Update: Eragon and Hysterics have launched the LPL English Revival:
Original article: The Chinese League of Legends esports tournament series, the LPL, is moving away from a traditional broadcast model with casters to a co-streaming-only one.
This means the broadcast as we know it has been axed.
The official LoL Esports account posted the following on social media account X in the early hours of this morning.
“In 2025, we’re excited to introduce a new approach for the LPL English broadcast by moving to a co-streaming-only model,” Riot Games said.
“This change aims to bring LPL English-speaking fans closer to the action by building a community-centered broadcast experience. Our goal is to enhance the way fans connect with LPL, meeting the players where they are and allowing them to enjoy matches in real-time through their favorite streamers.
“We recognise that this is a significant change and may look different from what fans have come to expect from LPL English broadcasts. While there won’t be an official broadcast in the traditional sense, we’re committed to ensuring fans have options to catch up on the action.”
Riot Games
“We’re working on providing “Clean Feeds” of each match, which will include only in-game audio, as well as exploring options for co-streamed VODs. Fans can also follow our LPL English channels for the latest news and content.
“We’re eager to bring fans closer to the LPL through this community-focused approach, and we believe this evolution will create more engaging and memorable experiences for our audience. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we can’t wait to enjoy the 2025 season together with our amazing fans!”
The community reacted to the news generally negatively, with sadness and frustration.
The phrasing and presentation of the statement was also surprising, presenting this as a positive move, with Riot saying its ‘excited’ to announce it, but with no thank yous or mentions of the outgoing casters.
Update: Mazel has since posted this, an LPL English broadcast project which the community has rallied around:
‘I love this league, it’s always had amazing stories and I cannot tell you how much I will miss the casters’ voices’ – reaction to LPL English broadcast going co-streaming-only
Several UK and Irish casters have been a part of the LPL in the past, including Jamada, Nymaera, Munchables, Dagda and Oisin.
They reacted below:
Dagda made a longer post, saying: “To say I’m heartbroken is an understatement. Some of my fondest memories in my career are casting the LPL with my best friends. I listened to Munchables mess up a WWE reference, I watched Lyric solo cast a series and get MVP for it, and I giggled as Hysterics told me about a bear in a honey tree being out for revenge. The first time I was recognised globally for a casting moment was when I left a bruise on Oisin’s arm, whacking him screaming “GALA” in our finals cast.
“The LPL has always been a league of passion. It is built on the back of community leaders and pilfered translations. Fans’ sleepless nights and sneaky streams in work. A dedication to seeing a new era of players rise up to take over from the Old Gods. We watched Knight lift his first trophy and screamed as Bin demolished some of the best players in the World on an international stage.
“It is a league that has always had amazing stories that deserve to be told, and the LPL English broadcast have been at the forefront of bringing those stories to life. I cannot tell you how much I will miss their voices. I love this league and please do not stop sharing these stories with the world.”
Hysterics posted a few days ago, saying he’s looking for co-streaming rights to the NLC or EBL, the leagues that Caedrel’s new Los Ratones team are eligible to play in.
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
