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LRS Split 1 2026
Overview
LRS Split 1 2026 (Liga Regional Sur 2026 Split 1) is the opening split of the 2026 season of Liga Regional Sur (LRS), Riot Games' official Tier 2 League of Legends competition for Latin America South. It serves as a developmental league within the broader League of the Americas (LTA) ecosystem, featuring teams primarily from Argentina, Chile, Peru, and other South American countries (excluding Brazil). The series is organized by Liga ACE with direct support from Riot Games and functions as a key pathway for emerging talent toward higher-tier professional play.
History
Liga Regional Sur was established as part of Riot's restructuring of Latin American esports into a new competitive ecosystem under the League of the Americas (LTA). LRS operates alongside its northern counterpart (LRN) as Tier 2 leagues designed to bridge amateur and professional competition. The 2026 season marked the second year of the league's operation under this format, with Split 1 running from early March through mid-June (including playoffs). The league has evolved to include regular seasons followed by dedicated playoff brackets with consistent prize pools.
Format
The tournament features a regular season group or round-robin stage followed by a separate playoff bracket. For Split 1 2026, the regular season ran from March 3 to April 14, 2026, determining seeding and qualification. The playoffs took place from April 21 to June 9, 2026, with a $20,000 USD prize pool. Matches are played in the standard League of Legends 5v5 format. Qualification is based on performance in the regular season, with top teams advancing to the playoffs.
Notable Editions
The 2026 Split 1 edition stood out for its competitive balance and the emergence of Volticons as playoff champions after Golden Lions dominated the regular season. This split highlighted the league's role in talent development within the LTA structure, with several teams showing strong performances that positioned them for potential promotion pathways.
Past Champions
- Regular Season (2026-03-03 to 2026-04-14): Golden Lions defeated Malvinas Gaming in the final standings.
- Playoffs (2026-04-21 to 2026-06-09, $20,000 USD): Volticons defeated Golden Lions in the grand final.
Viewership & Impact
As a Tier 2 regional league, LRS contributes to the growth of League of Legends esports in Latin America by providing structured competition and exposure for South American talent. Broadcasts are primarily handled via official channels such as Twitch (e.g., lolacelatam). Specific viewership figures for Split 1 2026 are not widely published in available sources, but the league forms an integral part of Riot's efforts to expand the esports ecosystem across the Americas. Its integration into the LTA framework underscores its significance in creating a clear progression route from regional play to higher-tier professional leagues.