EMEA Masters 2025: Three-Split Format, Fearless Draft, and Complete Tournament Details Revealed

TLDR:

Three tournaments in 2025: Winter (16 teams), Spring (32 teams), and Summer (44 teams)
Winter Split introduces Fearless Draft system, starting March 17
New GSL Group Stage format with regional protection
13 ERLs competing with evolving slot distribution across splits
Increased focus on cross-regional matchups
Content creators and veterans joining the ERLs

Revolutionary Format Changes

The EMEA Masters ecosystem is undergoing its most significant transformation yet for 2025. Aligning with the LEC’s structure and the game’s ranked seasons, the tournament circuit will now feature three major events throughout the year, each growing in scale and complexity.

Winter Split: A New Beginning

The inaugural tournament of 2025 kicks off on March 17, bringing several groundbreaking changes to the competitive format.

Format Highlights:

16 teams total (all ERL champions plus three second seeds)
Introduction of Fearless Draft system
GSL Group Stage with regional protection
Best-of-three matches in groups
Single elimination playoffs for top 8 teams

The Winter Split marks the first implementation of Fearless Draft in tier-two competition, where teams cannot use the same champion twice within a match series. This innovation aims to showcase team adaptability and expand strategic diversity.

Spring Split: Expanding Horizons

The Spring tournament doubles the competition field while maintaining the structural integrity of the Winter format.

Key Changes:

32 participating teams
Standard drafting rules return
Six leagues receive three slots each
Remaining leagues get two slots
16-team playoff bracket with best-of-five matches

Summer Split: The Grand Finale

The culminating event of 2025 presents the most extensive EMEA Masters tournament to date, featuring 44 teams in a multi-stage competition.

Tournament Structure:

Last Chance Qualifier
16 teams in region-protected groups
Best-of-three matches
Four teams advance to Swiss Stage
Swiss Stage
32 teams compete
Cross-regional matchups
Teams with equal records face off
Four wins needed to advance
Playoffs
Top 16 teams
No regional protection
Single elimination
Best-of-five matches throughout

Regional League Participation

Thirteen ERLs will compete throughout the 2025 season:

Major Regions

La Ligue Française (LFL) – France
Turkish Championship League (TCL)
Prime League (PRM) – Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Superliga (SL) – Spain

Emerging Regions

Rift Legends (RL) – Poland and Baltics
Northern League of Legends Championship (NLC) – UK and Nordics
League of Legends Italian Tournament (LIT)
Arabian League (AL)
Hellenic League (HLL) – Greece and Cyprus
Liga Portuguesa (LPLOL)
Hitpoint Masters (HM) – Czech Republic and Slovakia
Esports Balkan League (EBL)
Road of Legends (ROL) – BeNeLux

Slot Distribution Evolution

The tournament structure ensures fair representation while rewarding historical performance:

Winter Split

All 13 ERLs send their champions
Top three historical performers get additional second seeds

Spring Split

Six top ERLs receive three slots each
Remaining leagues get two slots
Based on past two years’ performance

Summer Split

Base three slots for all regions
Five best-performing leagues get fourth slot
Total of 44 team slots

Enhanced Viewing Experience

Riot Games has confirmed several improvements to the viewer experience:

Comprehensive coverage on Twitch and lolesports.com
All group stage matches will be best-of-three
Elimination of best-of-one games
Regional protection, ensuring cross-regional matchups
Enhanced broadcast production

The Winter Split begins March 17, marking the start of what promises to be the most ambitious year in EMEA Masters history. Fans can catch all the action live on twitch.tv/emeamasters and follow updates on @EMEAmasters.

Stay tuned for more details about specific matchups and participating teams as we approach the Winter Split kickoff.