Reigning EMEA Masters champions Los Ratones may not defend their title in the upcoming Summer Split edition, as a scheduling conflict with the 2025 League of Legends World Championship in China has raised doubts over the team’s participation. The EMEA grand final is set to take place on 2 November at Paris Games Week, but this coincides with one of the most important matches in the global League of Legends calendar, the Worlds Semifinals.

Team founder and caster Marc “Caedrel” Lamont has publicly suggested skipping the EMEA Masters in order to attend Worlds in China, not only to cast, but also to take advantage of the environment there. Caedrel emphasised the value of being on site, noting that the opportunity to scrim against the world's top teams and play solo queue in one of the most competitive environments would offer greater growth and relevance than remaining in Europe to compete against regional league teams.

A Shift in Priorities

Initially discussed on social media and Reddit, this possibility reflects a broader tension between regional prestige and global relevance. Martin “Rekkles” Larsson, who plays for Los Ratones and is one of the most famous players in the European ecosystem, is a key figure in this debate. The change in scheduling only compounds the issue. In 2024, the EMEA Masters Summer Final took place on 30 August, providing ample time before Worlds. However, this year, the final is nearly two months later, directly overlapping with the most crucial knockout stage of the World Championship. This presents a unique dilemma for a team like Los Ratones, composed of elite former LEC players and active figures in the global scene: which stage holds more value?

ERL Ecosystem Under the Microscope

Beyond the fate of Los Ratones themselves, this situation highlights a deeper concern about the positioning of the ERL ecosystem. When regional champions consider skipping the ERL circuit's flagship tournament for international opportunities, even if those are not directly competitive, it challenges perceptions of the circuit's competitive prestige and scheduling coherence.

This edition of the EMEA Masters was expected to build on the momentum of previous tournaments, especially given the return of an on-stage final at a high-profile venue such as Paris Games Week. However, if one of the most popular teams in the tournament potentially walks away from defending their title, this raises questions about the long-term engagement of top-tier talent, particularly those with access to global opportunities.

As of today, July 31, no final decision has been confirmed. However, the growing conversation, fuelled by Caedrel’s statements and Rekkles' commentary, makes it clear that the ERL’s calendar and strategic priorities may need to be re-evaluated if it is to retain its relevance amid the increasingly global aspirations of its top players.