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Liga Regional Norte (LRN)
Overview
Liga Regional Norte (LRN), also referred to as Liga Regional Norte Split 1 2026 in its 2026 edition, is a Tier 2 professional League of Legends esports competition serving the Latin America North (LAN) region. It is organized by Riot Games in partnership with Liga ACE (which assumed operational rights from LVP in February 2025). The league functions as an official developmental pathway toward higher-tier professional play in Latin America, featuring regional teams competing for prize money, qualification to subsequent splits, and broader ecosystem integration.
History
LRN was established by Riot Games and LVP on March 13, 2023, as part of efforts to expand structured Tier 2 competition in Latin America. The first full season launched in 2025 with Split 1, marking the debut of Riot’s formalized Tier 2 circuit for the LAN region alongside the parallel Liga Regional Sur (LRS). In February 2025, operational rights transferred from LVP to Liga ACE, which has overseen both LRN and LRS since then. The 2026 season represents the second year of the competition, continuing the split-based structure with expanded participation and integration into the broader LoL Esports ecosystem.
Format
The current format for LRN Split 1 (and similar splits) features eight invited teams in a single round-robin group stage consisting of best-of-three (Bo3) matches. The top four teams advance to playoffs, also played in Bo3 format. The regular season typically runs from early March to mid-April, with playoffs extending into June. Top-performing teams qualify for the subsequent split (e.g., Split 2). Matches are played on the LAN server and are conducted entirely online.
Notable Editions
The inaugural 2025 season established the foundational structure and competitive standards for the league. The 2026 Split 1 edition gained significance as the second season under Liga ACE operations, featuring increased prize pools for playoffs ($20,000 USD) and serving as a key qualifier pathway. It highlighted the growing stability of the LAN regional ecosystem, with strong performances from established organizations feeding into higher-level opportunities.
Past Champions
- 2025 Split 1: Inaugural edition; limited public results available in initial sources.
- 2026 Split 1: Champion – Fuego; Runner-up – G3V E-sports. Playoffs held April 20 – June 8, 2026, with a $20,000 USD prize pool for the playoff stage.
- 2026 Split 2: Champion – Zeu5 Esports; Runner-up – Fuego. Regular season July 4–19, 2026; playoffs July 27 – September 7, 2026 ($20,000 USD prize pool indicated for playoffs).
Additional editions follow the annual split schedule (typically two splits per year), with winners advancing within the regional circuit.
Viewership & Impact
LRN serves as a critical Tier 2 feeder league in the Latin American LoL ecosystem, providing competitive experience and exposure for emerging talent. Broadcasts are primarily streamed via official LoL Esports platforms and regional Twitch channels (e.g., references to twitch.tv/ltasul and lolacelatam in related coverage). As part of Riot’s broader Tier 2 initiatives alongside LRS, it contributes to talent development and regional engagement in a market with growing esports infrastructure. Specific peak/average viewership figures for individual splits are not extensively documented in public sources as of mid-2026, reflecting its developmental focus rather than flagship-tier prominence. The league’s integration with lolesports.com underscores its official status and pathway role.