Riot Games has confirmed plans to move the Liga Latinoamérica (LLA) from its current home in Santiago, Chile to Mexico City in 2020.
The move comes after the developer agreed on a deal with Mexican television network Azteca Deportes. It has also partnered with cinema chain Cinemax, which will see the LLA open a live studio at the Mall Artz Pedregal in Mexico City.
The move sees Riot Games merge the Latin America North and Latin America South into a single competition. The developer is having conversations with teams now to decide those that will participate in the 2020 season. Competitors are expected to relocate operations to Mexico.
Riot Games explained in an announcement: “Our players and teams remain a priority in this alliance, and that is why we are having conversations with them and we will be supporting them in the relocation process to Mexico City by 2020.”
Although the week-to-week LLA season will be moving to Mexico, Riot Games has pledged that the LLA will continue to host live events throughout Latin America. The 2019 Spring Split finals were played in Columbia, with the most recent Summer Split finals taking place at the league’s current home of Chile.
Esports Insider says: Whilst less than ideal that the league is having to move after just one year, Riot Games supporting the teams – alongside the increased opportunity and financial investment – should be healthy for the league’s long-term success.