In the works since late 2023, Riot Games has at last finalized plans to bring Game Changers to the League of Legends scene in EMEA, a long-awaited extension of the initiative's success in VALORANT. After a difficult offseason that saw the departure of many teams, such as BDS Valkyries and MAD Lions KOI Femenino, the company is now answering the call — this will establish an official circuit for women and marginalized genders, opening new paths to professional play.

Inaugurated in 2022, the VALORANT GC program has borne fruit since its inception, fostering a rich and diverse competitive ecosystem. Shopify Rebellion, one of the circuit's most successful teams, recently qualified for the VALORANT Challengers North America — even after one of their top talents, Ava "florescent" Eugene, departed the team to join the VCT EMEA.

A historic moment

After multiple limited initiatives in North America, this new competition will mark Riot Games' first large-scale competitive diversity effort in the EMEA region. Though many competitions, such as the Equal Esports Cup and the Coupe des Étoiles, have bolstered the scene over time, players and organizations have spent years calling for a proper Game Changers scene — the influx of team interest and the growing talent base clearly justifies it.

In recent years, many organizations have increased their investment in the scene— offering better salaries, improving competitive conditions, and developing stronger infrastructure to help the ecosystem evolve. Notably, SK Gaming and G2 Esports, have been active since 2021 and 2022, respectively. Meanwhile, several players have become key figures in the League of Legends community, including Maya "Caltys" Henckel, a pioneering competitor since 2019.

With this move, many hope Riot Games will rekindle engagement in the women and marginalized genders' scene in the EMEA region, especially with top organizations rumored to be interested in the scene. While it's still too early to tell, sources have confirmed to Sheep Esports that at least three existing LEC teams — none of which had previously invested in the scene — have entered talks and explored options for a team this offseason, contingent on the launch of a Game Changers initiative.

The wait is over

While some details are still being finalized, sources tell Sheep Esports that the core structure of the new circuit has already been set. In 2025, the competition will be split into two seasons: the first will stretch from early April to mid-May, and the second from late July to mid-September. Throughout the season, the league will feature a standard group stage and a playoff phase.

As of now, the final list of founding members remains unknown, though sources suggest that Riot Games is looking to invite LEC teams to the league and is aiming to field at least 8 participating teams — G2 Hel, SK Gaming Avarosa, and Vitality Rising Bees are expected to be on the list of invitees. Several ERL-based organizations have also continued operations this year, including Galions Pearl, Solary Académie, and GameWard Astrals. However, it remains unclear whether these teams will receive direct invitations or need to secure their spots through qualifiers.

The action is set to begin in March, with qualifiers organized by none other than SK Gaming, an organization with deep ties to the Equal Esports Cup and a pillar of the scene. While the competition is expected to take place remotely, sources have indicated that Riot Games is also exploring the possibility of hosting LAN finals for the second split, potentially aligning with the LEC's annual roadshow.

Riot Games declined to comment on this story when approached for a statement.

They are ready

Many organizations have locked in their rosters, but numerous players remain free agents — some even with fully assembled squads seeking an organization. With exciting opportunities and new avenues opening up, there’s no better time to partake in this growing scene. Reaching out to an established roster and providing your resources to these emerging talented squads is the ideal way to start.

Many team-less players still also remain on the free agent market. Though non-official, Sheep Esports recommends the Women & Non-Binary League of Legends Database.