Elder Rift League Rules
1. Introduction
Welcome to the Elder Rift League.
A league created by the community, for the League of Legends community.
The Elder Rift League was born out of a desire to offer players 30 and older a place to rediscover the beauty of competition without the pressures of extreme professionalism. Here, teams of friends who are real or known on the platform compete in an environment balanced by age, respect and sportsmanship.
The goal is simple: recreate the excitement of big tournaments like LEC or LCK, but in a healthy, amateur and, above all, fun environment.
Winning is important, sure... but the real triumph is building legends together.
Get ready to join a league where passion meets challenge.
Get ready to write your own story on the Rift.
2. Participation
Requirements
To enter the Elder Rift League arena, each team and each summoner must abide by a few simple rules:
2.1 Minimum Age
The league is designed for a mature audience: each participant must be at least 30 years old at the time of registration. Violation of this rule will be severely punished by disqualifying the team and banning all team members from the league.
2.2 Registration
Each team and player must be duly registered through the official website www.elderiftleague.wixsite.com/elder-rift-league using the appropriate forms you will find on the website.
At the time of registration you will be asked:
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Which division you would like to join.
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Team tag.
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name. Team
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Team captain.
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Summoner name of each member and their role.
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Official team logo (optional but recommended).
Registered teams will have a dedicated page, just like in professional tournaments with the option to have their image edited (under development).
2.3 Team Composition
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Each team must consist of a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 players (including any substitutes).
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Each player may only be registered on one team. It is strictly prohibited to play on more than one team or in more than one division, except for the ARAM Cup being a parallel league.
2.4 Single Registration (Scouting)
Those who do not have a team can register as a Single Player on the Scouting page by filling out the appropriate form, then they will be included by the Elder Rift League team in a list where teams can select players to implement in their teams. (Also being implemented is the ability to create Teams from scratch on the platform).
3. Championship
structure
The Elder Rift League is divided into a system of divisions inspired by the major professional leagues, but designed to ensure balanced, challenging, and always accessible competition.
3.1 Divisions
Teams are divided into four main divisions:
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Diamond Division - The league's elite: only for the tightest and most strategic teams.
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Gold Division - Experienced teams aiming for the top or fighting not to relegate.
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Silver Division - Teams on the rise, hungry for glory and ready to take on the veterans.
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Bronze Division - The starting point: this is where new champions are forged.
Each division is independent and currently composed of 6 teams in each division with the possibility of expansion based on applications, but closely linked by a system of promotions and relegations.
3.2 Regular Season
During the regular season:
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Teams will face each other in an Italian round (one-way only). Teams will face each other once a week.
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Each win or loss contributes to the standings.
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Win (1 point) Defeat (0 points). In case of a tie at the end of the regular season we will look at head-to-head matches subsequently the difference between kills made and suffered, if even this does not determine the ranking we will have a playoff to be played strictly before the playoffs and playouts.
3.3 Playoffs and Playout
At the end of the season:
Playoffs:
The first and second in each division will face each other in a best-of-3 elimination stage (Best of 3 - BO3) to gain promotion to the next higher division or to win their league title.
Playout:
The last two teams in each division will fight to defend their spots and avoid relegation. In the Bronze division, there are no playouts.
3.4 ARAM Cup
Separate from the main divisions, the ARAM Cup is an independent and unique tournament:
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Teams compete in the mystical Howling Abyss.
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Teams face each other in a round-robin format (one-way only). Teams will face each other once a week.
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Each win or loss contributes to the standings.
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(1 point) Defeat (0 points). In case of a tie at the end of the regular season we will look at head-to-head matches subsequently the difference between kills made and suffered, if even this does not determine the ranking we will make a playoff to be played strictly before the playoffs.Win
At the end of the season:
Playoffs:
The top four teams (First Vs Fourth and Second Vs Third) will face each other in a best-of-3 elimination stage (Best of 3 - BO3) to gain access to the finals, also best of 3 games (Best of 3 - BO3) to win the league title.
