Los Ratones May Join LEC Winter 2026 in Major Expansion

London, UK — UK-based esports organization Los Ratones could be included in the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) Winter 2026. This potential expansion would increase the league from 10 teams to 12 and reportedly includes two teams from the European Regional Leagues (ERL), according to claims by Sheep Esports.

Los Ratones, created by Twitch streamer Marc ‘Caedrel’ Lamont, has secured its position as a top contender by winning two EMEA Masters trophies this year. The proposed Winter 2026 event would feature Los Ratones and the winner of the EMEA Masters Summer Championship, set to conclude by November 2, 2025, sparking excitement among fans.

However, complications could arise if Los Ratones clinches a third title, as this would elevate their Summer Split finals opponent to the LEC temporarily. This situation could lead to the academy team GIANTX Pride stepping into the LEC, presenting a unique conflict as noted by esports analysts.

Maximilian Peter ‘MAXtheX’ Schmidt, Director of League of Legends Esports in EMEA, stated that conversations about including EMEA Masters teams in official competitions are ongoing. ‘I’m engaging with Los Ratones to understand their goals and how we can support that,’ he told Sheep Esports. Schmidt added that Riot Games is exploring ways to better connect the leagues.

Despite the increasing interest in integrating ERL teams into the LEC, some organizations express concern that it could devalue the existing franchises. In a recent Twitch livestream, Karmine Corp owner Kamel ‘Kameto’ Kebir voiced his disapproval of the plans, claiming that no agreement had been reached among the LEC teams regarding Los Ratones’ inclusion.

While some fans eagerly accommodate the idea of seeing new teams like Los Ratones enter the LEC, others worry that these changes could undermine the investments made by the teams into the league. As of now, no official changes have been confirmed for the upcoming season.