LEC Kicks Off 2024 Winter Split: What to Expect from Day 1

League of Legends

12 Jan

Foo Zen-Wen

The LEC is the EMEA professional League of Legends league. It currently consists of 10 teams that will play 9 Bo1s over 3 weeks. The LEC begins its Winter Split on the 13th of January, and will run until the 29th of January. The top 8 teams will advance to the Winter Playoffs. The Winter Playoffs consists of a double elimination bracket, played in Bo3 and Bo5 format. More details to come in the following weeks, stay tuned.

This comprehensive viewer guide will list opening matchups for Day 1, complete Week 1 schedule, information on how to watch the streams live, as well as any changes that may be coming for the specific league in 2024. Any roster changes done during the off-season may be cross referenced with our comprehensive Rostermania tracker.

LEC Winter Split 2024 Opening Matchups

G2 Esports vs Team BDS [5pm CET]

The young rookie is starting out with a trial by fire against the Kings of Europe. Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games

G2 Esports come in swinging with their run-it-back roster from 2023. Dominant, ambitious, and hungry to prove themselves; G2 is here to play. In the other corner, we have Team BDS - only change was to the ADC, swapping out Crownie for Ice. Does the rookie have what it takes on the biggest stage in Europe?

SK Gaming vs Rogue [6pm CET]

It all comes down to Larssen vs Nisqy. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

SK Gaming has a new central pivot coming into this split, with a new Jungle-Mid combo to terrorize the Rift. New Jungler Isma is debuting as a replacement for Markoon, and none other than Nisqy as the man of the hour for SK’s triumphant 2024 opening lap. Rogue, having spent a year as KOI, is now back with a new exciting lineup that includes former SK Jungler Markoon and a new rookie Support Zoelys.

Fnatic vs Karmine Corp [7pm CET]

We’d still call Fnatic, but Karmine makes a pretty darn good case with their new lineup. Credit: Lee Aiksoon/Riot Games

Anyone who looks at LEC newcomer Karmine Corp this split will see one of the most intriguing lineups of the year. Not only are there two former Team Vitality alumni in Bo and Upset, but KC’s climb into the LEC showcased superb talent from the region which they have retained heading into 2024. Fnatic on the other hand, have only made one change, swapping out Trymbi for Korean support Jun.

GiantsX vs Team Vitality [8pm CET]

Giant’s actually look really promising, but Vitality’s firepower is undeniable. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

Former Excel roster meets Giants branding with this slightly revamped roster from last split. The main selling point is former NRG support IgNar, who is making a home-coming of sorts to Europe after a long stint in NA. Team Vitality, meanwhile, is attempting to run it back with the former MAD Lions Bot-lane duo of Carzzy and Hylissang and former Excel Mid Vetheo.

MAD Lions KOI vs Team Heretics [9pm CET]

G2 2.0 versus a crew of rookies. Yeahh…we’re gonna call Heretics on this one. Credit: Team Heretics

MAD Lions KOI may have cooked hard with this new rookie lineup of Spanish talent. While individually strong performing players, none of them save Elyoya has been tested at the LEC level, making this a wild gambit for the historically strong performing organization. Heretics, meanwhile, has elected in the opposite direction, calling on former G2 members Wunder, Jankos, and Perkz to form their strong veteran top side.

LEC Winter Split 2024 Week 1 Schedule

Where to Watch LEC Winter Split 2024?

The LEC live-streams all the games and can be watched on Twitch and YouTube in English. Here is a full list for streams in other languages.

Additional Details

Break Extension (+1 Week): Between Winter Split and Spring Split, Between Spring Split and MSI.
Break Reduction (-1 Week): Between Summer Split and LEC Season Finals.
Game Start Times: 5pm CET each show day.
Group Stage and Playoffs Merge
New Points Distribution System for Seasonal Finishes
New Qualification: Summer Playoffs Champion automatic Worlds qualification (lowest seed), 2nd and 3rd place earn automatic LEC Season Finals qualification (regardless of CP/past results)
LEC Player Age Limit Raise: 17 > 18
Read here for full details on all the changes coming for LEC 2024.

LoL Esports is covered by Strafe Esports. All league matches will be covered by daily recaps. Follow Strafe Esports for the latest match results, roster updates and breaking news.

Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games