LPL teams shrinking again? Insider reveals: RNG and FPX might withdraw, U team and L team also considering exit

Following TES’s defeat to T1 at the S15 World Championship, all four LPL teams have been knocked out. This year’s Worlds, held domestically, saw the final replay an LCK internal clash, and LPL teams persist in their dismal record against the LCK. Many fans analyzed why LPL’s strength has declined so rapidly, while several insiders revealed that next year the LPL will reduce the number of teams and player salary caps will be cut by 30%.

Han Yi’s original leak states that the player salary cap will drop by 30%. Although mid- and lower-tier players are complaining, he believes it’s a positive change because this is no longer an era of high salaries; players must earn their results on their own. Han Yi further revealed that next season, it’s very likely two teams will leave the LPL, reducing the number of teams to 14, and team slots will shrink, ending the days of coasting by without effort.

Notably, some netizens in the comments pointed out that Han Yi previously said RNG and FPX would withdraw, so why the change now—is it because he was warned? Judging by Han Yi’s latest version, it seems it’s not confirmed that RNG and FPX will exit, so he opted for a more cautious statement.

Then another insider, Lianlian Hongcha, reposted Han Yi’s Weibo and added that U and L also want to quit. Based on performance, U and L likely refer to UP and LGD.

If indeed four teams leave the LPL, it could actually benefit the league’s development. Firstly, there are too many weak teams; matches between strong and weak teams yield little effective competition or feedback, and players can’t develop properly due to insufficient intensity. Secondly, having too many teams disperses talent; some weak teams may have one or two promising players, but surrounded by less skilled teammates, they stagnate. It’s better for those players to join mid-to-upper tier teams, where they can grow more, and those teams can strengthen, preventing weaknesses in Worlds rosters.

Finally, having too many teams causes the season to be too long and filled with matches against weak opponents, which drains players’ energy and time. Viewers dislike watching one-sided games or matches between equally weak teams. Fewer teams would increase the competition's appeal. Overall, fewer mediocre teams means higher intensity, raising the league’s overall level and giving top teams more hope.

The salary cap reduction is also a good thing. Players who train hard and perform well deserve high pay. Only by fighting hard and achieving results can they gain popularity and high income, making it a form of motivation. Expecting high salaries without results encourages complacency. However, implementing this now might be late, since there’s little fresh talent; most players are veterans whose skills decline with age. The shortage of new talent is a major challenge LPL currently faces.

So, what do you think about these leaks? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.