According to rumours circulating online, long-time LPL stalwarts Royal Never Give Up (RNG) have been confirmed to be losing their spot in next year’s league, and FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) could also be on the way out.

The LPL has long been one of the cornerstones of LoL esports, boasting some of the strongest teams and players globally, and consistently ranks as one of the most dominant regions at MSI and Worlds, alongside South Korea.

In the LPL, there are several teams that have long held stints at the top and become iconic in their own right, and RNG and FPX both fall into this category. 

We may have seen the last of these teams, though, at LoL Worlds 2025, as rumors suggest they will both have played their last matches in the LPL.

LPL Help With Huanfeng Situation as RNG Depart

The Weibo post claims: “RNG has been confirmed; next year, they’ll probably not have the spot. The quota is treated as a buyback; whether they’ll give it away is widely debated.”

The same post also addresses the ongoing situation involving player Tang “huanfeng” Huanfeng, stating: “The league is really good; they’re helping us recover our wages, and it should be settled. Since it’s registered with them, they’ll definitely help us pursue it.” 

This appears to reference the LPL stepping in to help players recover unpaid wages through its internal systems.

FPX Tried to Withdraw in 2024

Additionally, FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) has reportedly withdrawn from the league. “Phoenix did indeed withdraw directly. They were supposed to withdraw last year, but the quota was full, and only two can withdraw per year, so it was postponed to this year,” the post says.

If true, the exits of RNG and FPX would represent one of the biggest shake-ups in LPL history. RNG, a staple of Chinese League of Legends and a multiple-time domestic champion, has struggled in recent years following its international peak in the mid-2010s. FPX, meanwhile, famously lifted the Summoner’s Cup in 2019 but has since faced roster instability and mixed competitive results.

The post also suggests that RNG’s LPL slot will be treated as a “buyback,” allowing the organisation or the league to reclaim it. However, it’s unclear whether RNG would want to do this.

While these reports have not been officially confirmed by either the LPL or the organizations involved, they have generated widespread discussion across Chinese social media, with fans speculating on what this could mean for the future structure of the league.