3.5 Wall of Fame
At the end of each season, Summer and Winter, the winners of each division will win more than just a cup:
they will be enshrined forever in the Elder Rift League Wall of Fame.
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Each champion team will have its own space of honor within the official website.
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Team name, logo, Split and year. They will be celebrated as legends of their division.
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l be possible to see the complete roll of honor, season by season, to remember who really dominated the Heath.It wil
In the Elder Rift League, glory is not fleeting: here, those who win leave an eternal mark.
3.6 Elder Rift: Total Annihilation
Between the winter and summer seasons, the best warriors of the Rift will compete in a special tournament:
the Elder Rift: Total Annihilation.
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The top two ranked teams from each division from the season just ended will participate.
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if any of the qualifying teams cannot participate for any reason, they will move up in the standings: the third, fourth, fifth-place finishers and so on will be invited, until the board is complete.
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The format will be knockout: each clash will be a battle with no return.
Final:
The final will be played best of 3 games (Best of 3 - BO3), for an epic clash that will leave no room for chance.
The winner of Total Annihilation will win not only glory ... but also a place of honor in the Wall of Fame as the absolute ruler of the Rift.
When every alliance is broken, when the Rift burns under the footsteps of champions, only one will be able to raise the trophy of total destruction.
4. Match creation rules
and draft phase
4.1 Lobby Setting
The game lobby should be created with the following settings:
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Map: Summoner's Rift
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Match Name: ERL-TAGvsTAG-Division (Example: ERL-ABCvsXYZ-Gold)
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Team Size: 5v5
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Password: ERL(Division)TAGvsTAG (Example: ERLgoldABCvsXYZ)
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Game Mode: Tournament Selection
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Allow Spectators: Optional
Only the two captains need to enter the lobby initially to set up the pre-draft phase.
Important: matches must be played until the destruction of the opponent's Nexus, it is not possible to concede the match at minute 15 (NO FF15).
4.2 Pre-Draft and ban/pick phase organization
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Agree on the side (Blue/Red) among the captains.
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One of the two captains creates a virtual draft at https://draftlol.dawe.gg/.
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The draft link is shared to the other captain.
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The two captains perform the simulated ban and pick phase following the official order of the Tournament Selection mode.
Only after correctly completing the pre-draft will all players be able to enter the lobby and make bans/picks replicating exactly the decided choices.
4.3 Communication Result
At the end of the match, team captains should send the result via email and/or through the captains group at:
📧 elderriftleague@gmail.com
The email should contain:
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Subject: ERL-TAGvsTAG-Division (Example: ERL-DRKvsBLD-Diamond)
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Email text: Name of teams, Final result (ex: DRK 1-0 BLD)
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Required attachment: Screenshots of the Game History section of League of Legends.
Submission deadlines:
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The result must be reported no later than Saturday 11:00 pm of the game week.
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Failure to report by both teams will result in a forfeited game for both teams (0 points each).
5. Behavior and
Sanctions
5.1 Rules of Behavior
In Elder Rift League we strive to create a healthy, respectful and fun competitive environment.
All participants must:
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Respect opponents, teammates, and organizers.
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Avoid toxic behavior (insults, flame, taunts, discrimination of any kind).
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Maintain appropriate language both during games and in official chats.
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Play with the utmost commitment and fairness, avoiding unsportsmanlike behavior (such as intentional AFK, intentional feeding, or other).
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Adhere to schedules and show up for games on time.
5.2 What is considered misconduct
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Direct or indirect flaming toward opponents, teammates or referees.
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Intentionally trolling official matches.
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Surrendering without team consent during official matches.
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Unexcused delays of more than 15 minutes beyond the agreed-upon time.
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Repeated disconnections without justified reason.
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Spam or flood in official league chats.
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Unsubstantiated accusations or argumentative behavior without basis.
5.3 Sanction System
Sanctions will be applied according to the severity of behavior and recidivism:
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In the case of particularly serious behavior (e.g., threats, racism, discrimination), immediate expulsion will be carried out directly.
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Final decisions rest with the league admins.
