The top two League of Legends teams from the Vietnamese Championship Series will reportedly miss out on their spots at this year’s LoL Worlds due to concerns that the teams won’t be allowed to return to Vietnam after travelling to China for the competition.
ESPN confirms initial reports from Vietnamese site Gamek that the two VCS representatives will be missing out on Worlds 2020. Summer Split grand finalist Team Flash and the winner of the losers’ bracket final match between GAM Esports and EVOS Esports were scheduled to represent Vietnam at Worlds, however it now appears that both teams will not be travelling to Shanghai.
There is now plenty of speculation as to what Riot’s next steps will be for Worlds. There is a good chance that due to the decision coming at such short notice, Worlds will operate with 22 teams rather than 24. This does mean that some rejigging of teams and format may be needed, as the top seeded VCS team was billed to head straight into the group stages. This could mean one team that qualifies for the Play-ins will be promoted to a group stage spot.
Other suggestions involve filling the two vacant spots with teams from other regions. Some are calling for the LCK and LCS to be brought into line with two of Riot’s other major LoL leagues, the LPL and LEC, and increase their spots from three to four.
WE GOT THE TICKET TO THE WORLDS!!!🔥 It was an intense ride. GGWP to Gam Esports 👊 Congratulations to our #TeamFlashLOL for their hard work and thank you Flazers for your unending support🧡
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋#TeamFlash #MakingGamersHeroes pic.twitter.com/q4mY6sU1C3
— Team Flash (@teamflash_gg) August 29, 2020
Extra spots could also potentially be offered to teams from the smaller regions, with the likes of the Latin American, Japanese, and Turkish leagues all having just one spot at Worlds, all of which are in the Play-in stage.
Riot is yet to officially confirm or comment on the reported absence of the two Vietnamese teams from this year’s World Championship.
