Riot has announced that they have created the first professional gaming league in Oceania, which includes Australia.

The first ever-professional esports league is coming to Oceania. The weekly league will see eight teams battle it out over the course of a 7-week split. The top five teams will remain in the league with the bottom 3 facing relegation.

Former champion team Legacy will open the season tonight against Chiefs, the team they dethroned for the Winter Championship crown last year.


“We have some amazing talent in this region and they are only going to get better in a professional league,” explains Daniel Ringland, esports manager, Riot Games Oceania.

“Our ultimate goal is to see an Oceanic team win at Worlds,” adds Ben de Rider, esports Co-ordinator, Riot Games Oceania. “We’re not on the same level as some of the larger regions yet, but you should never underestimate a bunch of Aussies and Kiwis.”

The Split 1 Champion of the OPL will be heading to Turkey to represent Oceania in the International Wildcard Invitational. Victory in Istanbul would secure them a place in the Mid-Season Invitational against the best teams from leagues in North America (NA LCS), Europe (EU LCS), China (LPL), Korea (LCK), and Taiwan (LMS).

The champion of Split 2, running from May to August, will be representing Oceania in the Wildcard Qualifier for a place at the World Championships.

OPL matches for Split 1 will be broadcast live on Mondays and Thursdays from 6pm AEDT, with the first round starting this Thursday February 5.

You can see all the matches at www.twitch.tv/riotgamesoceania.