Former Worlds winning organisation leaves Tier 1 League of Legends

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Last Updated: 17/11/2025

The League of Legends Pro League (LPL) has confirmed that the league have repurchased FunPlus Phoenix’s LPL spot by mutual agreement.

The news is another blow to the LPL, which has been embroiled in turmoil on multiple fronts in 2025.

Controversies surrounding unpaid wages and player conduct have made the headlines on several occasions in 2025, leading to an image of a league in disarray.

FunPlus Phoenix may be only the first domino to fall prior to the kickoff of the beginning of the LPL’s 2026 season.

From League of Legends Worlds winners to withdrawal

FPX had become one of the most recognisable brands in League of Legends following their rapid ascendancy to Worlds glory.

The organisation entered the LPL for the 2018 season, with Korea’s Kim ‘GimGoon’ Han-saem being supported by Chinese stars like Liu ‘Crisp’ Qing-Song and Lin ‘Lwx’ Wei-Xiang.

2018 saw a roughly even win/loss rate for the organisation, before the 2019 additions of Gao ‘Tian’ Tian-Liang and Kim ‘Doinb’ Tae-sang.

The jungle and mid-laner proved to be the iconic roster change of the organisation, propelling the team to the best record in the Spring regular season, before Summer playoffs victory.

The 2019 Worlds title followed, as the Chinese roster broke European hearts on multiple occasions, defeating Fnatic, Invictus Gaming, and G2 in the Grand Finals to claim the Summoner’s Cup.

2020 saw the team regress, but 2021 saw them once again win LPL Summer before a disappointing Worlds ended that iteration of the roster.

Since then, the organisation has generally had positive to middling results, but has not reached an LPL Grand Final in that time.

The organisation was touched by LPL’s player controversies in 2025, as Cai ‘milkyway’ Zi-Jun was indefinitely suspended from the organisation pending an investigation into the player leaking drafts at the 2024 Demacia Cup.

The player has allegedly received a lifetime ban following the investigation, but the LPL is yet to outlay its findings officially.

LPL Statement in full:

“At the end of last year, the league initiated the repurchase of club slots. Guided by the principle of continuously optimising the competition schedule and adhering to voluntary applications, the league recently reached a mutual agreement with FPX (FunPlus Phoenix) Esports Club through amicable negotiations: FPX Esports Club will cease participation in the LPL and related competitions effective January 1, 2026. Both parties will jointly ensure the proper placement of players and complete subsequent repurchase procedures.

Looking back to 2017, a “young phoenix” entered the LPL. Within just two years, it made a stunning impact, securing the 2019 League of Legends World Championship title for the LPL region! The slogan ‘Phoenix rises in the East, its cry echoes across the seas’ has since resonated throughout the competitive arena. Over eight years of partnership, FPX has evolved from an esports club into a unique cultural symbol etched in the hearts of countless summoners. The moments forged by the Little Phoenix’s passion and fervour have become indelible, brilliant marks in the annals of LPL history, leaving a profound and vivid impression on the memories of countless summoners.

We thank FPX for weathering storms and walking hand in hand with the League. Striving on our own paths, we share the same winds across a thousand miles! We sincerely wish FPX Esports Club soaring wings on its new journey and continued triumphs in writing new chapters of glory!”

Who else could leave the LPL?

It is speculated that other organisations may withdraw from the LPL, notably MSI 2018, 2021, and 2022 champions Royal Never Give Up.

According to Sheep Esports, the organisation is looking for options regarding its LPL spot, as the org struggles with its finances.

Those struggles have led to several unpaid athletes and organisational members, the most notable of which is LoL Hall of Famer Jian ‘Uzi’ Zihao.

The legendary ADC claimed that he was effectively forced into retirement by the organisation, resulting in later legal action by the player.

In late June, the Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court ordered RNG and its founder Yao’Baixing’ Juncheng to pay ¥162,118,224 (approx. £795,500) to an unnamed party, but further legal action remains against the organisation.

Darragh Harbinson, Senior Editor

Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.

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