League of Legends followers name out Chris Geeley over Worlds location

From League of Legends to VALORANT to the FGC, esports scenes have expressed considerations about attending and competing at occasions held in the US amid ongoing tensions and visa points.

Again in January 2026, KRU Esports’ IGL, Matias “Saadhak” Delipetro, revealed that the group might miss the VCT Americas Kickoff occasion because of the problem of getting visas for the US. KRU introduced a substitute lineup after its total roster confronted visa delays. Escapists’ employees questioned why the occasion couldn’t be moved to Brazil as a substitute, however figured Riot wished to maintain it close to its studio and workers.

Nevertheless, continued visa points and rising considerations over the US’ political turmoil produce other esports scenes feeling cautious about continued tournaments within the nation. Not solely are groups having points getting visas authorized in time, however loads of followers have expressed concern over attending occasions in America because the Trump Administration amps up ICE. Many followers have expressed feeling unsafe.

A 12 months in the past, the FGC additionally questioned if combating recreation tourneys must be moved elsewhere, particularly with prime Japanese gamers struggling to get visas. One fan mentioned on Reddit: “I do know traditionally, particularly in Tekken, gamers have had issues securing visas to play right here within the states. I really feel like that difficulty goes to get method worse, and I believe many overseas gamers will merely refuse to return right here. I really feel like this will probably be an enormous hit on an already weakened scene. Ideas?”

Somebody answered: “Even past gamers not getting in due to their nationality, loads of people gained’t come due to the politics/ danger.  Hell, I dwell within the US and skip some occasions due to the place they’re held. When usually pleasant governments just like the UK difficulty journey warnings, that’s an indication that issues are dangerous.”

One other merely mentioned: “We’re cooked.”

Sheep Esports requested Chris Greeley, the International Head of League of Legends Esports, how he felt about persevering with to carry occasions in America, and the neighborhood didn’t like his response.

Chris Greeley: “There Have been All the time Immigration Considerations” at Different Worlds Occasions

In an interview performed by Sheep Esports, Greeley was requested how he felt about continued visa delays for US-based occasions, which might closely affect Worlds. This 12 months, it’s returning to North America, hitting Los Angeles for Play-Ins, Allen, Texas for Quarterfinals and Semi-Finals, and New York Metropolis for the Finals.

Acknowledged Riot: “For the most important second of the 12 months, Worlds is heading to Brooklyn! The Grand Ultimate will happen at Barclays Middle in Brooklyn, New York, one of the crucial iconic arenas on the earth. It’s the proper setting to crown a brand new World Champion, honor the legacy of League of Legends, and unite followers from across the globe for an unforgettable night time.”

Nevertheless, sentiment from the League of Legends neighborhood has been combined. If a certified group have been unable to attend Worlds attributable to a visa difficulty, that might actually put a damper on the whole occasion. Others questioned in the event that they’d be protected in massive cities, which have been stuffed with ICE brokers, protests, and different political chaos.

Greeley didn’t appear all too involved. He mentioned: “We’re all the time taking a look at contingencies, no matter the place we’re on the earth. I can’t bear in mind a world occasion within the final couple of years the place there weren’t some visa or immigration considerations proper up till the occasion.

“If one or two groups are having bother, we’ll proceed working instantly with these groups, together with our businesses and any authorities contacts we will leverage. That’s basically our customary working process — to do every little thing we will to assist groups achieve entry. In conditions the place there are remoted instances — like a single participant or group unable to attend — we do search for fallback choices, and we’ve performed that previously.”

In different phrases, Greeley didn’t appear to suppose something was out of the strange. Followers famous that having this type of view may very well be dangerous to Worlds, principally not taking any motion till one thing does occur and it’s too late.

One passionate fan famous that the “immigration considerations” prior to now don’t examine to the “immigration considerations” with the US in 2026. Slightly than simply being barred from coming into a rustic, followers are actually afraid of being “killed on the street” or being taken to “focus camps” because the presence of ICE brokers grows.

He wrote: “It’s by no means the identical.”