ESL-Riot partnership gives UK teams shot at the big leagues

The ESL UK Premiership will now offer League of Legends teams from the United Kingdom and Ireland the chance to progress into the Challenger Series.

The winner of ESL’s Premiership, which hosts teams from all over the country in a season-long league, will be invited to the European Summer Challenge Qualifiers.

The Qualifiers allow teams from each of the European Regional Leagues to earn a place in the Challenger Series, one division below the top-flight LCS which professional organisations do battle in.

This is something the entire UK ESL team has been striving for and we’re extremely proud to have now achieved this with the help from Riot Games," said ESL UK Managing Director James Dean. "The commitment is essential to continue growth and sustainability of the UK League of Legends esports community, making a passion into a career.”

At the end of each season, Riot will host a promotion/relegation tournament for the bottom 3 LCS teams and the top 2 Challenger teams. The Challenger Series represents the second highest level of professional play in Europe, and the only route for teams into the LCS.