This summer, the LCS is returning full force – tailgates, full audience, and all teams on stage. Because of the two-year hiatus large sporting events have endured, a lot of the people visiting the LCS have no idea what to expect or how to prepare, so this is a guide for LCS fans that (like me) are heading over to Riot HQ for the first time this year.

The LCS Studio Arcade | credit: Arsh Goyal

Planning and Transportation

Parking at the studio changed a few years ago, meaning audience members had to park outside of the lot and walk in. Normally, people would park in the mall next to Riot HQ across the street, but it’s undergoing renovations at the moment, so in the event that it’s unavailable, the Staples/ACE hardware parking lots down the street are a good choice. With gas prices where they’re at, though, most people will opt into Uber or Lyft (despite both being fairly pricey at the moment too). The Expo/Bundy Train station is a couple minutes’ walk away – and it’s a bus stop too – so financially speaking that’s almost certainly the best transportation method.

You should plan to arrive up to an hour before the time on your ticket (which is variable based on the day of week) because that’s when the tailgate starts. Once you arrive, make sure to have your proof of vaccination and government issued ID ready, which trips up more people than you’d think. Security is otherwise quick, and as long as you arrive sufficiently early, I’d recommend you take time to explore the grounds and enjoy the tailgate after setting down your swag at your seats (and setting up your boom sticks, which gets trickier once the people around you get seated).

Update: as of 2023, a proof of COVID vaccination is no longer required to enter the studio.

What To Do at the Studios

The tailgate, best experienced before games start, is a bunch of booths set up by LCS teams to allow visitors to buy merch, take pictures, and interact with other fans. I will say that it can get pretty crowded out there, and LCS orgs are still kicking back into gear, so the tailgate has things left to be desired for some. The best part of the “return to form” for the studios is definitely the opportunity to, once again, meet the players after their games. For most, the chance to take a picture with their favorite players is the highlight of their visit, so don’t miss it.

Right across the entrance to the main studio (where you’ll present your ticket) is the pièce de résistance – an arcade space with 10 PC setups and incredible art pieces. It’s a stroke of genius to give a group of gamers the opportunity to get some ARAM 1v1’s in order to get to know other similarly passionate people. I didn’t personally play anything, but this was where I spent most of my time regardless – there’s more than enough to look at, and it’s a nice place to relax if the loud environment inside gets overwhelming. There are large works of beautiful art scattered around the rest of the space inside, with a giant Thresh hovering over the food line, and an amazing honorific for reigning MVP Spica overlooking the stairs.

When you sit down to spectate the games, you’ll be able to see the casters over your shoulder and to the right from where the audience is seated, with their backs to the players’ area. You can’t bring food into the studio area, but water is permitted, so most just eat out at the tailgate and then come inside to spectate. If you have the time, bringing a sign to cheer on your team (or having one provided to you by an on-site org member during the tailgate) can also boost your experience. Between games, production staff often throw plushies and other merch into the crowd, giving a third activity besides the tailgate and arcade to spend non-game time on.

Conclusion

Visiting LCS was a goal of mine for years, and when I finally got to visit, I was blown away – it became the highlight of my month. I’ve loved League esports for years, and being able to sit close enough to hear the comms mid-game was, frankly, surreal. Thank you for reading my guide, and hope you enjoy your visit to the LCS studios!