Riot expands LoL Game Changers EMEA season with N.E.O.

Riot Games has expanded the League of Legends Game Changers EMEA circuit to run from May through October 2026 and has partnered with Paris-based agency N.E.O. to operate the season.

The season opens with a kickoff weekend on May 29–31 and will use a points-based, multi-stage format. Teams will earn qualification points across several stages and a cumulative leaderboard will determine standings. The top six teams on the leaderboard will qualify for the October Playoffs, which will include additional teams invited from national inclusive circuits.

Riot and N.E.O. outlined the stage system as a way to reward consistent results across the expanded schedule.

N.E.O. launched in Paris earlier in 2026 and is led by industry veterans Bertrand Amar and Matthieu Dallon. The agency already holds rights to operate other League of Legends properties in Europe, including the EMEA Masters, and runs events such as EVO France and international Rocket League competitions delivered with BLAST.

N.E.O. plans to introduce community broadcasting and co-streaming for Game Changers, allowing local broadcasters and creators to carry matches alongside the official streams.

Riot Games wrote in its announcement: “Building an inclusive and supportive environment for all players is fundamental to what we do. The continuation and evolution of the League of Legends Game Changers goes beyond competition: it’s about actively creating the conditions for women across EMEA to step forward, compete at the highest level, and be seen and recognised for their talent and achievements.”

The formalization of the extended season follows a difficult period for women’s esports. In 2025 the ESL Impact Counter-Strike 2 circuit was suspended. A one-off activation by L’Oréal Paris with FURIA inclusive CS2 roster took place as a brand test in women’s competitive gaming.

Organizers expect the new schedule will create recurring competition windows from late spring into autumn and will culminate in October Playoffs where the highest-performing teams from the leaderboard and invited national circuit representatives will compete for the title.