Game publisher Riot Games has unveiled its new look North American Challenger League (NACL), the region’s tier-two League of Legends competition.
For Summer 2023, the competition will feature 10 teams competing for $100,000 (~£81,000) in prize money. Alongside returning teams, such as some LCS academy rosters, the league will also see creator-led esports organisation Disguised (DSG) make its League of Legends debut.
Owned by popular content creator Jeremy ‘Disguised Toast’ Wang, DSG previously only had a VALORANT roster which competes in the VCT North American Challengers League.
The mid-season changes in the NACL, which include a new format and revenue-sharing opportunities, follow recent controversial changes to the rules that allowed LCS organisations to opt out of fielding an academy roster.
Out of the 10 LCS teams, only three have decided to continue to operate Academy teams in this split of the NACL: Evil Geniuses, FlyQuest and Team Liquid.
The rule change has led the LCS Players Association (LCSPA) to reportedly ask its members to vote on a walkout.
The NACL Summer Split will feature a six-week regular season and a double elimination play-off bracket. The finals will take place offline at the Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles.
Riot Games, alongside esports company Rally Cry, will also implement NACL partner revenue sharing for all participants. Further details surrounding the revenue-sharing model have not been disclosed.
The full list of participants are AOE Gold, Cincinnati Fear, Disguised, Evil Geniuses Challengers, FlyQuest Challengers, Maryville University, Supernova, Team Fish Taco, Team Liquid Honda Challengers and Wildcard. The NACL will feature relegation with the bottom two teams having to compete in the promotion tournament to gain re-entry.
