All of the players in the Oceanic League will be PCS residents in the next season, but many of them will have a decision to make

As part of a slew of major changes to the competitive landscape, Riot Games has confirmed that Oceanic players will be considered Pacific Championship residents beginning with the 2023 League of Legends season. This leaves several Australian and New Zealand exports with a potentially career-altering decision.

At the end of the year 2023, all Oceanic participants will be “exclusively PCS inhabitants.”

While new League players and LCO veterans don’t have to think about this, any Oceanic stars who are or have been affiliated with North American clubs until the end of 2022 do have to make a choice. The deadline to make their PCS or NA commitment is the beginning of the next season.

Oceanic

Riot claims that this offer is a “one-time deal” designed to ease the burden of roster changes on both relocating individuals and teams in the League.

Every Oceanic player registered with an LCS or LCS Academy club at any time (including those signed between this announcement and the end of 2022) will have the choice to designate oneself as a resident of either the PCS or the LCS at the end of the calendar year 2022, league officials said.

Some of the biggest names in the Oceanic League are still playing in North America, while others have returned to Australia or will do so soon, and they must decide whether to play in the LCS or the PCS. The Los Angeles-based LCS and Academy rosters include names like Fudge, FBI, Lost, Destiny, Eyla, Haeri, k1ng, Triple, and Ryoma.

Australian celebrities including Raes, Tally, Violet, Thien, and Babip will have a say on the matter.

Dot Esports is also aware that numerous LCO players have had negotiations with NA orgs about making the move to Los Angeles and the two-tier LCS setup in time for the 2023 season. If they sign binding contracts before to December 31st, they will also be required to declare their residence status.

Several players have indicated to Dot that they want to accept the North American half of the deal and declare for the LCS on a permanent basis.

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Dot announced yesterday that the LCO will lose its direct qualification to the Mid-Season Invitational and the World Championship beginning in 2023. Instead, the best two Australian teams from each split will compete in the PCS playoffs for the opportunity to represent Australia in international competition.

It is in tandem with the OCE residency adjustments that this modification is being made.

Aside from the LCK switching to a double-elimination playoff structure, Riot is making major changes to the League environment, including a revamp of the LEC’s bumper model.