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Riot Games announced that the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) will be shifted from May to July of this year. The company said that this change in the calendar will help competitors avoid travel restrictions and other issues associated with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The MSI will begin on July 3 and conclude on July 19, though the location and other details are to be announced at a later date. Riot cautioned that it will “need to remain flexible” as challenges arise related to the coronavirus that could impact the travel and safety of players.
Riot also announced that it has made changes to the Summer Split start dates, which will now see the second split begin prior to the Mid-Season Invitational. Each region’s Split 2 start dates have been adjusted to the following:
- OPL – May 15
- VCS – May 15
- LCS – May 16
- TCL – May 16
- LCK – May 20
- LEC – May 22
- CBLOL – May 23
- LPL – May 23
- PCS – May 30
- LJL – May 31
- LCL – June 6
- LLA – May 30
Finally, Riot announced that it will sunset Rift Rivals in the remaining regions where the tournament was scheduled to take place.
“Rift Rivals produced some epic battles, but the challenges it created to the annual schedule were felt at both a regional and global level,” said Riot Games Global Head of Esports John Needham in a blog post. “We remain committed to producing globally resonant events that showcase our sport, and will work with regions to determine fresh ways to do so in the years ahead.”
For more information on all of the gaming and esports-related events impacted by the ongoing global coronavirus outbreak to-date, check out this regularly updated list.
