Karmine Corp, the French organization, is set to make its debut in the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC) in 2024, taking over Astralis’ spot. After being rejected by Riot Games in 2022, Karmine Corp’s dream of joining the LEC has finally come true. Founded by Twitch streamers Kamel “Kameto” Kebir and Zouhair “Kotei” Darji in 2020, Karmine Corp quickly rose through the ranks in the national French league, winning championships and EMEA Masters tournaments. With a passionate fan base, they are sure to bring excitement to the European league.
Astralis, on the other hand, is bidding farewell to the LEC after a three-year run. Acquiring Origen in 2020, Astralis had a mixed performance, with their best finish being second place in the 2023 LEC Spring Groups. However, they failed to accumulate enough Championship Points in their last split, resulting in their absence from the LEC Season Finals. All players under Astralis will become free agents in the upcoming offseason.
Riot Games expressed their gratitude to Astralis for their partnership and wished them the best for the future. They have confidence that Karmine Corp will be a capable replacement, especially considering the passionate French community. Karmine Corp had previously attempted to join the LEC but didn’t meet all the requirements. The evaluation process includes assessing ownership, brand strength, fandom, business history, objectives, and player development strategies. Astralis had the power to choose the new owner of their spot, while Riot had the veto power to ensure the criteria for partnered organizations were met.
While Karmine Corp’s inclusion in the LEC brings excitement, they will also continue to compete in the French league, LFL. Their LFL roster will serve as an academy team, focusing on nurturing emerging talents in the esports community.
The stage is set for an exciting new chapter in the EMEA esports ecosystem. Karmine Corp’s passionate fan base and past performances promise to bring intense rivalries and contribute to the growth and success of the league.
Astralis’ Performance in the LEC
| Season | Performance |
|——–|————-|
| 2022 | 5th-6th |
| 2023 | 2nd |
| 2024 | 7th-8th |
Note: Astralis’ last split resulted in an early exit, preventing them from accumulating enough Championship Points to qualify for the LEC Season Finals.
Source: DOTESPORTS
