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

League of Legends Classic will be back in 2026, here’s what we know Wasif Ahmed Riot has announced that League Classic will come out in Season 3 of 2026, as a game mode. League Classic is “old League of Legends”, the ability to play the game on a specific patch from over a decade ago. How much information do we have? What is League Classic, when will League Classic release, and what patch will it be for? Ever wanted to rediscover the old version of ...

League of Legends

Karmine Corp vs Team Liquid: Best betting odds and picks for MSI 2026 Hannan Mundia While both Karmine Corp and Team Liquid lost one series each, both teams will have another chance to continue in the 2026 MSI play-in stage to potentially qualify for the bracket stage. Both participating teams got swept by T1 in this MSI stage, bringing them to the third round. Team Liquid’s performance against Deep Cross Gaming was impressive, but does that really mean that it has what it takes to ...

Esports Betting

T1 exposes Karmine Corp with 3-0 win at League of Legends MSI 2026 Wasif Ahmed T1 just beat Karmine Corp 3-0 in the play-in stage of the 2026 Mid-Season Invitational. More importantly, T1 turned KC’s strengths into weaknesses. The bot lane and teamfight prowess that shone in the LEC were no match this time. The match started with Karmine Corp picking a disrespectful draft, blind picking three immobile squishies. Right off the bat, a botched invade put their jungle and bot lane at a disadvantage. ...

League of Legends

KeSPA Cup returns in July 2026 exclusively on Disney+ Hannan Mundia The KeSPA Cup is slated to return sooner than most expected, though its date and exclusive Disney+ partnership raises some questions. The KeSPA Cup is an annual tournament organized directly by the Korea e-Sports Association. While it doesn’t get nearly as much attention as Riot-organized leagues and events, LCK powerhouses still participate in it. 2025’s KeSPA Cup is still fairly fresh since it took place in December. This year’s tournament ...

Esports Betting

Best betting odds and picks for T1 vs Karmine Corp at MSI 2026 Hannan Mundia This year’s MSI is still ongoing, and the next match in the play-in stage is slated to pit T1 against the LEC’s Karmine Corp. Both participating teams absolutely destroyed their respective opponents in this stage’s first round. With two 3-0 scores, both Karmine Corp and T1 have established themselves as powerhouses. However, the level of opposition was clearly different, and that fact may show its face in this match. Tournament: ...

Esports Betting

T1 vs Team Liquid: Best betting odds and picks for MSI 2026 Hannan Mundia The League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) 2026 will kick off with T1 facing off against Team Liquid, but will the match really be as one-sided as the betting odds make it out to be? While some didn’t think that the reigning world champions, T1 would make it to this year’s MSI, the team proved many wrong once again. It barely made it to the play-in stage, where Team Liquid ...

Esports Betting

Karmine Corp vs Deep Cross Gaming: Best betting odds and picks for MSI 2026 Wasif Ahmed Karmine Corp goes up against Deep Cross Gaming on the first day of MSI 2026. Obviously, KC is the favorite by a long shot. Does DCG actually stand a chance, though? Can they repeat the achievements of CTBC Flying Oyster who took down KC at First Stand 2025? Tournament: Mid-Season Invitational 2026 Stage: Play-in Game: League of Legends Format: Best-of-five Betting tips: As the second seed from a lower region, ...