Sentinels is joining the LCS for 2026 season

North American esports organisation Sentinels will formally be part of the League Championship Sequence (LCS) for the 2026 season.

In line with bulletins from each LoL Esports and Sentinels, the organisation has secured a spot in North America’s premier League of Legends competitors, marking a return to the MOBA title for the primary time since its days as Phoenix1.

Rob Moore, CEO of Sentinels, commented on the growth: “That is the subsequent stage in Sentinels’ evolution. We began in 2018 with a deal with the latest video games like Fortnite, the place Sentinels Bugha introduced house the inaugural Fortnite World Cup in 2019, VALORANT, the place we’ve introduced house two worldwide trophies, and most not too long ago Marvel Rivals, the place we certified for the primary worldwide occasion however didn’t handle to deliver house a trophy.

“Now, coming into the preferred and enduring sport on this planet, League of Legends, is the pure subsequent step.”

The announcement arrives because the LCS prepares to return to an unbiased league mannequin in 2026, with Sentinels changing into the league’s eighth everlasting associate group. Earlier than the Sentinels model was established, the organisation competed within the LCS as Phoenix1 from Summer season 2016 by way of Summer season 2017.

The roster additionally represented North America on the first Rift Rivals occasion in Berlin, serving to the area defeat EU with a 4-2 document that included an ideal 2-0 efficiency in opposition to G2 Esports. In Summer season 2017, Phoenix1 was house to Mike ‘MikeYeun’ Yeung, who claimed Rookie of the Cut up.

Sentinels has since constructed a championship pedigree in Riot Video games’ tactical shooter VALORANT, profitable two worldwide trophies at VALORANT Masters Madrid 2024 and VALORANT Masters Reykjavík 2021.

In line with the discharge, Sentinels will spend money on multi-year infrastructure, teaching and participant improvement to construct a roster combining veteran expertise with rising expertise. The organisation will announce staffing, roster timelines and neighborhood initiatives within the months forward.

Moore added: “Riot has been an ideal associate to our organisation. We now have seen first-hand how a transparent aggressive framework and powerful dwell occasions can develop a scene and energise followers. Our purpose is to assist elevate the LCS whereas constructing a roster and elegance of play that our supporters can rally behind.”

The announcement was accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek video from legendary LCS participant Yiliang ‘Doublelift’ Peng, who appeared in a Sentinels uniform to welcome the organisation to the league. He confirmed that he wouldn’t be becoming a member of the roster or working with the group — although he joked about wanting to fulfill TenZ, Sentinels’ star VALORANT participant.