LCS teams with Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon

TL;DR

  • LCS partners with HBO Max for unprecedented House of the Dragon integration during 2022 Summer Split
  • Branded Dragon Soul elements and Targaryen banners transform competitive arena aesthetics
  • House of the Dragon explores Targaryen civil war 200 years before Game of Thrones events
  • Partnership demonstrates League of Legends’ leadership in attracting non-endemic sponsors
  • Integration runs through LCS playoffs with strategic timing for maximum audience engagement

The League Championship Series has forged an innovative collaboration with HBO Max to cross-promote the highly anticipated Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. This represents one of the most creative brand integrations in esports history, merging fantasy storytelling with competitive gaming spectacle.

What makes this partnership particularly strategic is its timing and execution. Launching during week five of the 2022 LCS Summer Split ensures maximum visibility among dedicated esports audiences while capitalizing on the pre-release hype surrounding the television series.

Beginning with the fifth week of the 2022 LCS Summer Split, the competitive arena will feature distinctive branded components synchronized with the House of the Dragon trailer debut. The integration includes enhanced visual treatments around the Dragon Soul mechanic, creating thematic connections to the draconic elements central to the show’s narrative.

This promotional alliance extends through the late August LCS playoff matches. The mid lane will showcase Targaryen dragon banners paying homage to the royal family that forms the core of the new series. This visual transformation creates an immersive experience that bridges gaming and entertainment universes.


Among competitive gaming circuits, League of Legends stands apart in its consistent ability to secure sponsorship agreements with brands outside the traditional gaming ecosystem. The HBO collaboration promoting the dark fantasy series House of the Dragon on North American LoL esports programming exemplifies this distinctive capability.

The LCS has progressively refined its approach to brand partnerships, moving beyond simple logo placements to create authentic narrative integrations. This evolution reflects the maturation of esports as a marketing platform capable of delivering sophisticated brand storytelling.

Common mistakes in esports sponsorships include forced integrations that disrupt viewer experience or fail to align with audience interests. The House of the Dragon partnership avoids these pitfalls by leveraging natural thematic connections between dragon-themed game elements and the series’ fantasy setting.

Advanced optimization for similar partnerships involves thorough audience demographic analysis, careful timing around key content releases, and creating interactive elements that enhance rather than interrupt the viewing experience. This approach transforms sponsorships from mere advertising into value-added content.

What is House of the Dragon from the LCS?

House of the Dragon constitutes a fresh television production situated within the Game of Thrones universe, itself adapted from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire literary series.

Game of Thrones chronicles numerous pivotal characters embroiled in a catastrophic civil war across the continent of Westeros. The narrative commences approximately fifteen years following the conclusion of a separate conflict that resulted in a coalition deposing the enduring Targaryen monarchy. The Targaryen lineage maintained extended sovereignty over Westeros primarily through their unique capacity to control dragons, though this advantage gradually dissipated across generations.


The newly partnered House of the Dragon series occurs two centuries prior to these documented events and tracks a succession dispute within the Targaryen bloodline, known historically as the Dance of the Dragons. The storyline pursues multiple Targaryen family members as they compete for royal supremacy. It will additionally incorporate other notable personalities from A Song of Ice and Fire mythology along with predecessors of significant characters.

Understanding the historical context enhances appreciation for the LCS integration. The Targaryen banners in the mid lane symbolically represent the family’s historical dominance, while the Dragon Soul branding connects to their most formidable weapons. This layered approach demonstrates how esports partnerships can educate audiences while entertaining them.

This partnership establishes a new benchmark for creative brand collaborations in competitive gaming. The strategic alignment between dragon-themed game mechanics and a dragon-centric television series creates organic synergy that resonates with both gaming and entertainment enthusiasts.

House of the Dragon commences broadcasting on August 21, 2022. For precise scheduling information, consult the official HBO programming guide.

The timing of this collaboration represents a masterclass in cross-promotional strategy. By launching during the Summer Split and continuing through playoffs, the partnership maintains consistent visibility during peak viewership periods while building anticipation for the series premiere.

Industry professionals should note the calculated risk-taking involved in such integrations. While traditional marketers might hesitate to blend entertainment and gaming so explicitly, the shared thematic elements and overlapping audience demographics make this a particularly astute collaboration.

Future partnerships could learn from this model by identifying natural thematic connections, planning integrated content calendars, and creating visual elements that enhance rather than distract from the core experience. For those interested in deeper gaming strategies, our Complete Guide offers comprehensive insights into modern gaming ecosystems.

Action Checklist

  • Analyze audience demographics and interests for thematic alignment opportunities
  • Identify natural connection points between gaming mechanics and partner content
  • Coordinate launch timing with key content releases and peak viewership periods
  • Design integrated visual elements that enhance rather than disrupt viewer experience
  • Measure engagement metrics and adjust integration strategies accordingly

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