Team Vitality has decided to withdraw its academy team from the Ligue Française de League of Legends (LFL) due to uncertainty surrounding who will run the league in 2027. This decision comes shortly after another French organization, Ici Japon Corp Esport, announced its cessation of operations at the end of 2026 for similar reasons.
Vitality made the announcement in a video posted on X on Oct. 9, stating that they are pausing their LFL activities and disbanding Vitality.Bee, which has been competing in the LFL since its inception in 2019. Vitality CEO Fabien “Neo” Devide cited uncertainty over the league’s future as a major factor in their decision, emphasizing the need for a more stable ecosystem to reinvest in. He clarified that the move is a temporary pause rather than a permanent departure.
The recent departures from the LFL can be traced back to the decision by Webedia, the league’s operator, to step away from organizing the LFL starting in 2027. This move marked the end of Webedia’s involvement in the league, which began with its creation. The uncertainty surrounding the league’s future has led to concerns among participating organizations, with half of the teams from the 2026 LFL Summer Split already confirming their non-return in 2027.
Despite the challenges faced by the LFL, there is hope for a potential successor to Webedia in the form of New Esports Org. (NEO), founded by Bertrand Amar and Matthieu Dallon. NEO has taken over other esports competitions previously organized by Webedia and has been in discussions with Riot and key stakeholders to potentially take on the LFL. However, no official announcement has been made regarding the new operator.
The uncertainty surrounding the LFL’s future extends to other regional leagues as well, with changes in operators and formats being observed across Europe. Riot’s decision to discontinue the LEC Versus format, which allowed regional teams to compete in the top flight, further highlights the evolving landscape of regional esports.
While Vitality’s decision to withdraw from the LFL may raise concerns about the league’s stability, the organization’s overall business growth indicates that this move is a strategic decision within their budget. As the esports industry continues to evolve, the future of the LFL remains uncertain, with questions lingering about its operation, funding, and team participation in the upcoming seasons.
TEA was unable to uncover any official announcement from Webedia or Riot regarding the change in operator.
The pressing question at hand is whether a new operator will be designated before French organizations finalize their 2027 budgets. An even more significant question looms: Will Riot intervene to prevent the European second tier from diminishing until the licensing cycle concludes, or will they step in to maintain the development pathway before then?