5.4 Complaints.
If a team believes it has been subjected to misconduct, it must:
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Send within 1 hour of the end of the match a documented report (screenshots, recording, etc.) to an admin.
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Complaints without evidence will not be considered.
5.5 League Spirit
Remember:
Elder Rift League was created to provide a competitive but peaceful experience.
We want to see passion, competition, but always with respect for others. Be the legends the league deserves.
Infraction | First Violation | Second Violation | Third Violation |
|---|---|---|---|
Failure to comply with draft or lobbying rules | Repetition of the phase | Game lost by forfeit | - |
Frequent disconnections | Official warning | - | - |
Unexcused delay | Official warning | Game lost by forfeit | - |
Troll/ Intentional Feeding | Immediate match disqualification | Expulsion from league | - |
Flame/Insults | Official warning | Disqualification by 1 match | Expulsion from league |
6. Time and
Presence
The regularity of the competition is a fundamental value for the success of the championship. The following are the rules that ensure the proper conduct of the matches in terms of timing, punctuality and communication.
6.1 - Week of play.
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Each official day takes place Monday through Saturday.
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Teams are responsible for making their own arrangements to set match day and time within this interval.
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Sunday is considered a day off or possible make-up only in exceptional cases authorized by the staff.
6.2 - Timetable and punctuality
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The time agreed upon between the captains must be adhered to accurately.
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There is a maximum waiting time of 15 minutes beyond the agreed time. After this time has elapsed, the late team will forfeit by forfeit unless timely communication and agreement is reached between the two teams.
6.3 - Postponing a match
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Postponements are possible only for exceptional causes and must be reported to the staff within 24 hours before the game.
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Postponement will be accepted only if both teams agree and if the match can be made up by Saturday 11:00 pm of the same week.
6.4 - Mandatory communication.
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In case of inability to play the match during the scheduled week, it is the captain's obligation to notify the staff and the opposing team of the issue in a timely manner.
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Failure to communicate is considered an unexcused absence and will result in automatic forfeiture.
6.5 - Shared Responsibility.
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Both teams are responsible for organizing the match: failure to show up or respond to messages may result in automatic loss or penalty.
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In case of disagreement on the responsibility for not showing up, the staff will judge, based on the evidence provided (screenshots, chat, etc.).
7. Team Formation
and Roster
Organizing teams and managing one's roster is critical to ensure fairness, continuity and competitiveness throughout the season. These regulations clarify the limits and possibilities regarding the composition of teams.
7.1 - Initial composition
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Each team must consist of minimum 5 and maximum 7 players, i.e. 5 starters and up to 2 substitutes (“reserves” or “subs”).
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At the time of registration, all member information must be clearly communicated: nickname, main role.
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The team captain will be solely responsible for official communication with the staff and other teams.
7.2 - Locking the roster.
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Once the official season starts (first day of the calendar), the roster will be locked and no more changes can be made without permission from the staff.
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It will only be possible to make changes in market sessions between the winter and summer seasons and vice versa (at the end of one regular season and the beginning of the next), or in exceptional cases (see section 7.4).
7.3 - Use of reserves
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Reserves may be used freely on any day, but it is mandatory to notify the staff and the opposing team before the game.
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Reserves must be placed on the initial roster. New players are not allowed to be added during the current season.
7.4 - Extraordinary substitutions.
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If a player leaves the team permanently for serious reasons (prolonged absence, toxic behavior, etc.), the team may make a written request to the organization to replace the player.
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Each request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the new player may be placed in place of the departed member without exceeding the limit of 7 total players on the roster.
7.5 - Penalties for irregularities.
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The use of a player not registered on the roster or not authorized will result in the automatic loss of the game by forfeit and, in severe cases, additional disciplinary sanctions.
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Teams attempting to circumvent the rules through fictitious or improper substitutions will be subject to review and possible exclusion from the league.
8. SCORE SYSTEM AND
CLASSIFICATION
The scoring system is designed to reward winning, encourage active participation, and keep the competition balanced throughout the season.
