The first time I went to LCS, I felt like I didn’t really know what to do or where to go, so I hope this guide will help y’all get through your first time at the LCS studio in Los Angeles.

The very first thing you need to think about before going to the LCS is how you are going to get there and get back. This year, Riot isn’t utilizing the parking lot in front of the studio for viewer vehicles, so I would heavily recommend using a car service (Uber, Lyft, etc.) or getting driven there by a buddy in order to create less of a headache with parking. There is a drop off zone located directly in front of the studio (which is right across the street from Riot HQ) which allows for you to get right into the venue without having to walk too far. If you do decide to park your car, then there is a parking structure located halfway down the block (refer to the map down below) in which you can park your car on either the first or second floors.

Once you’re actually right in front of the building, you’ll need to go to security, where you’ll have walk through an x-ray machine. After that, you’ll finally be inside the lot. There will most likely be a ticketing booth directly to your right after walking through security. Here is where you will show your pre-purchased ticket (NA LCS TICKETS) to a couple employees and you’ll be given a wristband.

Security inside the building will need to check your band every time you enter/exit the actual studio where games are played, so try not to accidentally rip it off or something dumb like that. After getting your wristband, you can walk around outside a bit and will be allowed to go to a sign-making station to the left of the building where you can make a sign which will (hopefully!) be shown on a live broadcast.

Later in the day, you can also take pictures with the teams at the left end of the lot under some tents which will be set up after the first game.

Going inside the front door, you will see a line forming on your right and a shop full of merch on your left. To the right and around the corner is the place where you can buy food/refreshments all throughout the afternoon, though I would suggest going during a lull in a game and not between games, as the line will get pretty long while everyone waits around. Right near that same line are the doors which players/coaches/staff use to get backstage and prepare for games, and a guard will be standing there to prevent onlookers such as yourself from wandering willy nilly in there.

The merch shop which I mentioned earlier will not be open until the first game starts, and inside you will find a bunch of shirts, hoodies, statues etc. As of last Sunday (week 1) jerseys aren’t being sold yet in the store, but they definitely will be later on in the year. Right next to the merch shop, you’ll find the bathrooms which will be open all throughout the day (except when being cleaned up by the janitorial staff).

Once you get past the bathrooms, you’ll only need to walk straight ahead and straight into the studio which you have seen many a time on your computer screen from home. Be sure not to sit in the first row, as only designated people (press, players, etc.) can sit there, but anywhere behind there should be fine.

Seats don’t matter too much, except the further up you are the shorter you’ll have to run up in order to high five the players striding across the stage after coming off of a victory.

After those victories, the players will wait outside for a little while in order to take pictures with fans waiting in line to see them, so be sure to run out there before a huge line forms. If you do catch the back of a long line however, be aware that the next game may start without you. Once evening comes, players will take pictures inside instead of outside, so be sure to check if the tents are still outside after the last game. If they've been taken down, then wait inside the studio and the players will eventually get to you. When you’re all worn out or when the games are over, you can leave right out the same way that you came in.

Thanks for reading my guide on attending the LCS, if you have any questions or inquiries whatsoever then be sure to email Riot Media (media@riotgames.com) or just comment down below and I’ll be sure to get back to you as quick as possible. I hope you all have a great day, and if you ever see a skinny Asian kid in glasses and a black hat running around with a camera at LCS, be sure to say hi! Have fun attending your first LCS event!

Like our content? Support us by getting our merchandise in our shop