Sources: Natus Vincere Set to Replace Rogue in the LEC Starting with the Summer Split

The LEC is poised for a significant transformation. According to Sheep Esports sources, Natus Vincere — more widely known as NAVI — is confirmed to be acquiring Rogue’s slot in the LEC. As previously suggested by Sheep Esports, the Ukrainian organization is expected to replace the Summer 2022 champions beginning with the Summer Split. Per sources, the official announcement is anticipated after the end of the current split. Sheep Esports currently holds no concrete information concerning the future of Rogue’s players or its coaching staff.

This development marks the conclusion of a lengthy saga that began in November 2023, when Team Falcons first attempted to acquire Rogue’s slot, only to be denied by Riot Games. Nearly a year later, in October 2024, Nigma also made an attempt, but negotiations ultimately failed to reach an agreement.

Once regarded as one of the premier teams in the EMEA League of Legends circuit, Rogue is now on the verge of exiting the league through a quiet and discreet departure. The organization, which had therefore been actively seeking to sell its slot since late 2023, assembled its 2025 roster at the last minute due to the absence of a buyer. On paper, the roster appeared potentially promising — notably featuring the reunion of the Worlds 2022 quarterfinal duo Kim "Malrang" Geun-seong and Emil "Larssen" Larsson — yet the lineup never found its footing. Rogue concluded both of the first two splits of the 2025 season in last place, following an already unsuccessful 2024 campaign (9th in both Winter and Spring, 10th in Summer).

NAVI will be the first new addition to the LEC since Karmine Corp joined at the beginning of 2024, taking over Astralis’ slot. Although the team might not ring a bell for many League of Legends enthusiasts, the Ukrainian organization is very popular and holds a prestigious spot within the broader esports landscape. Established in 2009 with a focus on Counter-Strike, NAVI quickly rose to prominence and has remained a powerhouse in the scene ever since. The team continues to be a fixture at the top of global CS rankings, celebrating major triumphs in 2024, including victories at both the Esports World Cup and the Copenhagen Major.

Their golden era arguably came in 2021, a year defined by the dominance of Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyljev — one of the greatest CS:GO players in history, now competing for FaZe Clan. During that time, NAVI secured the Stockholm Major title and completed the prestigious Intel Grand Slam, solidifying their legacy.

Beyond Counter-Strike, NAVI has expanded its presence into a range of other competitive titles. The organization currently fields teams in VALORANT, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, PUBG Mobile, Apex Legends, Teamfight Tactics, and Dota 2. Their Dota division made a historic splash in 2011 by winning the first-ever edition of The International, shortly after entering the game’s competitive scene.

NAVI also has a past in League of Legends, having previously participated in the now-defunct LCL, the former Russian regional league. Their LoL division was dissolved in 2017, but that could soon change. A potential return to the League of Legends ecosystem would mark NAVI’s comeback after eight years—this time at the EMEA elite level.