The wait is finally over for League of Legends fans in the Americas. Riot Games has dropped the official bracket and format details for the Americas Cup, and it’s shaping up to be one hell of a tournament. Set to take place in São Paulo from March 4-8, this isn’t just another regional competition — it’s a make-or-break moment for teams eyeing international glory.
The announcement came through esports insider Sheep_Esports, who broke down all the crucial details that have competitive LoL fans buzzing:
“[OFFICIAL] The Americas Cup 🌎 bracket and format has been released. The tournament will take place in São Paulo 🇧🇷 from March 4-8 ALL elimination matches will be BO5, and the winner secures an MSI bootcamp to Daejeon, South Korea 🇰🇷” — [@Sheep_Esports]
That BO5 format announcement is huge news for competitive integrity. Best of 5 matches are the gold standard in professional League of Legends, giving teams the chance to adapt, counter-adapt, and really show their depth. It means we won’t see any fluky BO1 upsets or BO3 series that feel cut short just when things were getting spicy.
For teams that have been grinding all year, this format change signals that Riot is taking the Americas region seriously. BO5 elimination matches put this tournament on par with the biggest international events in terms of competitive format. It’s the kind of setup that separates championship-caliber teams from the also-rans.
But let’s talk about that prize — an MSI bootcamp in Daejeon, South Korea. That’s not just a nice-to-have perk; it’s absolutely crucial for international success. Korean bootcamps have become legendary in the LoL scene because they offer something you can’t get anywhere else: high-level scrimmage partners and the intense practice environment that’s produced world champions.
Teams that get to bootcamp in Korea before MSI have a massive advantage. They get to practice against Korean teams who consistently dominate international tournaments, they adapt to the meta faster, and they arrive at MSI already warmed up against world-class competition. For an Americas team, this could be the difference between making it out of groups and going home early.
São Paulo is also a perfect choice for the venue. Brazil has one of the most passionate League of Legends fan bases in the world, and the energy at Brazilian tournaments is absolutely electric. The crowd alone could give regional teams a boost, especially if any Brazilian orgs make deep runs in the tournament.
The timing couldn’t be better either. March 4-8 gives the winning team just enough time to prepare for MSI without having too long of a break where they might lose momentum. It’s that sweet spot where teams can celebrate their Americas Cup victory, get hyped about Korea, and then immediately start focusing on the next challenge.
What’s particularly interesting is how this tournament fits into Riot’s broader vision for regional competition. The Americas region has been working to establish itself as a legitimate threat to the traditional powerhouses of Korea and China. By offering substantial prizes and using premier tournament formats, Riot is clearly investing in making sure Americas teams can compete at the highest level.
This isn’t just about one tournament — it’s about building a pipeline that can consistently produce international contenders. The BO5 format ensures that the team that wins truly deserves it, while the Korea bootcamp sets them up to actually make noise at MSI rather than just being happy to be there.
For fans, this means we’re getting premium competitive League of Legends with real stakes attached. Every elimination match will be a potential five-game thriller, and knowing that the winner gets that golden ticket to Korea adds extra weight to every play.
The bracket details and team qualifications should be dropping soon, and then it’s just a matter of counting down the days until March 4th. Brazilian fans are probably already making travel plans, and teams across the Americas are finalizing their rosters and practice schedules.
One thing’s for sure — whoever emerges victorious from São Paulo will have earned their shot at international glory the hard way. With BO5 elimination matches and that Korea bootcamp on the line, the Americas Cup just became one of the most important tournaments of the year.
Mark your calendars for March 4-8. This is going to be special.
