Sources: Esprit Shōnen approved for LFL 2026 and set to keep four players

Fresh off their promotion to the LFL after winning the Up & Down tournament, Esprit Shōnen is expected to join the French first division next year. According to information from Sheep Esports, Webedia has indeed approved the team’s application for the upcoming season. They will be the only new team confirmed to join the LFL this offseason, despite the departure of two organizations.

Following their victory at the Up & Down, the team was not assured of playing in the LFL next season, mainly due to budget issues. In an interview given to Sheep Esports a few weeks ago, the influencer and CEO of the team, Ayoub "Noachu" Ait Baalla, had stated that his team would move up to the first division if and only if they managed to meet the budget they hoped for to be competitive.

After concluding a nearly perfect year in LFL Division 2, Esprit Shōnen will finally experience the LFL. The team has dominated the league head and shoulders this season. Winner of the winter split and finalist of the spring, ES dominates the beginning of the year. And even after a botlane change before the summer, notably with Franciszek "Harpoon" Gryszkiewicz's departure to Galions, Esprit Shōnen, the team won the summer split and advanced to the Up & Down. The team triumphs twice over Team BDS Academy to qualify for the first division.

Their promotion was not guaranteed despite that. Noachu explained to us in an interview that the structure was "at 45 percent of the amount we would really like to reach. Even if we're at 60% or 70% we won't launch the year." ES wanted to ensure they had a competitive project and be able to play at the top of the LFL standings and the EMEA Masters from their first year.

Noachu had also expressed his desire to retain a good portion of his roster from last year. "I think all the players I had this year are capable of winning the LFL and are capable of performing at the EMEA Masters." I know it's hard to believe since we've seen we're Div2 teams, but I know what my team is capable of."

Per sources, Esprit Shonen has succeeded in doing so as they are expected to keep four players of their roster, a rare occurrence among teams promoting to the LFL.

For more roster changes, check out our Transfers Hub and Offseason Live Tracker.