ahq Esports rumored to replace Rogue Warriors in LPL for 2021

Big changes in the LPL might be coming for the 2021 season, as ahq eSports Club is reportedly going to buy the spot held by Rogue Warriors. 

According to Fomos reporter Kenzi, ahq has purchased the Rogue Warrior seed in the LPL and is expected to participate in the 2021 LPL Spring Split. This comes after ahq has been participating in the newly formed PCS league, but missed out on the 2020 World Championship. 

The Taiwanese region has been in shambles since the LMS closed down and is now participating in the PCS, which is a mix of teams from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. The PCS sent two teams to Worlds this year in Machi Esports and PSG Talon, but neither team impressed in the main event or made it past the group stage. 

ahq has a long legacy in League of Legends and has been at Worlds five times in total, with its last appearance being in 2019. ahq made its biggest run in 2015, where the team made it all the way to the quarterfinals before getting knocked out by an SK Telecom T1 side that would go on to win the tournament. Together with Flash Wolves, the squad has known as one of the most successful Taiwanese esports organizations. 

Rogue Warriors to be replaced by ahq in the LPL

If ahq is entering the LPL from 2021, it means that Rogue Warriors won’t be competing in the league any longer. The organization entered League of Legends in 2018, participating at the 2017 Demacia Championship and then the 2018 LPL season. 

Rogue Warriors never managed to win a trophy and had some poor showings in the 2020 season. Rogue Warriors ended in 15th place in the most recent 2020 LPL Summer Split, only winning four games in total. 

Since the organization has never found success in the LPL, it makes sense that another organization is looking to replace it and hopefully be more competitive. If the deal becomes official, it will be interesting to see what ahq can bring to the table in what is generally considered to be the most competitive league in the world. 

An official statement on the purchase is likely to be made before the end of 2020.