LCS Championship to take place in Newark with a live audience

Riot Games announced on July 9 that the League of Legends Championship Series 2021 will take place in Newark, New Jersey from August 28 to August 29. The event will welcome back on-site press and a live LCS audience for the first time since 2019 Summer Finals in Detroit, Michigan. 

Prudential Center to host LCS Championship 2021

The venue for championship weekend will be the Prudential Center, home of the NHL’s New Jersey Devils. The arena is also right next door to Dignitas QNTMPAY’s 3,000 square-foot production studio and training facility. 

While they’re still finalizing details, organizers are planning for a Fan Fest that will host various weekend activities around and outside of the area. Festivities will take place on both days before matches start and will include food, games, merch and other activities. LCS teams and sponsors are hosting events for ticket-holding fans. 

The press release presented to Upcomer didn’t mention mandatory vaccinations for attendees. That said, Riot strongly encourages all attendees  to receive COVID-19 vaccinations before attending the LCS Championship, if they haven’t done so already. A separate announcement detailing relevant safety protocols will release closer to the event, but for now information on the Prudential Center’s health and safety guidelines can be found here. 

LCS Championship debut

This event will be the premiere of the LCS Championship, which was first announced at the beginning of 2021 as a part of the new LCS season format. The eight-team double-elimination tournament begins with playoffs on August 7. This will decide which three teams head to China to represent North America in the 2021 World Championship. The lower bracket final match plays on Saturday, August 28, and the grand finals will be on Sunday, August 29.

In a recent interview with Upcomer, Riot Games Head of NA and OCE and Interim LCS Commissioner Chris Greely stated that the LCS Arena in Santa Monica, California isn’t slated to host a live audience until 2022. 

Tickets for the LCS Championship can be purchased here. To buy a ticket, fans must also agree to comply with Federal, State, and Local health guidelines while in attendance.