Take your first step on the path to pro

In August, we announced the inaugural NA Scouting Grounds, taking place November 13-19. As the date draws near, let’s review some key info and important details for fans and aspiring pros alike.

Event Overview

The top 20 unsigned players (top 4 from each role) from NA Ranked will be invited to compete. Coaches and staff from Counter Logic Gaming, Echo Fox, Immortals, and Team Liquid will be on hand to scout the LCS hopefuls through an initial round of scrimmages with invited players playing on randomized teams. For the remainder of the Scouting Grounds, designated representatives from the four professional teams on hand - the Scout Team Captains - will draft the players into four teams.

Once drafted, players will get individual and team coaching from LCS coaches and players, as well as exposure to LCS-style practice/scrims. Following this practice, the teams will compete in a tournament to show off both their individual skills and their ability to learn and adapt. Invited players will also tour Riot HQ, attend media training and workshops on contracts, have headshots taken and stats profiles developed for them before they leave LA with an armful of sweet LoL swag.

Fan Experience

Want a glimpse of potential future stars of the NA LCS? You can follow the NA Scouting Grounds at youtube.com/lolesports. We’ll provide VODs for the games played throughout the tournament. For the Finals, our broadcast team will bring you fully produced VODs complete with commentary from our team of casters and analysts.

Scouting Grounds Eligibility

If you’re a Master+ rated player and want to compete, here’s everything you’ll need to know to score an invite to the 2016 Scouting Grounds. In order to be eligible you must:

• Respond to the survey sent out on Oct 17.
• Be 16 years or older by the start of the 2017 Challenger Series spring split (early January).
• Not have played more than 2 professional LoL matches in any league.
• Not be under contract by any professional team - Challenger Series teams included.
• Be considered a North American resident as determined by the Interregional Movement Policy 
• Be able to pass a behavior check similar to NA LCS and NA CS players. Behavior check will include a review of in-game behavior, Terms of Service violations and looks at previous bans or suspensions.

Key dates for your calendars:

• Oct. 17 - We’ll send an e-mail from a riotgames.com address containing a survey to all Master and Challenger players on the North American server by 12:00 PM PT. Be sure to review and verify your account details; we’ll send your invitation to the e-mail address associated with your account. You will need to respond to the survey to be eligible to receive an invitation.
• Oct. 31 - The ladder locks at 12:00 PM PT on Monday, October 31. We’ll send out invitations to the top four players from Masters/Challenger in each position (Top, Jungle, Mid, ADC, Support), as well as several alternates in the event that somebody can’t go. We’ll also contact the top players located within 60 miles of the LCS Studio to serve as emergency subs in the event of a last-minute cancellation.
• Nov. 13 - Invited players arrive in Los Angeles.
• Nov. 14 - Event begins.
• Nov. 18 - Tournament finals held in the LCS Battle Theater.
• Nov. 19 - Players depart L.A.

Riot Games will provide transportation, housing, meals, and swag for the 20 players who attend the event. Keep an eye on your e-mail and if you have any questions, reach out to J.T. Vandenbree (@RiotTiza) or Derek Dennis (@RiotIceChest).