League of Legends LCS players to return to studio in hybrid format The Loadout The Loadout League of Legends LCS players to return to studio in hybrid format While the 2022 LCS Lock-In tournament was conducted online, Riot has other plans for the 2022 LCS Spring Split - the players are back in the studio, baby Aaron Down Published: Feb 4, 2022 06:53 ET League of LegendsLeague of Legends Championship Series As the massive spike in US COVID-19 cases continues to decline, another piece of good news is en route for NA League of Legends fans, as Riot has announced that LCS players are finally heading back to the league's Los Angeles studio. Taking to Twitter to share the news, head of esports for NA and OCE Chris Greeley says that teams will be returning in a "hybrid model". As Greeley explains, squads deemed "eligible" will be brought back onsite, where they'll be able to play their 2022 LCS Spring Split games in person. However, should a team not meet the eligibility requirements and have to play online, their opponents will have the option to also play remotely, or proceed to compete from the studio. The 2022 LCS Lock-In tournament was played online in its entirety, so this is undoubtedly a big step towards, as Greeley says, "getting back to 'normal'". The new measure is similar to the hybrid model used by Europe's LEC for chunks of last season, though there the schedule had teams alternate between playing online and offline throughout each day of play. We'll be bringing back #LCS teams into the studio in a hybrid model for Week 1. Working with each team, we'll determine if they are eligible to come on-site. If a team isn't eligible to come on site, their opponents will be offered the opportunity to play remotely as well. - Chris Greeley (@IAmGrza) February 4, 2022 While fans are eager to know when they too will be able to return to the LCS studio, there is currently no news on the matter. Let's hope that 2022 will be the year crowds make a comeback – regulations and fan safety permitting. More from The Loadout Hylissang says playing the Fnatic way is key to Worlds 2022 success EG Inspired is "not scared" of G2 Esports Worlds 2022 rematch The LoL Worlds 2022 final is headed to a cinema near you Worlds 2022 Pick’Em Crystal Ball: Maokai spreads his roots in Play-Ins October Prime Gaming rewards turn Nasus into a meme for LoL Worlds League of Legends Worlds 2022 dates and seeding confirmed by Riot Aaron Down Aaron was an adventurer like you, until he took a footballing injury to the knee. Having retired from his glittering Sunday League career, he now writes about everything from Genshin Impact, to League of Legends, to Valorant (He/Him) Popular now Orianna has been disabled for League of Legends Worlds 2022 The FIFA 23 meta has quickly become all about Lengthy players Blizzard assures Overwatch 2 players their OW1 skins aren’t lost Network N Media earns commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon Associates and other programs. We include affiliate links in articles. View terms. Prices correct at time of publication. More stories Odoamne says Rogue is taking LoL Worlds 2022 “one game at a time” Best Warzone Loadout of the Week – battle with Modern Warfare’s best The LoL Worlds 2022 final is headed to a cinema near you More from The Loadout Follow us for daily videogame news on Facebook, Twitter, Steam, and Google News. LoL ranks: League of Legends ranking system explained League of Legends champions we’d love to see get crossovers The best MOBA games Free shooting games Best PS5 games Best Xbox games