LCK Spring Split may be delayed alongside LPL due to coronavirus

William Davis Published 30/01/2020

The LPL has been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak in China.

The coronavirus is a highly infectious and potentially deadly virus that affects the respiratory system. The epidemic started in the Wuhan region and has spread throughout China. There are confirmed cases of the coronavirus in countries including Japan, South Korea, Canada, and the United States.

The situation in China is worsening every day. The World Health Organization has declared that the risk is high, not only in China but globally. That has Chinese authorities on alert and looking to head off the virus spreading, a fact that has hurt esports badly across Asia.

Coronavirus puts LoL competitive scene in China, Korea at risk

The LPL was forced to make a difficult decision in the face of the current epidemic. The league has decided to delay the 2020 LPL Spring Split indefinitely and it’s currently unclear as to whether it will return.

Should this delay linger, China won’t have a representative at the 2020 Mid-Season Invitational. It will be the first time a major region misses an international event.

The epidemic isn’t just hitting the LPL, though.

According Inven Global, the 2020 LCK Spring Split is set to start in an empty arena due to concerns over the coronavirus. If there is a significant outbreak in Korea, Riot Korea told Inven Global it is prepared to take any measures necessary to keep players and fans safe.

Another event at risk is the 2020 League of Legends World Championship, which is set to be hosted in China later this year.

Though Worlds is still months away, China’s SARS epidemic lingered for nine months from 2002 to 2003. While the current outbreak of coronavirus isn’t expected to last as long or be as serious as SARS, which claimed 774 lives globally, it wouldn’t need to endure for that long to ruin the 2020 LPL Summer Split or disrupt Riot’s planning of Worlds 2020.

Riot Games is yet to confirm any decision but it’s possible that the developer is already making backup plans.

Read Also

Esports Betting

MLBB is the most-watched game from the EWC, and it’s hard to see another game beating it Michael Hassall The Esports World Cup 2026 has officially passed its midway point and viewership figures for the tournament have surpassed many expectations so far, as per Esports Charts. The viewership tracking site revealed new statistics for the event on Aug. 6, showcasing just how many games had set new records in viewership, including one name leading the way in views: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. MLBB leads the viewership charts with the ...

League of Legends

LCK 2026 Rounds 3–4 Preview, Schedule, Predictions, and More Hannan Mundia 2026 LCK Rounds 3-4 are slated to start soon, and this preview highlights the schedule, our expert predictions, and everything else you need to know before watching. The LCK has been upside down recently. Teams that were considered absolute powerhouses are seemingly falling off, while previous underdogs have been causing upset after upset. 2026 LCK Rounds 3-4 are starting soon, and the big question here is which team will reign ...

League of Legends

LEC 2026 Summer split preview, schedule, predictions, and more Hannan Mundia The 2026 LEC Summer split will be the deciding split to determine which teams can make it to the World Championship, and this preview aims to highlight everything you need to know about it. It isn’t a stretch to say that the LCK and LCP are the only two competitive League of Legends regions actually pulling their weight currently. The LEC did show potential at the start of the year, ...

League of Legends

How is League of Legends Classic different from the modern version? Hannan Mundia League Classic brings the classic League of Legends gameplay and design from when the game first came out, but how is it different from the modern version? The modern League of Legends mode is arguably in its best state in terms of popularity, with a study even reporting that playing LoL can improve brain function. Over a decade of gameplay and multiple marketing tactics by Riot Games have bumped up ...

League of Legends

Best Champions for every role in League of Legends Classic mode Hannan Mundia League Classic sees the return of League of Legends Season 3, but which champions were deemed the best during that time? League of Legends has gone through a lot of changes since it first came out. While the map and item-related changes naturally impacted the game's state, so did the many champion nerfs, buffs, and reworks. Multiple champions played completely differently in Season 3 than they do now. Since League ...

Valorant

OBS Game Capture isn’t working on Valorant and League of Legends? Here’s why and how to fix it Khizar Mundia Several reports suggest that OBS Game Capture is broken, with Valorant and League of Legends streamers only being able to broadcast a black screen. OBS has responded to the issue, confirming that it exists and also provided a way to fix it. Valorant and League of Legends are two of Riot Games’ most popular titles, and they are being streamed on streaming platforms by creators regularly. On July 21, 2026, ...

League of Legends

Dplus sweeps Karmine Corp to win the 2026 LoL EWC grand final Hannan Mundia The League of Legends Esports World Cup 2026 grand final just concluded, where Dplus absolutely swept Karmine Corp to win it all. The League of Legends Esports World Cup may only have been taking place since 2024, but it has already become a key international event for fans and professional players. With a large prize pool and consecutive matches with little delay, fans have a blast seeing their favorite teams ...