Riot Games has issued a press release expressing confidence in safely organizing an event with a live audience for the Spring 2022 Finals, albeit with a limited number of attendees. While the ongoing monitoring of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a priority, Riot assures fans that the event will be held under strict safety protocols.

Key Details

Limited Attendance:
Riot Games stated that to ensure the highest level of safety, only a restricted number of fans will be allowed to attend the Spring 2022 Finals. This decision is part of a cautious, incremental approach to reintroducing live audiences at Riot events.

Safety First:
“Safety is still our number one priority, so we are taking small, incremental steps to ensure that the reintegration of our much-missed audience happens as smoothly as possible. Bringing fans back to the studio in a controlled manner has required a lot of planning,” the press release reads.

Fan Reaction

Many fans expressed their disappointment online that only the grand final will feature a live audience, with the playoffs remaining closed to fans. Riot clarified that this measure is solely due to ongoing safety concerns.

Recent Playoff Action

The announcement comes as the first weekend of playoff action concludes:

Match Results:

Rogue defeated Misfits Gaming

Fnatic beat G2 Esports (both by 3-1)

In the losers’ bracket, Vitality eliminated Excel in a 3-2 thriller.

Upcoming Fixtures:
Next up, G2 Esports will face Vitality, with the winner meeting Misfits, while Rogue and Fnatic will clash in the semifinals.

As Riot Games continues to balance fan engagement with health and safety considerations, this cautious approach marks a significant step in the gradual return of live audiences to esports events.