China’s League of Legends Pro League (LPL) operator TJ Sports has reached an agreement with FunPlus Phoenix (FPX) for the organization to leave the league after the 2025 season. FPX will officially cease participation in the LPL and all related competitions on Jan. 1, 2026, as part of a franchise slot buyback initiated by the league.
TJ Sports publicly announced the news in a Chinese-language statement on Monday, emphasizing both the voluntary nature of the exit and the collaborative transition process. According to the statement (translated):
“Beginning January 1, 2026, FPX will no longer participate in the LPL or related competitions. Both parties will work together to properly place players and complete subsequent buyback procedures.”
The league’s organizer noted that its broader slot buyback program began late last year and is tied to “continuously optimizing the competitive schedule.”
Owned by Chinese game publisher FunPlus, FPX entered the LPL in late 2017, when FunPlus’ esports division acquired a franchise slot in the league. Run by former Riot Games League of Legends designer Chun Li as CEO, the organization quickly became one of China’s most recognizable esports brands. Just two years after joining the LPL, the team captured the 2019 League of Legends World Championship in Paris, defeating G2 Esports.
TJ Sports described FPX’s legacy in emotional terms, writing:
“Within just two years, [FPX] shocked the world and won the 2019 League of Legends World Championship for the LPL region… Over eight years together, FPX has grown from an esports club into a unique cultural symbol in the hearts of countless players.”
Among its commercial peak years, FPX held partnerships with BMW, Herman Miller, OPPO, PUMA, Huya, and other endemic and non-endemic brands—positioning it as one of China’s most marketable teams.
FPX’s exit coincides with a period of mounting competitive pressure for the LPL. At the 2025 World Championship, held across Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu, only one LPL team—Top Esports—advanced to the semifinals before being eliminated by eventual champions T1. The final was an all-Korean matchup between T1 and KT Rolster, further underscoring the widening performance gap between China’s LPL and Korea’s LCK.
Additionally, no major international League of Legends events will take place in China in 2026: MSI will be held in Daejeon, South Korea, and Worlds stages are set for Allen, Texas and New York City.
TJ Sports closed its statement with a farewell message to FPX and its fans:
“We thank FPX for walking alongside the league… We sincerely wish FPX great success as it spreads its wings on its new journey and continues writing its story.”