LoL: G2 Esports pauses their Hel program due to lack of sponsors

Despite a year marked by dominance and breakthroughs in the mixed scene, G2 Esports have decided to pause their sister division focused on the women’s and marginalized genders scene, G2 Hel, the team announced on Friday. Long regarded as one of the most stable teams in the scene, the organization had been active for over three years and collected numerous trophies throughout its tenure. G2 Hel were notably home to the most dominant botlane duo in the scene’s history, former AD Carry Maya “Caltys” Henckel and support Ève “Colomblbl” Monvoisin, who remained with the organization from its inception to its closure.

With more structured competition on the horizon and increased investment flowing into the women’s scene, many expected 2026 to mark a positive turning point for diversity in esports. Instead, a shift is now underway—for better or worse—bringing significant uncertainty about the scene’s future.

Beyond G2’s announcement, this period has also been marked by multiple departures. Galions Pearl disbanded last month in favor of the organization’s new academy project in the Nexus League, Galions Sharks, while the Solary Académie project was placed on pause earlier this month. In the cases of G2 Hel and Solary Académie, sources have pointed to a lack of sponsors as the primary cause. Additionally, sources have indicated that Zerance Bloom have shut down due to monetary issues, though the organization has yet to officialize its decision.

At the same time, sources indicate that two other staples of the scene, SK Avarosa and Vitality Rising Bees, could reduce spending, though both are still expected to field rosters next year. SK Avarosa, in particular, has yet to make a final decision and is currently delaying efforts to build its 2026 initiative. As for Solary Académie, some internal discussions have continued to take place, with members of the parent organization expressing a desire to keep the project alive. Any continuation, however, would come with significantly reduced costs, as the project would no longer be backed by a sponsor.

Despite the news, a silver lining may remain for the Samurais. Sources close to the organization told Sheep Esports that G2 Esports are still exploring potential ways to re-enter the scene. The organization had already sensed possible issues two months ago, and team members were warned that G2 Hel could go on hiatus by the end of the year if funding could not be secured. The decision was officially confirmed internally on the day of the Nova Series Grand Finals, December 5th.

Upon reaching out for comment, a spokesperson for G2 Esports addressed the recent news: “[Our academy project] and G2 Hel are completely unrelated. We were in discussions with sponsors for both of them. I hope that the enthusiasm around our academy team [in the Prime League] will allow us to reactivate the Hel team as quickly as possible. As soon as we find the right partners or Riot supports the ecosystem, we could be back.”