TL;DR
- LPL expands to 7-day weekly schedule with same total matches but better distribution
- New team eStar joins league, owned by former IG top laner PDD with strong talent pipeline
- RNG moves from Beijing to Shanghai’s Hongqiao World IE Hub temporarily
- Season runs January 13-February with strategic break after opening week
- Young Miracles continues producing elite LPL talent including world champions
The League of Legends Pro League delivered a major surprise to its global fanbase with comprehensive scheduling adjustments for the upcoming 2020 Spring Split competition period.
This season marks a significant departure from tradition as matches will now occur continuously from Monday through Sunday across ten full weeks of intense competition. This scheduling innovation caught many longtime followers off guard, particularly given the league’s historical practice of maintaining one designated rest day each week for player recovery and preparation.
Despite the seemingly condensed calendar, teams will actually compete in the identical number of total matches throughout the season. Each competition day features two separate best-of-three series, with the initial match commencing approximately 3:00 AM Central Standard Time and the subsequent series beginning at 5:00 AM Central Standard Time.
The competitive action launches on January 13 featuring an explosive opening showdown between reigning champions Invictus Gaming and powerhouse organization FunPlus Phoenix. Following the initial week’s matches, the LPL will observe a strategic seven-day hiatus before resuming competition on February 5 with a highly anticipated clash between Team WE and the 2019 Demacia Cup titleholders Royal Never Give Up.
New teams and locations
The LPL maintains its position as the world’s largest professional League of Legends league with seventeen elite organizations competing for the championship title. eStar represents the most recent franchise addition to the competitive landscape, owned by former Invictus Gaming top lane legend Liu “PDD” Mou, who also operates LDL developmental squad Young Miracles.
Within the League of Legends Development League ecosystem, Young Miracles has established an exceptional reputation for cultivating raw talent that consistently evolves into LPL superstar performers. Notable alumni from this prestigious talent incubator include RNG support specialist Shi “Ming” Sen-Ming, aggressive jungler Li “XLB” Xiao-Long, and World Championship finals Most Valuable Player Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang. eStar has currently confirmed just one roster member: former RNG bottom lane carry Zhang “Wink” Rui, who previously started for the organization during the spring 2019 competitive period.
The intensified competition calendar incorporates significant venue modifications for Royal Never Give Up. During the spring split, RNG will temporarily relocate from their established Beijing arena to compete at the Hongqiao World IE Hub located in Shanghai. The organization is actively progressing through construction phases for an entirely new dedicated training facility and competitive arena designed to enhance long-term performance capabilities.
The 2020 LPL Spring competitive season officially commences on January 13, marking the beginning of an unprecedented scheduling format in professional League of Legends history.
Action Checklist
- Mark calendar for January 13 opening match between IG and FPX
- Adjust viewing schedule for daily 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM CST matches
- Follow eStar’s roster announcements for additional player signings
- Track RNG’s performance at new Shanghai venue for home advantage analysis
- Monitor Young Miracles LDL matches to identify future LPL talent prospects
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » LPL gets new schedule for Spring 2020, runs Monday through Sunday Complete guide to LPL's 2020 Spring Split schedule changes, new teams, and venue updates for esports fans