The recent LEC Madrid Roadtrip was a groundbreaking triumph that left an indelible mark on the league’s history, showcasing the LEC at its absolute zenith. The electric atmosphere that permeated the Madrid Arena was a testament to the unbridled passion of the fans, who had been eagerly anticipating the event. The immense reception for home favorites and hosts Movistar KOI was no surprise, given their massive following in Spain. The ‘ultra’ groups of fans, who formed drum-led parades from the walkway towards the arena, reverberated throughout the stadium, creating an unforgettable experience.
As the fervor of the crowd was not limited to KOI, GIANTX, despite not being one of the powerhouse organizations in EMEA’s tier one competition, boasted a large and vociferous contingent of supporters who were just as loud, if not louder, than their KOI counterparts. Their section of fans, which included trumpet and tuba players, as well as their drummer, took fan chants to dizzying heights, far beyond the usual “let’s go G2” chants that are often on repeat in the LEC studio. G2 themselves also earned a warm welcome from supporters, despite having visibly fewer fans in attendance, with the Spanish crowd likely having a soft spot for the side that has had prominent Spanish figures like ocelote and Mithy as part of the organization over the years.
LEC Madrid Roadtrip (Image via Getty)The LEC’s decision to partner with Movistar KOI was a masterstroke, allowing them to harness the massive following of the organization and channel that energy to genuinely improve the product. The passionate home crowd and football ultra vibe that the organization had already created through its own events in the past were masterfully leveraged to create an experience that will be etched in the memories of fans for a long time. The LEC has finally figured out the formula to tap into this fervor and use it to boost the league.
The success of the Madrid Roadtrip has set the stage for another thrilling event in Paris, as Karmine Corp is set to host the Paris LEC Roadtrip later this month. Like MKOI, KC have also demonstrated their proficiency in hosting stadium games many times before and boasts an equally passionate fanbase. However, one concern remains that these roadshows are still only covering regular season games, with no material difference between the Roadtrip fixtures and the usual studio matches. There’s also something to be said for the competitive integrity in having ‘home’ games for teams at the events and not for others.
BLAST Rivals Spring 2025 (Image via Getty)As the LEC continues to build towards the Spring playoffs and final, the Madrid and Paris events are playing an early role in setting the tone for the rest of the season. When the final takes place in the Berlin studio on June 8th, the event will likely feel considerably less important for all involved. However, the icing on the cake for the Spanish crowd was the news that the LEC will return to Madrid again this year with the Caja Mágica, home to tennis’ Madrid Open, set to host the LEC Summer Finals.
The challenge now for the LEC is to sustain this momentum and create an equally charming experience for the Summer Finals, which may prove to be a more daunting task. The obvious immediate reaction, both from those at the Roadtrip and those who watched online, was to assume that the passion on display this weekend will be repeated for the Summer Finals. However, the crucial home-team aspect that riled up those spectators isn’t guaranteed for the finals. If none of these sides with large Spanish followings reach that weekend, particularly the final, then there’s a good chance that the atmosphere does not reach the levels seen during the Roadtrip. Nevertheless, the LEC has taken a significant step in the right direction, and it will be exciting to see how they build on this success in the coming months. The LEC’s future looks bright, and fans have every reason to be optimistic about what’s to come.
