The LCS reveals new rebrand ahead of 2021 season start

TL;DR

  • LCS 2021 season begins January 15 with innovative Lock In tournament format
  • Complete visual rebrand introduces diamond-shaped logo and new community-focused mottos
  • Ten established franchises return with significantly overhauled player rosters
  • $150,000 prize pool for preseason tournament with strategic scouting opportunities
  • New broadcast elements and format changes create fresh competitive landscape

LCS new branding reveal

North America’s premier League of Legends competition unveiled a comprehensive brand transformation just before the 2021 competitive calendar commenced. This strategic overhaul represents the most significant visual update since the league’s inception.

Following multiple seasons utilizing the original emblem, the LCS embarked on a bold new direction for 2021 with completely refreshed aesthetics. The centerpiece transformation involves a sophisticated diamond-configuration logo that spells out LCS in clean, modern typography. This rebranding initiative aims to establish a distinctive competitive identity, mirroring the successful brand evolution accomplished by the LEC in recent years.

A New Era, Made By Many
#LCS
pic.twitter.com/aXgpQpSBdX

— LCS (@LCSOfficial)
January 5, 2021

The previous branding had remained consistent since the era when European competitions operated under the LCS umbrella. Europe’s independent rebrand to LEC in 2019 established a precedent that North America now follows with its own identity creation journey.

The league’s new foundational philosophy embraces “Made by many” and “All for the game” as guiding principles, fostering collective engagement and inclusive community values. With iconic competitors like Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg and Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng transitioning from active play, the timing aligns perfectly for cultivating new brand narratives and fan connections.

This brand modernization occurred shortly after the LCK implemented comparable changes. As Korea’s league transitions to a franchise model, parallel developments in visual identity and broadcast presentation are emerging across major regions.

The LCS will officially be back on January 15 when the Lock In tournament kicks off.

LCS 2021 schedule

When does the LCS 2021 start?

The competitive year launches on January 15 with the innovative Lock In tournament concept. This two-week preseason competition provides essential evaluation opportunities for revamped team compositions before championship points become available. The tournament champion secures a substantial $150,000 prize while establishing early-season momentum. Following this preliminary event, the Spring Split commences on February 5, marking the beginning of the official championship race.

Strategic viewers should note that the Lock In tournament offers critical intelligence about revamped team dynamics and strategic approaches. Teams often experiment with unconventional picks and strategies during this period, providing valuable insights for the Class Guide methodology of analyzing competitive compositions.

Which teams play in the LCS?

The ten franchise organizations remain unchanged from the previous season, but player personnel transformations create dramatically different competitive landscapes. All competitors will navigate the restructured LCS competitive format, incorporating the Lock In tournament alongside traditional spring and summer splits, introducing multiple strategic evaluation points throughout the year.

The LCS teams for 2021 are:

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

Roster volatility creates both challenges and opportunities for organizations. Teams rebuilding around new talent cores face initial coordination hurdles but may discover unexpected synergies. Established franchises retaining core rosters benefit from existing team chemistry but risk strategic stagnation.

LCS team logos

The departure of legendary players like Bjergsen and Doublelift creates strategic voids that emerging talents must fill. This transition period offers exceptional opportunities for previously overshadowed players to establish themselves as new franchise cornerstones. Organizations investing in developmental talent could reap significant long-term benefits, similar to strategic planning approaches discussed in our Complete Guide to competitive ecosystems.

Broadcast production enhancements typically accompany major rebranding initiatives. Viewers should anticipate refreshed graphics packages, enhanced statistical overlays, and potentially new analytical segments designed to deepen understanding of game dynamics and team strategies.

Common analytical mistakes include overvaluing preseason results and underestimating the impact of coaching staff changes. Successful season analysis requires balanced evaluation of mechanical skill, strategic innovation, and team coordination development.

Advanced viewers should focus on draft phase patterns, objective control efficiency, and mid-game decision making. These elements often provide more reliable performance indicators than simple win-loss records, especially during early season adaptation periods.

Action Checklist

  • Review team roster changes and identify strategic implications for each franchise
  • Analyze Lock In tournament results for emerging team dynamics and strategic trends
  • Monitor draft phase patterns and objective control metrics throughout spring split
  • Compare team performance across different stages of the season format

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