Riot Games has announced the cancellation of the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) for 2020. This news comes after MSI’s rescheduling from May to July. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 situation doesn’t seem like it will allow the tournament to go on as planned, so they have to cancel it entirely.
MSI is MIA
The Global Head of League of Legends Esports, John Needham, explained the reasoning behind this decision. The organization initially hoped that travel restrictions would ease up by July, allowing the tournament to operate as planned. Due to many countries still being affected by the pandemic, this doesn’t seem to be the case. Needham said that “it appears highly unlikely that either the global spread/impact of COVID-19 or the restrictive travel and public gathering policies responding to the crisis will abate significantly by the time of MSI’s current planned dates.”
He also said they have consulted health authorities and local governments on MSI’s future operations, and they “believe this decision was necessary to ensure the health and safety of the players, teams, crew, partners, media, and fans.”
An Update from John Needham, Global Head of Esports:https://t.co/Omqq78jVNh pic.twitter.com/uAIGlBCAUt
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) April 23, 2020
The 12 regional leagues have found ways to keep operating at least. MSI’s new dates were going to force regions to move their Summer Split schedules. However, MSI’s cancellation means each league may continue with the Summer Split uninterrupted. Teams worked hard throughout the Spring Split hoping to represent their region in the Mid-Season Invitational though. This is a disappointment to plenty of organizations who looked towards MSI at the end of the summer.
Regional Seed Allocation
League of Legends teams will now have to start prepping for the Summer Split and the 2020 World Championship, taking place in China. They have linked their regional seed allocation, addressing how many teams will qualify into the event.
Riot Games will continue to share more information on the upcoming events for the 2020 season. Stay tuned to Daily Esports for more updates and news regarding the Summer Split and 2020 Worlds.
