Karmine Corp has officially secured a spot in the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) for the 2024 season, marking a momentous shift in the European esports landscape. This development follows months of anticipation, signaling a turning point for the French organization, which has long been eager to make its mark on the grand stage of the LEC.

Founded in March 2020 by prominent Twitch streamers Kamel “Kameto” Kebir and Zouhair “Kotei” Darji, Karmine Corp has rapidly ascended through the ranks of the national French league, the LFL. With two LFL championships and an impressive tally of four EMEA Masters tournament victories under their belt, Karmine Corp boasts a fervent fan base that was on full display at the 2023 LEC Season Finals in Montpellier. Now, the organization is all set to captivate the broader European audience in the LEC.

 https://twitter.com/lolesports/status/1714706029035028696 

A significant aspect of this development is the departure of Astralis, the organization that Karmine Corp is replacing in the LEC. Astralis entered the LEC after acquiring Origen, a long-standing team in the European league since 2015, which underwent rebranding in 2020. After a relatively brief three-season run marked by mixed performances, Astralis has made the tough decision to bid farewell to the LEC.

Astralis' best finish came in the 2023 LEC Spring Groups, where they secured second place. However, their last split was characterized by an early exit and a failure to accumulate enough Championship Points, resulting in their absence from the LEC Season Finals. Riot Games, in announcing Astralis' departure, also confirmed that all players under the organization will become free agents at the start of the upcoming offseason.

Maximilian Peter Schmidt, director of League of Legends Esports EMEA at Riot, expressed appreciation for Astralis' contributions to the league and conveyed confidence in Karmine Corp as the new entrant. Riot recognized the excitement surrounding Karmine Corp's entry, particularly in France, known for its passionate esports community.

Karmine Corp's journey to the LEC wasn't without its challenges. The article explains that the LEC's evaluation process is rigorous, encompassing factors such as ownership, brand strength, fandom, business history, objectives, and player development strategies. Karmine Corp's acceptance comes after a previous attempt in 2022 when they did not meet all the requirements. The selling team, in this case, Astralis, had the decisive power in choosing the new owner of its spot, with Riot possessing the veto power based on the established criteria for partnered organizations.

Also read: HEARTSTEEL: League of Legends' New Boy Band

Notably, Karmine Corp's involvement in the LEC won't overshadow its presence in the French LFL. The organization will continue to compete in the LFL while simultaneously participating in the LEC, with its LFL roster serving as an academy team, focused on nurturing emerging talents within the esports community.