Riot Video games has detailed a collection of residency rule modifications for League of Legends’ North American (LCS) and Brazilian (CBLOL) leagues forward of the 2026 season, following the formal break up of the Americas ecosystem into separate competitions.
In line with the announcement, the previous ‘Americas Resident’ slot can be faraway from subsequent yr’s roster guidelines, with up to date standards launched to find out which gamers qualify as residents inside their respective leagues.
The modifications kind a part of Riot’s broader restructuring of the League of Legends Americas (LTA) system, which was dissolved earlier this yr. The updates are anticipated to play a notable function in how LCS and CBLOL organisations assemble their 2026 line-ups.
Grandfathered Residency and LATAM Standing
Gamers who competed beneath the common Americas resident slot in 2025 — or signed a one-year deal inside that window — can be grandfathered into their present league as non permanent residents. This is applicable till they return to their unique house area.
For instance, a North American participant competing in Brazil this yr can be handled as a CBLOL resident in 2026 so long as they continue to be within the league.
A big change impacts gamers from Latin America (LATAM). All LATAM gamers can be thought-about residents in each LCS and CBLOL all through 2026 and 2027. From 2028 onwards, these gamers should commit to 1 area, shedding resident standing within the different after making their alternative.
Riot summarised the replace as three key shifts: the elimination of the Americas slot, the non permanent dual-residency interval for LATAM expertise, and unified roster development guidelines throughout each leagues. LATAM organisations competing throughout the construction at the moment are formally categorised as both LCS or CBLOL groups.
Affect on 2026 Roster Constructing
Residency guidelines straight have an effect on how groups allocate their import slots, making these changes notably impactful heading into the offseason. Twin-resident LATAM gamers could grow to be extremely sought-after choices for organisations in each leagues attributable to their flexibility in roster development.
With a number of areas competing for stability after the dissolution of the unified Americas system, groups can be navigating a transitional interval with new strategic concerns for 2026 and 2027.
Additional aggressive updates for the LCS and CBLOL 2026 seasons are anticipated later this yr.
