- Riot Games is taking all necessary precautions to address the surging COVID-19 Delta variant
- The company has decided to move the LCS Championship from the Prudential Center to the LCS Arena in Los Angeles
- Riot has cited health and safety concerns and argued that the LCS Arena is much better in terms of guaranteeing staff and players' safety
The LCS Championship will have to take place at the much safer LCS Arena in Los Angeles due to COVID-19 cases.
Riot to Relocate LCS Championship for Fears of COVID-19
Riot Games and the LCS have agreed to not host the LCS Championship at the Prudential Center in the United State due to COVID-19 fears, with cases surging globally once again. Instead, the company will move the event to the LCS Arena in Los Angeles, which is presumably safer.
However, no live audience will be allowed as the company wants to limit the spreading of the infection which still threatens economies and the sustainability of physical esports events. By making concessions today, the LCS Championship is hoping to make it possible for live esports events to return sooner.
The announcement comes as a disappointment to the thousands of fans who were hoping to attend the event in person. However, the recent surge in the Delta virus variant has put many entertainment organizations on the defensive, including esports.
“Given the current state of affairs, we cannot in good conscience conduct a massive fan event at this time,” the statement by the company read. While the LCS Championship will have to do without live audiences, Riot Games is confident that future events can still continue as scheduled for the time being.
All ticket holders will receive full refunds. Riot Games will keep in touch with Prudential Center to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Previously, the ESL Pro League 14 announced that it is switching to an online format for fears of forcing players and audiences to attend as COVID-19 cases continue to climb globally.
The announcement comes as a disappointment to the thousands of fans who were hoping to attend the event in person. However, the recent surge in the Delta virus variant has put many entertainment organizations on the defensive, including esports.
“Given the current state of affairs, we cannot in good conscience conduct a massive fan event at this time,” the statement by the company read. While the LCS Championship will have to do without live audiences, Riot Games is confident that future events can still continue as scheduled for the time being.
All ticket holders will receive full refunds. Riot Games will keep in touch with Prudential Center to ensure that the process goes smoothly. Previously, the ESL Pro League 14 announced that it is switching to an online format for fears of forcing players and audiences to attend as COVID-19 cases continue to climb globally.
