The top teams and players to watch in the new 2021 LCS season

The upcoming 2021 LCS competitive year introduces groundbreaking format changes alongside the most dramatic roster shuffle in league history. With the innovative Lock In tournament launching the season, fans can anticipate an entirely reshaped competitive landscape featuring international superstars, retiring legends, and emerging regional talent.

North American organizations pursued divergent team-building philosophies this offseason—some chasing established global stars while others invested heavily in developmental prospects. This strategic divergence creates compelling narratives around team identity, leadership structures, and long-term development pathways that will define success throughout the competitive calendar.

Understanding these roster dynamics provides crucial context for evaluating early-season performance and identifying which storylines merit closest attention as teams return to Summoner’s Rift.

Can Perkz Elevate Cloud9 to International Relevance?

Luka “Perkz” Perković’s transition from G2 Esports to Cloud9 represents arguably the most significant inter-regional transfer in League of Legends history. The Croatian mid laner’s decision to depart Europe for North America instantly transforms C9’s competitive ceiling and regional standing.

Cloud9’s 2020 campaign concluded with disappointing playoff underperformance despite dominant regular season showings. The organization identified leadership and clutch factor as primary deficiencies—areas where Perkz’s track record shines brightest.

The strategic reunification with former G2 colleagues Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen and coach Alfonso “Mithy” Rodríguez creates immediate synergy advantages. Their shared competitive history dating to 2017 provides built-in communication frameworks and strategic understanding that typically require months to develop.

Perkz’s championship resume—including the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational title and World Championship finals appearance—brings precisely the international pedigree that has consistently eluded LCS representatives. His winning mentality could prove infectious throughout the organization, particularly for developing talents like promoted top laner Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami who stand to benefit tremendously from veteran leadership.

However, seasoned analysts caution against overestimating immediate impact. Adaptation periods for European imports historically range from 3-8 weeks as players adjust to new competitive environments, playstyles, and cultural contexts.

Common integration mistakes include over-reliance on the star player’s shotcalling and failure to establish complementary strategic identities. Teams should balance Perkz’s strengths with development of autonomous decision-making capabilities across the roster.

Navigating the LCS Landscape Without Bjergsen and Doublelift

The simultaneous retirement of Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg and Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng marks the end of an era for North American League of Legends. These iconic figures represented not just competitive excellence but also shaped league narrative, fan engagement, and competitive identity for nearly a decade.

Bjergsen’s transition to TSM’s head coaching role maintains his organizational presence but removes his direct competitive influence—a transition that historically challenges fan connection and team performance.

The leadership vacuum extends beyond individual organizations to affect the entire league’s competitive ecosystem. Doublelift’s absence as North America’s most prominent voice and accomplished domestic competitor creates narrative and leadership opportunities for emerging stars.

TSM’s succession plan features mid laner Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage and bot laner Lawrence “Lost” Hui inheriting monumental expectations. Filling these legendary roles requires not just mechanical skill but assumption of narrative responsibility and media presence.

Common organizational mistakes during legend transitions include over-emphasis on replication rather than evolution, and failure to establish new team identities distinct from retired stars’ legacies.

Optimization strategies for teams navigating post-legends eras involve deliberate identity construction, distributed leadership models, and strategic patience during adjustment periods typically lasting 4-10 weeks.

OCE Player Integration: Reshaping North American Talent Development

The dissolution of the Oceanic Pro League following the 2020 competitive season created unprecedented talent acquisition opportunities for LCS organizations. Revised import regulations now classify OCE players as domestic competitors, fundamentally altering roster construction economics and long-term planning.

Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami’s promotion to Cloud9’s starting roster represents the highest-profile OCE transition. His development trajectory—from OCE competition through Academy refinement to LCS opportunity—exemplifies ideal talent pathway development.

The Immortals organization made particularly strategic use of these regulatory changes, assembling an entire Australian bot lane with Quin “Raes” Korebrits and Mitchell “Destiny” Shaw. This pairing leverages shared cultural understanding and communication patterns that often accelerate team cohesion.

However, teams frequently underestimate the adaptation challenges facing OCE imports. Cultural adjustments, competitive environment differences, and heightened expectations create integration hurdles that careful management must address.

Common integration mistakes include inadequate cultural transition support and unrealistic performance expectations during initial adjustment phases typically lasting 6-12 weeks.

Strategic optimization involves creating support systems that address common challenges like homesickness, competitive pressure management, and stylistic adaptation to North American macro play.

2021 LCS Schedule: New Format Timelines and Tournament Structure

Riot Games’ introduction of the Lock In tournament fundamentally restructures the traditional LCS competitive year. This innovative approach addresses longstanding concerns about insufficient early-season competitive intensity and limited preparation time for international events.

The $150,000 prize pool tournament running from January 15 provides crucial early competition while maintaining the integrity of the Spring Split championship race.

The official Spring Split commencement on February 5 follows the Lock In conclusion, creating a natural competitive progression throughout the first quarter.

Strategic planning for this extended competitive period requires careful resource allocation and performance pacing. Organizations must balance early tournament intensity with long-term development objectives throughout the March 14 regular season conclusion.

All LCS teams are back on stage from January 15 for the 2021 LCS Lock In.

LCS Franchise Consistency: The Ten Organizations Competing in 2021

Despite the most aggressive roster restructuring in league history, the ten franchised teams maintaining their LCS positions provides competitive stability amid personnel volatility.

The stability of the franchise system enables long-term strategic planning despite short-term roster fluctuations. This structural consistency benefits fan engagement and sponsor relationships throughout the competitive ecosystem.

The 2021 LCS teams are:

• Team SoloMid
• FlyQuest
• Team Liquid
• 100 Thieves
• Cloud9
• CLG
• Dignitas
• Evil Geniuses
• Golden Guardians
• Immortals

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