Tomorrow, we'll have confirmed replacements for Team Coast (NA) and Meet Your Makers (EU).
The Challenger Series is the method that new teams use to make their way into the LCS. It starts with high ranked Challenger teams that qualify based on region and their success on the Challenger Ranked Teams leader. From the initial makeup of 16 teams, 4 teams are chosen to join 2 pre-qualified teams (from the expansion tournament), where they face off in a round robin style (not unlike what we've seen in the LCS) and battle for the chance to challenge low ranked LCS teams--and for one lucky team, a guaranteed spot into the next Split.
This has a dramatic effect on the Summer Split. We could see as many as three teams come up through the ranks and earn their way into the regular 10 team LCS roster. Although traditionally Challenger teams rarely beat out LCS teams, it isn't unheard of--in fact, Unicorns of Love (scheduled to go head to head with SK Gaming this weekend in the EU Semifinals) beat Millennium 3-2 in their promotional tournament to earn a spot in the LCS.
The implications of tomorrow's games looks something like this:
The winners will advance into the LCS (taking the spots of Team Coast for NA and Meet Your Makers for EU).
The 2nd and 3rd place teams will face off against the #8 and #9 spots for a chance to play their way into the LCS. We already know the 3rd place spots for both NA (Team Fusion) and EU (Reason Gaming). The teams that will need to defend their title in the NA LCS are Team Dignitas and Winterfox. Likewise, in the EU ROCCAT and Giants will have to prove their mettle and defeat Challenger teams if they want to keep their place.
The tournament has been a best of 3 for the semifinals and best of 5 for the finals.
Full Schedule and Predictions:
9:00 AM PST - Origen vs Copenhagen Wolves Academy (formerally LowLandLions)
Prior Matchup: 1 - 1
Prediction: 3 - 0 Origen. Origen is made up of a number of former LCS competitors under the direction of xPeke (formerly Fnatic's midlaner). Although LowLandLions have proven to be quite a force through the Spring Season and the playoffs, Origen has the statistics behind them on paper going into this matchup. Although Origen has a chance of conceding a game to LowLandLions, odds are pretty good that they'll sweep the series.
6:00 PM PST - Enemy eSports vs TDK
Prior Matchup: 2 - 0 (Enemy eSports)
Prediction: 3 - 0 Enemy eSports. Like Origen, Enemy has members who are familiar with the LCS stage and have had a great season. Although TDK had a good showing against Team Fusion in their Semifinals, Enemy is coming into this matchup looking like the significantly stronger team. Like the EU Spring Playoffs, there's a good chance that we'll see Enemy sweep the series.
Who do you think will take the automatic promotion into the LCS? Share your predictions in the comments below.
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