No Regional Rotation in LoL HoL

Riot Confirms No Regional Rotation for Hall of Legends in LoL Esports

Riot Games has made it clear: the Hall of Legends in League of Legends will not follow any regional rotation or priority system for future inductions. Chris Greeley, Head of LoL Esports, addressed this in a recent interview with Chinese outlet People’s Esports, where he discussed the Hall of Legends, the return of in-game team emotes, and the future of the Fearless Draft format.

Hall of Legends: No Regional Priority

The Hall of Legends honors the most legendary League of Legends players in history, with Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok and Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao being the first two inductees. According to Greeley, the next player will be added in 2026 — but there’s no plan to rotate between regions like North America, Europe, Korea, or China. Instead, judging panels in each region will decide who deserves the honor based purely on competitive performance.

Greeley also highlighted that the Hall of Legends isn’t just about recognition; it’s part of Riot’s long-term strategy to boost financial stability for partnered teams. Proceeds from Hall of Legends sales are pooled globally to support organizations worldwide. Riot keeps 30% of the revenue, while the rest goes to the inducted player and the teams they’ve represented.

For Uzi, that includes Royal Never Give Up (RNG), though he’s currently in a legal dispute with the organization. Specific financial details of the split haven’t been publicly shared.

Team Emotes Returning for Worlds 2025

Fans of in-game flair will be happy to know that LoL Esports team emotes are making a comeback. Greeley confirmed they’ll launch during Worlds 2025, which will be hosted in China from October 14 to November 9, spanning Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. While Riot hasn’t confirmed which teams will receive emotes or the exact release date, it’s a move expected to boost fan engagement during the tournament.

Greeley also stressed Riot’s focus on creating new ways to connect the esports scene with the in-game experience. By boosting the interaction between pro teams and the player base, Riot hopes to unlock fresh revenue opportunities for esports partners while giving fans more reasons to celebrate their favorite organizations.

The Fearless Draft’s Strong Reception

One of the biggest competitive changes this year was the introduction of the Fearless Draft — a format where champions already picked in a series can’t be selected again. Designed to push creativity and encourage a more diverse meta, the format has been well-received by both teams and viewers.

Greeley revealed that Riot surveyed teams from the five major LoL regions, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. “Almost everyone wanted to keep the Fearless Draft going forward,” he said, noting how it led to more exciting games and champion variety.

However, while the response was strong, Riot isn’t locking it in permanently just yet. The format’s long-term place in competitive play will be reassessed before the 2026 season. If adopted fully, it could significantly boost strategic depth in League of Legends esports.

The State of LoL Esports The interview also touched on the current state of League of Legends esports. Some believe the scene has slowed in growth, but Greeley sees it differently. He described the ecosystem as having reached a more sustainable phase, with regional and team consolidations leading to a more manageable structure. Rather than chasing unchecked expansion, Riot appears to be focusing on stability — a move they believe will help the scene rank among the most enduring esports in history.

Greeley even expressed hope that fans today could one day watch matches with their children and grandchildren, a vision that hinges on keeping LoL’s competitive ecosystem healthy for decades to come.

Looking Ahead to Worlds 2025 in China

All eyes now turn to Worlds 2025, the crown jewel of the League of Legends esports calendar. As the most-watched esports event in the West, it’s set to deliver high production value, intense matches, and memorable moments.

Greeley teased a “spectacular opening ceremony,” though details remain under wraps. Could we see the return of live Elder Dragon effects like the iconic 2017 finals in Beijing’s Bird’s Nest? Riot isn’t saying — but with the event returning to China, expectations are sky-high.

With the Hall of Legends expanding, the Fearless Draft gaining momentum, and fan engagement tools like team emotes making a comeback, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for LoL esports. If Riot’s vision holds true, the scene could see a new wave of competitive depth and fan interaction — boosting not just the game’s current audience, but ensuring its place at the top of the esports world for years to come.

 

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