Riot removes caps on prize pools, sponsorship for community LoL

Riot Games has overhauled its community competition guidelines, removing caps on prize pools, sponsorship revenue, entry fees and spectator fees and replacing a tiered licence system with a single global framework. The update applies across Riot-supported regions and languages and covers events built around Summoner’s Rift, Arena, League of Legends Classic and future game modes.

Under the new framework, most community organisers no longer need Riot’s prior approval to stage an event. Riot wrote the framework is intended to support organisers running local LANs, college tournaments and online brackets, provided they operate independently and in good faith.

Riot added an optional visibility form organisers are encouraged to submit. Riot noted entries will help shape future support programmes, spotlights and organiser resources.

Several restrictions specific to multi-state high school competitions and many college-tournament rules have been removed. Riot eliminated limits on competition duration, lifted rules restricting sponsorship or sanctioning by esports governing bodies, and removed caps on the number of colleges allowed at a single event.

Not all organisers are included under the new licence. Government entities and state-owned organisations, corporate brands without an established tournament-organising history, and professional League of Legends Esports teams and players operating under separate agreements must continue to work directly with Riot.

Community broadcasts remain barred from linear television. Organisers may charge spectator or access fees on the streaming platform of their choice.

Riot retained a royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, adapt and distribute footage from any competition run under the guidelines for its promotional purposes. The company also maintained a list of restricted sponsor categories that cannot be attached to community events; the list includes gambling and sportsbook operators, cryptocurrency and NFT businesses, alcohol and tobacco products, pornography, counterfeit or illegal virtual item marketplaces, firearms, and political campaigns or affiliated advocacy groups.

The update follows a similar change Riot made recently to its community competition guidelines for VALORANT. Riot framed both updates as part of a broader adjustment in how it supports grassroots and community-level esports.