Look Sports Media – Riot Games has dropped a bombshell, terminating PSG Talon’s partnership agreements with both the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) and the Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific. This drastic move effectively boots the organization from both prestigious leagues, sending shockwaves through the APAC esports scene.
The decision, announced earlier today, means all PSG Talon players are now free agents, eligible to be picked up by other teams ahead of the 2026 season. This comes after a disappointing showing at League of Legends Worlds 2025, where PSG Talon finished 15th/16th.
Why the Ban Hammer Fell
Related Post
Riot Games cited "Talon’s failure to operate in accordance with league standards, especially significant delays in payments to players and coaches" as the primary reason for the termination. Despite multiple extensions granted to allow the organization to rectify the situation, PSG Talon failed to meet the necessary financial obligations.
The League of Legends and Valorant developers emphasized that Talon was unable to fulfill the requirements for continued participation in the LCP.
What Happens Next?
Riot is currently exploring options for replacing PSG Talon in the LCP. One possibility is promoting a team from the LCP Promotion 2026 tournament, such as Dino Saigon or Deep Cross Gaming. For the VCT Pacific slot, Riot has launched an application process, inviting teams from across the APAC region to compete for the coveted partnership.
"Riot Games has sent invitations to a number of teams in APAC as part of a selective competitive application process to find a replacement team. We will provide an update when we have finalized the process," the statement read.
This expulsion is another high-profile removal from Riot’s partnership system, following Movistar KOI’s departure from the VCT circuit earlier this year. Gentle Mates subsequently secured the vacant VCT EMEA slot.
A Blow to PSG
This news is a significant blow to PSG Talon and its partnership with French football giant Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). In October, Nadia Benmokhtar, Diversification & Merchandising Director at PSG, expressed confidence in the partnership, stating, "We have Talon in Asia, we have a very good relationship with them. We trust them when it comes to League of Legends." The future of that trust remains uncertain.
PSG Talon’s Response
PSG Talon’s League of Legends division released a statement acknowledging their removal from the LCP:
"It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce today our departure from League of Legends, following Riot’s removal of our team from the LCP… Our current financial difficulties are primarily the result of several months of delays in funding from our current financing round… TALON will be taking a step back from League of Legends Esports to reassess our future."
A similar statement was shared on Talon’s Valorant account.
Where Do the Players Land?
The now-free agent rosters of PSG Talon are:
- League of Legends: Huang ‘Azhi’ Shang-chih, Hung ‘Karsa’ Hau-hsuan, Huang ‘Maple’ Yi-tang, Lu ‘Betty’ Yu-hung, Lin ‘Woody’ Hung-yu
- Valorant: Thanamethk ‘Crws’ Mahatthananuyut, Jittana ‘JitboyS’ Nokngam, Papaphat ‘Primmie’ Sriprapha, Anupong ‘thyy’ Preamsak, Tanate ‘killua’ Teerasawad
The League of Legends roster, a consistent Worlds contender, and the Valorant team, known for their strong performances in the VCT Pacific, are expected to be highly sought after.
Jake Sin, Head of Esports for VCT Pacific, hinted at a preference for a new partner that "resonates with our Thai community," potentially opening doors for organizations looking to acquire the talented Valorant roster.
Riot’s Official Statements
The full statements from Riot Games regarding the LCP and VCT decisions can be found on looksports.media.
Leave a Comment