[UPDATED] LEC Winter Split Playoffs 2024 Elimination Preview: Matchups, Schedule, Predictions

Who’s going home this weekend? The League of Legends EMEA Championship (or LEC for short) is in the midst of Playoffs for their Winter Split in 2024.

At the start, 8 of the 10 LEC teams entered Playoffs. After a mere three intense days of competition, 6 teams are on the cusp of elimination.

They are: Team Heretics, SK Gaming, GiantsX, MAD Lions KOI, Fnatic, and Team Vitality. Only G2 Esports and Team BDS thus far have escaped the terror of the lower bracket in this double-elimination tournament.

Follow us as we follow not the winners, but the casualties of this Playoffs run as one by one, teams will fall – until we have our Winter Split victor.

LEC Winter Split Playoffs 2024: Quick Rundown

The LEC Winter Split Playoffs is the first and current Playoffs to run for the LEC in 2024. It consists of the best performing 8 LEC teams from the Regular Winter Split.

The Playoffs format is a double-elimination bracket, seeded according to the team’s performance during the Regular Split. G2, the best performing team from the Winter Split; faced against GiantX, the worst performing team in the Winter Split. And so on.

Rounds 1 and 2 (both Upper and Lower Bracket) are played as Bo3s. Past that, every match will be a Bo5.

What’s At Stake?

The winner of the LEC Winter Split Playoffs will qualify straight for MSI 2024 as well as the LEC 2024 Season Finals at the end of the domestic season.

A Slew of Casualties Incoming: Schedule and Predictions

Battered first casualties of Round 1 saw 4 teams fall to the lower bracket. In Round 2, another two teams have fallen; leaving only 2 remaining teams in the Upper Bracket – that being G2 Esports and Team BDS. Their matchup is slated to take place later, in Round 4 or Upper Semifinals of the tournament.

Handy little graphic from the LEC. State of the Winter Playoffs, Pre-Elimination Series. Credit: LEC // Riot Games

LEC Winter Split Playoffs 2024 Round 1 Eliminations

Team Heretics vs SK Gaming: 5pm CET | 10.2.2024 [1-2]

SK Gaming overall has shown themselves to be on a decline. After a powerful Week 1 performance, they only managed to post wins against questionable GiantX and Vitality sides.

Vitality is little better but at least they’re consistently mid-tier. Judging on past performance, Heretics seem to have the former’s number, but it’s quite hard to gauge based on Heretic’s own performance.

GiantX vs MAD Lions KOI: 8pm CET | 10.2.2024 [0-2]

This would ideally be MDK’s best chance of surviving at least one more round. Statistically the worst performing roster at Playoffs, GiantX have really struggled against the heavier hitters in the LEC this split.

What is concerning however, is that MDK has already lost to GiantX in Week 3 of the Regular Season in what was a fairly sound performance from the GX core. Considering their talent, GiantX have been doing a fair job of punching above their weight class, but they have struggled to contest those later neutral objectives.

LEC Winter Split Playoffs 2024 Round 2 Eliminations

Fnatic vs SK Gaming: 5pm CET | 12.2.2024 [2-1]

Fnatic have proven themselves to be a strong contender this split. Unfortunately, it was G2 that they met in the Upper Bracket Round 2. Now facing against SK Gaming, the odds are certainly in Fnatic's favor, but not the momentum. SK's strong showing of drafts and executions does give pause to the idea that they would be worthy competitors to go deeper. 

Team Vitality vs MAD Lions KOI: 8pm CET | 12.2.2024 [0-2]

Rookie (in terms of LEC) team versus a seasoned team of veterans. Vitality does have the edge coming into this series, especially considering who they have in the botlane - double Spring Split champions. However, many continue to underestimate MDK, and while the series should go to Vitality, it'll likely be closer than most would like. 

LEC Winter Split Playoffs 2024 Round 3 Eliminations

Fnatic vs MAD Lions KOI: 5pm CET | 16.2.2024 [2-3]

Fnatic overwhelmingly come into this series as the strong favorites based off their consistency this season. Despite a hiccup in Week 3, Fnatic has generally beaten the teams they should beat. However, they have lost to MAD Lions KOI already in the regular season.

A team that, on paper, Fnatic has miles of experience over. Fnatic did recover in Playoffs, taking MDK down 2-0. If the longer format proves to be the true test of the teams, then Fnatic should come out ahead.

MDK overall has proven to be a fairly strong team, stronger than most were willing to admit at the beginning of the split. Despite that, MDK has firmly settled as amongst the middle-tier of the LEC, making them a strong contender against the likes of Fnatic this split. 

LEC Winter Split Playoffs 2024 Round 4 Eliminations

MAD Lions KOI vs Team BDS: 5pm CET | 17.2.2024 [3-2]

As the tournament results continues to unfold, Strafe Esports will update this document. The LEC Winter Split Playoffs 2024 will return on the weekend of the 10th of February. There, we will not only see the first two teams to fall in this Playoffs run, but also which team will be the first to grace the Grand Finals Stage.

Read all the changes for LEC 2024 season here.

Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games

Read More:

Riot Games unveils Competitive Changes for MSI and Worlds in 2024, New Hall of Legends.

YamatoCannon Releases Response to Karmine Corp Situation.

A Closer look at Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup Club Program.