Which region is TSM going to after leaving LCS?

Nicholas James Published 21/05/2023

TSM has announced its departure from the North American professional League of Legends scene, departing the LCS, but which region is TSM going to?

TSM has been synonymous with the North American League of Legends since the beginning, but that’s soon to be no more. The organization announced that it would be moving from the LCS to another tier-one region, ceasing LCS operations. With only three valid options to choose from, where does it seem most likely that TSM will set its sites?

Which region is TSM going to?

TSM has three choices if it wants to migrate to another tier-one LoL region, Europe’s LEC, Korea’s LCK, and China’s LPL. The two candidates that seem most likely for TSM to migrate to are the LEC and the LPL. The LEC holds some potential value to TSM as another English-speaking region familiar with their presence in League of Legends. Several franchise slots seemed to have uncertain futures in late 2022, so it’s possible TSM is looking to scoop up one of those spaces to begin building a European roster.

The most likely candidate, it seems, is China’s LPL. Unlike other regions, China’s premier division houses 17 teams, which far exceeds the 10 in North America and Europe.

TSM has tried to lean into Chinese-speaking teams previously, even importing players and staff from China. With these connections already in place, it seems likely that TSM wants to be a part of the largest region. China’s player population, talent pool, and audience size eclipse any other region, so there’s a straightforward logic to the choice. TSM will have the most opportunity to grow in the largest region, so the LPL seems to be the most likely candidate.

Nothing is set in stone right now, but with little to point towards the LCK, the LEC, and LPL are leading the pack as the most likely targets for TSM’s next home following its controversial exodus from North American League of Legends.

Nicholas James

About Nicholas James

Nicholas James is a gaming writer with a passion for all things geekdom, as well as live theater. Nicholas is best known for covering League of Legends and other top MOBA titles, but his expertise covers numerous games across multiple genres. When not watching the LCS or playing the latest new release, Nicholas can be found doing some tabletop gaming and painting his favorite miniatures. Nicholas has also published with Hotspawn, TheGamer, Dexerto, Esports.gg and other industry outlets.

View full profile

Read Also

Esports Betting

Locke preview: LoL’s single new champion of 2026 Wasif Ahmed League’s newest champion Locke will hit the Rift on June 24 alongside patch 26.13. As a mid lane AP assassin, the Ashen Exorcist is the only champion that Riot will release in 2026. The demon hunter will be unique for an assassin in that he has to set up his burst before delivering it. Read all about it in our Locke preview. The Ashen Exorcist is a demon-hunting melee, AP ...

Esports Betting

Top Esports beats Team WE in the LPL, qualifies for MSI 2026 Wasif Ahmed Against all odds, Top Esports faced Team WE in the LPL upper bracket final. Both teams fought over a spot for the Mid-Season Invitational that everyone expected Anyone’s Legend, Bilibili Gaming, or JD Gaming to claim. In the end, TES paused WE’s Cinderella story as they beat them 3-0. Before this series, World Elite had defeated two LPL powerhouses in BLG and AL. Against TES, though, they suddenly lost all ...

League of Legends

G2 Esports complete comeback against Karmine Corp to win LEC Spring 2026 Hannan Mundia After a fairly smooth split, G2 Esports emerged victorious in the 2026 LEC Spring split grand final by making a comeback against Karmine Corp. The 2026 LEC Spring split has finally concluded. With spots at MSI and the Esports World Cup on the line, every professional European team gave it their all to get as far as they could. While most teams fell quickly, Karmine Corp and G2 Esports managed ...

Esports Betting

G2 Esports vs Karmine Corp 2026 LEC Spring: Best odds, picks Hannan Mundia The 2026 LEC Spring split is about to conclude, with G2 Esports and Karmine Corp facing off one last time to see which team qualifies for the Esports World Cup. While both teams have done well to make it to this LEC split’s grand final, only one team can be crowned the victor. With a direct ticket to the EWC on the line, there’s a strong chance that G2’s dominating ...

Esports Betting

MKOI vs Karmine Corp 2026 LEC Spring betting preview: Best odds and picks Hannan Mundia Two LEC spots are open for this year’s Mid-Season Invitational, and MKOI will battle against Karmine Corp to determine which team grabs it. The ongoing LEC Spring split is almost done, and only three teams remain. While G2 Esports has already established itself as the strongest so far with a guaranteed spot in the grand final, Movistar KOI and Karmine Corp will battle it out on the big stage for ...

League of Legends

LCK 2026 Road to MSI: Teams, format, and schedule Hannan Mundia With the LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2 complete, the qualified teams will battle it out in Road to MSI. With two spots for the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational and one spot for the 2026 Esports World Cup on the line, here’s everything to know about the LCK 2026 Road to MSI. Six teams have qualified for Road to MSI, but only two MSI spots are available for this region. While powerhouse teams ...

Esports Betting

KT Rolster vs T1 2026 LCK Season Rounds 1-2: Best odds and picks Hannan Mundia KT Rolster and T1 will face off in the last week of 2026 LCK Rounds 1-2 to potentially improve their starting position at Road to MSI. KT Rolster and T1 have both had their moment to shine in the ongoing 2026 LCK split. With one week remaining, the two teams will battle against each other for a chance at acquiring second place and starting with a significant advantage in the ...