8.1 - Weekly Scoring
Match Outcome Points Awarded
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Win 1 points
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Defeat 0 points
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Win by forfeit 1 points
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Defeat by forfeit 0 points
8.2 - Ranking
The division ranking will be updated weekly based on the results reported by Saturday evening. The sorting criteria are as follows:
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Total Points
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Direct Defeats
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Difference in wins/losses
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Number of wins
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Extra playoffs/playouts in case of an absolute tie
8.3 - Penalties
In the case of misbehavior, serious tardiness, failure to communicate or repeated abandonment, the organization reserves the right to:
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Award forfeitures
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Reset the points
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Exclude the team from the championship
8.4 - Promotions and relegations
At the end of the regular season, based on placement in the standings:
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First teams advance to the Playoffs to move up a division.
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The last teams play the Playouts to go down the division
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Bronze Division has no relegation, but offers the possibility of promotion
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Diamond Division is the pinnacle, from which glory is defended rather than ascending
9. Complaints
and Support
The proper conduct of the competition is based on respect for the rules and the ability for participants to report misconduct, technical problems, or questionable situations. Elder Rift League provides an official channel for handling complaints, requests for clarification and support.
9.1 - When to make a complaint
You can submit a complaint in the following cases:
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Unsportsmanlike behavior, flame, insults or abuse in chat.
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Major technical problems (e.g., intentionally exploited bugs, system crashes) that have compromised the game.
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Irregularities in team composition (e.g., unregistered players, unauthorized substitutions).
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Serious delays or failure of the opposing team to show up.
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Disputes over results or refereeing decisions.
9.2 - How to submit a complaint
All complaints should be sent by email to:
📧 elderriftleague@gmail.com
Subject of email: COMPLAINT - [Division] - [Team Name] - [Day/Match]
Example: COMPLAINT - Gold Division - StormWalkers - Day 4
In the body of the email you must include:
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A brief description of the problem.
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Screenshots or supporting evidence (required).
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Any attempts at contact or resolution that have occurred with the opposing team.
9.3 - Response time and handling.
The admins will endeavor to respond within 48 hours of receipt of the complaint.
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Any decision will be made impartially and based on evidence provided and testimony.
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The staff may seek further clarification from the parties involved before deliberating.
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Staff decisions are final and unappealable.
9.4 - General Support Requests
For doubts, organizational problems or help with match management (schedules, drafts, technical difficulties), participants can contact the staff directly through the following official channels:
📧 Email: elderriftleague@gmail.com
The use of the Discord server is strongly recommended for a complete experience and direct contact with the organization.
9.5 - A project born from the community
Elder Rift League is not an initiative promoted by big companies or corporations, but a project created and run with passion by a small community of League of Legends players, for other players.
All the organizational work-from rules and match management to social media communication and support-is done by volunteers who devote their free time to the project.
For this reason, the timing of response to requests and messages may vary depending on the work or personal commitments of staff members.
We trust in the understanding and cooperation of all participants to maintain a peaceful, respectful and fun atmosphere.
10. Changes to
theRules and
Regulations
10.1 - Flexibility and Updates
The rules of the Elder Rift League are subject to possible changes during the course of the season, should corrections, clarifications or adjustments related to the smooth operation of the league be necessary.
10.2 - Reasons for Changes
Changes may be introduced to:
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Resolve ambiguities or gaps that have arisen during the tournament
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Adapt to technical, managerial or organizational problems
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Ensure fairness, clarity and respect for fair play
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Introduce improvements suggested by the community or field experience
10.3 - Official communication
Any rule changes will be officially communicated through the league's main channels:
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Announcement on the Discord server
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Post on Instagram
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Update on the official website
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Direct mail to teams, if necessary
10.4 - Effective
Changes will take effect only after official communication, and cannot have retroactive value on events or matches already played, except in exceptional and well-justified cases.
10.5 - Collaboration with participants
The Elder Rift League staff is committed to maintaining transparent and collaborative management. Any changes will be guided by the principle of providing a fair, fun, and sustainable experience for all teams.