Key information
Team Vitality announced on October 9 that it is pausing its involvement in the Ligue Française de League of Legends and closing its Vitality.Bee division. This decision follows similar exits by other organizations, including Ici Japon Corp Esport, which stated on October 7 that it will cease operations at the end of 2026, and Joblife, which shuttered its division in September.
The departures occur amid significant uncertainty regarding the league's future. Reports from Sheep Esports, cited by Esports Advocate, suggest that current operator Webedia will stop managing the LFL starting in 2027. Neither Riot nor Webedia has publicly confirmed this transition, leaving the identity of a successor unknown.
New Esports Org has confirmed it is in discussions with Riot and stakeholders but has not committed to investing in the LFL. Furthermore, the league did not host an in-person event in 2026. These factors contribute to a broader trend where only five of the 10 LEC organizations continue to field teams in regional leagues.
Stakeholders currently face limited clarity regarding the 2027 format, team count, and commercial arrangements. As organizations finalize their upcoming budgets, the lack of a named operator or confirmed funding model creates significant planning challenges for teams and sponsors alike.
