FunPlus Phoenix to Exit China’s LPL as TJ Sports Repurchases Franchise Slot

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) will officially exit China’s League of Legends Pro League (LPL) on January 1, 2026, following a franchise slot buyback agreement with league operator TJ Sports.
02
The exit marks the end of an eight-year tenure for FPX, which entered the LPL in 2017 and won the 2019 League of Legends World Championship.
03
TJ Sports initiated the buyback program in late 2024 as part of a broader effort to optimize the league's competitive schedule.
04
The departure follows a period of declining international performance for the LPL, which saw no teams reach the 2025 World Championship finals.
05
Both parties are currently collaborating to manage the transition, including the placement of existing players and the completion of financial buyback procedures.
06
FPX was previously one of the LPL's most commercially successful organizations, maintaining high-profile partnerships with brands such as BMW, Herman Miller, OPPO, and PUMA.

Summary

FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) will officially exit China’s League of Legends Pro League (LPL) following the conclusion of the 2025 season. The organization, which entered the league in 2017, reached a mutual agreement with league operator TJ Sports to facilitate a franchise slot buyback. This transition is scheduled to be finalized by January 1, 2026, with both parties coordinating the placement of players and the completion of administrative buyback procedures.

The departure marks the end of an eight-year tenure for the organization, which became a prominent fixture in the Chinese esports landscape after winning the 2019 League of Legends World Championship. During its peak, the team maintained high-profile commercial partnerships with major global brands, including BMW, Herman Miller, and PUMA. The decision to exit is part of a broader, ongoing initiative by TJ Sports to optimize the league's competitive structure and schedule.

This development occurs against a backdrop of increasing competitive pressure within the LPL. Recent international performance, specifically at the 2025 World Championship, highlighted a widening gap between Chinese teams and their counterparts in the Korean LCK. As the LPL navigates these challenges, the league continues to restructure its operations, with no major international League of Legends events currently scheduled to take place in China throughout 2026. The exit of a former world champion underscores the shifting dynamics and evolving business strategies within the professional League of Legends ecosystem.