Royal Never Give Up Exits League of Legends After 15 Year Dynasty
Chinese esports powerhouse Royal Never Give Up (RNG) has officially withdrawn from League of Legends competition after 15 years, marking the end of one of the scene’s most storied organisations.
The departure, announced via a single, evocative X post on January 8, 2026, comes amid mounting financial woes, legal disputes, and declining performance.
What can I say, RNG out … #LeagueOfLegends pic.twitter.com/pvvW8qy2dC
— Royal Never Give Up (@RNG) January 8, 2026
Formerly Royal Club, RNG redefined Chinese LoL with domestic dominance and international heartbreak, but could never claim a Worlds title.
A Legacy of Glory and Heartbreak
RNG amassed five LPL titles and a record three MSI championships (2018, 2021, 2022) more than any other team.
Major Achievements:
- 5x LPL Champions
- 3x MSI Champions (record holder)
- Worlds Runners-Up: 2013 (as Royal Club, lost to SKT T1), 2014 (lost to Samsung White)
- Worlds Semi Final: 2017
- Last International: Worlds 2022 (MSI 2022 win)
The org launched legends like Uzi (Hall of Legends inductee), Xiaohu, Mlxg, Mata, and inSec.Once tipped as China’s first Worlds winners, RNG was eclipsed by IG (2018), FPX, and EDG.
The Downfall: Struggles On and Off the Rift
RNG’s decline accelerated after their final international triumph at MSI 2022, with the team absent from every major tournament since 2023 and delivering dismal results in recent LPL and LDL splits. These on Rift failures were overshadowed by a cascade of off Rift legal and financial calamities that ultimately proved fatal.
In 2019-2020, RNG breached a contract with streaming giant Douyu, prompting a court to order their parent company, LeYou, to pay 30 million yuan which is roughly £3.2 million in damages.
Fast-forward to 2025, and a bitter dispute with ex-jungler Mlxg ended with a court victory for RNG, he was ordered to repay 25 million yuan (about £2.6 million) for failing to fulfill streaming hours, amid accusations of illegal stock trading.
The saga intensified with Uzi, the Hall of Legends ADC, publicly claiming unpaid seven figure wages and staging a dramatic protest outside RNG’s offices. Broader repercussions included a staggering $22.5 million damages ruling against the organization, with looming claims potentially reaching $140 million, draining resources and eroding stability in an already unforgiving Chinese esports landscape.
LPL Shake Up and Future Outlook
RNG’s exit shrinks the LPL to 14 teams for 2026, alongside FunPlus Phoenix’s confirmed departure. This signals deeper financial pressures in Chinese LoL, closing a chapter on a titan that shaped the region.
Since: October 29, 2025
