Riot Games announces new Dutch and Belgian leagues for 2020

Riot Games continues its European esports expansion by integrating two new national leagues into the European Masters circuit. The Benelux regional structure undergoes significant transformation as dedicated Dutch and Belgian competitive leagues launch for the 2020 season.

On November 18, Riot’s head of esports for France and Benelux, Damien “Damzee” Ricci, announced a strategic partnership with Belgian digital marketing agency 4Entertainment. This collaboration aims to strengthen the local League of Legends competitive environment throughout the Benelux territory.

The existing Benelux Premier League, encompassing Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, will separate into distinct Dutch League and Belgian League competitions. Both leagues maintain membership within the same regional framework. As Riot intensifies its development of emerging European talent, players from the Benelux area gain dual qualification pathways to reach European Masters tournaments.

Initial league configurations allocate six team slots for both Dutch and Belgian competitions, with confirmed plans for future expansion. Each league distributes €7,500 prize pools during both spring and summer competitive splits, with the four highest-performing teams from each season advancing to European Masters qualification rounds.

Additionally, a National Finals championship event concludes the competitive season, featuring an additional €10,000 prize distribution. This structure provides multiple earning opportunities throughout the year while maintaining competitive integrity across both national leagues.

“We anticipate enthusiastic fan reception for our redesigned regional approach, featuring customized content specifically crafted for local viewership,” Damzee explained in the official announcement. “The Dutch League will stream in Dutch language, while Belgian League coverage will broadcast in both Flemish and French dialects.”

This localization strategy represents Riot’s commitment to authentic regional engagement. By delivering content in native languages, the organization aims to deepen community connections and enhance viewer accessibility across different linguistic demographics within the Benelux region.

Competitors from Benelux nations join players from additional European territories including Nordic countries, Balkan states, Baltic regions, and others contending for European Masters 2020 qualification. The tournament showcases academy squads from throughout Europe competing for shares of the €300,000 total prize pool distributed across annual splits. Participating organizations include Rogue Esports Club, Misfits Premier, Fnatic Rising, and other prominent esports franchises.

This competitive platform offers exceptional opportunities for aspiring professionals seeking contracts with LEC franchise teams to demonstrate their abilities on prestigious competitive stages.

For teams advancing through qualification, strategic preparation becomes essential. Successful squads typically focus on roster consistency, specialized practice regimens, and adapting to meta shifts between regional and international competition levels.

While specific start dates and tournament schedules for the regional competitions remain unannounced, enthusiasts can access live match broadcasts through Twitch and YouTube platforms.

Prospective viewers should monitor official Riot Games esports channels and regional League of Legends social media accounts for upcoming schedule releases and broadcast details.

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