TL;DR
- The 2021 LCS features a refreshed on-air team with seven new additions including former pro players
- All ten franchised teams return with significant roster changes and organizational updates
- Season begins January 15 with Lock In tournament followed by February 5 spring split
- New format connects entire season making every match impactful for championship standings
- $150,000 prize pool kicks off competitive calendar with two-week preseason tournament
Riot Games has completely refreshed the broadcast lineup for the 2021 LCS season, blending experienced veterans with exciting new voices to enhance viewer experience.
Just days before the inaugural Lock In tournament commences, the complete on-air roster was unveiled featuring seven notable additions. The talent infusion includes esports journalist Emily Rand transitioning from ESPN, analytical expert Barento “Razleplasm” Mohammed from the English LPL broadcast, and former professional competitors Hai “Hai” Lam and Kieran “Allorim” Logue bringing player perspectives. Supporting roles will feature Derrick “PRIMAL” Asiedu, production specialist Kien Lam, and strategic insights from Team Liquid’s head coach Jake “Spawn” Tiberi during key matchups.
We are excited to announce the on-air talent team that will be bringing you the #LCS in 2021! #MadeByMany pic.twitter.com/fJvkJpS3oX
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) January 6, 2021
While specific assignments for all newcomers remain unconfirmed, industry insiders anticipate Razleplasm will provide color commentary leveraging his deep game knowledge, while Emily Rand’s analytical background positions her perfectly for desk analysis duties. Her transition from written journalism to live broadcast represents a strategic move to deepen tactical discussions during matches.
The talent announcement closely followed the LCS’s comprehensive visual rebranding initiative for 2021. The modernization effort introduced a cleaner, simplified logo that reflects the league’s maturation. Broadcast enhancements will incorporate updated graphics packages, refreshed studio sets, and potentially new segment formats to maintain viewer engagement throughout extended broadcasts.
Beyond aesthetic upgrades, the competitive structure undergoes significant transformation. The newly implemented format, initially revealed last year, creates a cohesive seasonal narrative rather than segmented splits. This architectural change ensures every regular season match influences championship qualification, addressing previous criticism about meaningless mid-season games.
The Lock In tournament serves as both competitive warm-up and content bridge, offering $150,000 in prizes while allowing teams to test new rosters in meaningful competition before spring split standings begin.
The LCS broadcast goes live for the first time in 2021 on January 15.
Ten organizations comprise the LCS franchise for 2021, all maintaining their league positions following the 2019 franchising implementation. No team ownership changes occurred during the offseason, though multiple organizations underwent substantial rebranding and roster reconstruction.
The LCS teams for 2021 are:
- Team SoloMid
- Team Liquid
- Cloud9
- 100 Thieves
- FlyQuest
- Golden Guardians
- Immortals
- CLG
- Evil Geniuses
- Dignitas
Franchise stability has enabled long-term planning, though roster volatility remains high with numerous player transfers and positional changes affecting competitive balance.
Competitive action launches January 15 with the debut of the Lock In tournament, providing immediate offseason narrative resolution. This two-week competition period allows teams to establish early momentum before the official spring split commences on February 5.
The condensed preseason tournament format offers strategic advantages for organizations integrating new players, as coaching staff can identify synergy issues and strategic gaps before championship points become available.
Spring split then continues the connected season format through mid-year, with every match contributing to playoff qualification and championship advancement opportunities.
Action Checklist
- Mark your calendar for January 15 Lock In tournament start and February 5 spring split commencement
- Research team roster changes using our BF6 Weapons Unlock Guide to understand player weapon preferences
- Familiarize yourself with new on-air talent backgrounds and analytical styles
- Review the new LCS format rules to understand how every match impacts championship standings
- Follow LCS social media for real-time updates on broadcast segments and talent assignments
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Riot introduces LCS on-air team including Hai, Allorim, more Complete guide to the 2021 LCS season featuring new talent, team rosters, and competition schedule