the 2nd is b/c the crazy lucky baron steal by piglet

MagearnaAug 1, 20159 votes

TSM has been looking consistently poor the last several weeks. TL has made a better case for them being in the playoffs by having a stronger second half of the season

DanjojopojoAug 6, 20156 votes

Hi! CLG fan here. That being said I still think TSM beats any NA team in a best of 5 series.

Matt9433Aug 6, 20158 votes

Calling yourself a CLG fan after rooting for their rival... the disgrace.

OHminusJul 31, 20151 votes

This system is bad... why not reward teams like Origen/GV and punish teams like TSM/C9? Origen/GV are clearly better than TSM and C9 right now, but TSM/C9 has a better chance of making worlds with the way this system is set up. NA should be: TL GV and TIP EU should be: FNC ORG and H2K/UOL

p0psiclesJul 31, 201511 votes

They do reward teams like Origen and GV. If either of those teams wins the Summer Split they automatically get the first seed in the region. Also, the standings in summer split are worth more championship points than spring. So if Origen or GV finish well in the playoffs then they are basically guaranteed to get into the end of season regional gauntlet.

On the other hand, if they don't do well in the playoffs and don't win or get enough CP to overcome two splits of work by other teams they don't really deserve to go to worlds quite frankly.

Once every team gets to the gauntlet then it's game on. If GV can't beat TSM or C9 in the gauntlet they don't deserve to go to worlds. If Origen can't win summer playoffs or the gauntlet then they don't deserve to go to worlds either. One split of being good doesn't mean anything if you can't win your region's playoffs when there are two chances for you to do it.

I hate all of these 'NA should be ___' or 'EU should be ___' people. If you can't be the most consistent team over two splits (IE most championship points) or if you can't be one of the top two in your regions at Bo5 (IE Summer playoffs and summer gauntlet) then you don't deserve anything. Period.

BringBackAHJul 31, 20157 votes

someone got the meaning of the gauntlet, finally I hope to see H2k and OG in worlds, OG then needs the gauntlet

prozak82Jul 31, 20151 votes

its pretty stupid to give the winner of summer playoffs an auto spot at worlds. riot should be rewarding consistency across both splits and give the spots based on championship points. just think how stupid it would be for dignitas to get a spot at worlds after finishing eighth place in spring split.

The LexerJul 31, 201530 votes

So what you're saying is the best team atm can't go to worlds? That's just setting up a region for failure.

CuriousChameleonAug 5, 20152 votes

would it be better if a team that got first place last split but lost some really good players and barely gets 7th but is a terrible team goes to worlds

no, worlds is for the best team at this point in time in the region since you want to make it as competetive as possible

VarijakeAug 6, 20157 votes

I assume you mean Cloud 9. You OBVIOUSLY have not watched any C9 games since the beginning of the season. Based on the form they are in, I think that if they continue this form and win the gauntlet, well, they very much deserve to go to worlds as this year's NA 3rd seed. Saying that a team is terrible because they struggled during the early part of the split? No. They are in great form right now. I think that if they continue at this rate of improvement they will easily be called the best team in NA. Once again. HOWEVER. Before someone starts raging about me mentioning the top spot in NA Power Rankings going to C9, I would like to point out that I also said they need improvement. If they keep going, I see them as a contender in worlds.

You are being very near-sighted about the whole idea of Cloud 9 making worlds. Please remember that any team in NA LCS will completely wreck you, so don't act like you are embarrassed to have a team you don't think is good go to worlds. Right now I honestly think that Cloud 9 will do much better than TSM would if they both were to go to worlds.

Hating is not cool man... Not cool...