Royal Never Give Up (RNG), one of the most iconic names in the history of competitive League of Legends, has officially stepped away from both the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) and the League of Legends Development League (LDL) as of the 2025 season. This decision marks a stunning turning point in Chinese esports, as the organization struggles with severe financial insolvency and internal instability. Once a powerhouse of talent and achievement, RNG’s exit has reverberated across the broader professional scene, with implications that could impact the future of Chinese competitive League of Legends for years to come.
The Fall of a Titan: A Season to Forget
Founded in 2012, RNG quickly rose through the ranks to become one of China’s most storied esports organizations. The team amassed a celebrated resume that included five LPL championships and three Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) titles in 2018, 2021, and 2022. RNG also gave rise to legendary players like Jian “Uzi” Zihao, Shi “Ming” Senming, Li “Xiaohu” Yuan-Hao, and Liu “Mlxg” Shiyu. However, the 2024 season marked a dramatic unraveling of this legacy.
After finishing last in the LPL 2024 Summer Split, RNG was relegated to the LDL. The organization’s academy squad, Royal Club, performed even worse, posting a 0–11 record before being disbanded. Facing mounting operational and financial pressure, RNG formally withdrew both rosters from Chinese professional play starting in 2025.
Massive Debt and Legal Entanglements
At the core of RNG’s collapse lies a financial crisis of alarming proportions. As reported by Sheep Esports, RNG has accrued debts exceeding 1 billion yuan (approximately $140 million USD). The organization is entangled in over a dozen lawsuits, including a pivotal June 18, 2025 court ruling that ordered RNG to pay 162.18 million yuan in unpaid wages.
Basic operations such as player salaries and venue costs became unsustainable. The financial deterioration was publicly acknowledged by RNG CEO Li Jieming, who admitted that the organization “has never been profitable” and had only survived through continual financial “blood transfusions” from investors and sponsors.
From Brand Powerhouse to Sponsorless
RNG’s fall is made even more striking given its once-glittering commercial appeal. At their peak, Royal Never Give Up attracted major sponsors such as Mercedes-Benz, KFC, and Logitech, leveraging its fan-favorite stars and competitive success. But by 2025, nearly all partners had withdrawn, leaving Huya Live as RNG’s sole remaining sponsor.
CEO Li Jieming’s admission underscores why sponsors fled: behind the achievements was an organization drowning in financial mismanagement. With no sustainable revenue streams and high operational costs, even RNG’s commanding legacy could not offset investor concerns.
Ripple Effects Across the LDL
The impact of RNG’s withdrawal extends well beyond the team itself. According to Sheep Esports, LDL viewership plummeted by 23% following RNG’s exit. Additionally, sponsor renewal rates fell below 50%, signaling broader commercial instability for the league.
This downturn highlights RNG’s importance not just as a competitor, but as a foundational pillar of the Chinese League of Legends ecosystem. Its departure may serve as a harbinger of further instability if deeper reforms and structural support are not introduced across the scene.
A Legacy That Endures – But Not On Stage
Despite their recent collapse, Royal Never Give Up remains a monumental name in LoL history. Their championship runs and iconic rosters have left indelible marks on the game. Fans can still relive RNG’s defining moments and the final chapters of its competitive legacy through available archives on platforms such as Onivia (YouTube) and Loleventvods (YouTube).
The Broader Implications for Esports Economics
RNG’s downfall is a cautionary tale about the volatility and volatility of esports economics. The rapid expansion of competitive gaming brands, often driven more by hype than sustainable business practices, poses significant risks. RNG’s inability to turn decades of competitive success into profitability reveals cracks in the foundation of many esports organizations operating at the top level.
As spectators, investors, and governing bodies reckon with these challenges, RNG’s collapse will likely serve as a defining case study. Moving forward, organizational transparency, financial sustainability, and long-term planning will be critical for the survival of competitive teams – not just their ability to win titles.
What Comes Next?
While the future of Royal Never Give Up remains uncertain, its story underscores a pivotal theme for professional League of Legends and esports as a whole: talent and success alone are not enough to ensure longevity. RNG may no longer be present in the LPL or LDL starting in 2025, but its history will continue to resonate among fans and analysts who watched its meteoric ascent and its sobering descent.
