Sources: Team Liquid & FlyQuest to launch WNB sister teams for League Impact Series; three other LCS orgs expressed interest

Two LCS organizations, and , are set to join the League Impact Series (LIS), each building their own rosters ahead of the tournament’s start in mid-August, sources tell Sheep Esports. Though the project remains a pilot for now, three other LCS organizations have also shown interest in participating, as well as a former LCS organization.

The LIS is a new competition organized by Blue Otter, set to highlight the best players from the women’s and marginalized genders scene in North America. The tournament’s open qualifiers will begin on August 1, with teams competing for a spot in the main event. Over its course, it will boast a grand total of $10,000 in cash prizes, as well as a LAN final on October 10 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario.

After three years without an LCS Game Changers edition, following the last iteration of the tournament in September 2023, the newly launched League Impact Series has already generated significant interest from scene insiders. As confirmed by sources, two LCS organizations have committed to the tournament. Moreover, sources confirm that three others also explored options of their own, though two were unable to finalize plans and one remains in discussions for a potential partnership with another team. Sources have also indicated that Evil Geniuses, a former LCS organization, has been exploring options for a potential return to League of Legends through the women’s scene, though the extent of those discussions remains unclear.

Update for Evil Geniuses:

Evil Geniuses have partnered with Ducks Deluxe for the upcoming LIS tournament and will compete under the partnership.

Team Liquid, one of the organizations committed to this new spiritual successor, was also heavily involved in the 2023 edition, sponsoring Astrocats, the grand champions of the final LCS Game Changers tournament. From that former roster, Emily "Muramina" Bae is set to be the only returning member, though she will make the transition to support while also continuing her role as a content creator for Shopify Rebellion.

Alongside Muramina, Team Liquid’s roster will feature Ivy "Starrie" Starr in the toplane, best known for her ongoing tenure in Europe with Eterna, with whom she won the inaugural League of Legends Game Changers: Rising European circuit. The team will also field 2023 LCS Game Changers runner-ups Alice "Rhyle" Hyleman and Jerrie "Ayukura" Kraus-Liang in the jungle and midlane, respectively, as well as former Team Liquid First (the organization’s amateur sister team) AD carry Miya "miya" Kim.

An organization well known for its investment in women’s esports, FlyQuest is now ready to enter the League of Legends WNB scene. Last year, the team made its first move by sponsoring Eterna, who went on to win the inaugural European Game Changers edition, with now-returning support Skylar "Virtuosa" Hew playing a key role in the team’s success.

Alongside Virtuosa, two former Serenity players — a team previously sponsored by Golden Guardians — are set to make their return to the scene: toplaner Eylül Melissa "Shysept" Milli and AD carry Gabrielle "yumichi" Casavant. In a surprising move, content creator and Katarina one-trick Trin "Gamer Girl" will also fill the midlane position for FlyQuest, marking one of her first experiences in a truly competitive environment outside of short stints in amateur play. Finally, newcomer Violet "Violet" Stinson will fill the jungle role, making her debut in the women’s scene after several stints in amateur competition.

The League Impact Series will begin with its Open Qualifiers on August 1–2 and August 8–9, with all matches following the qualifiers set to be broadcast live for fans to follow the competition. The Group Stage will take place across three weekends, from August 15–16, August 22–23, and August 29–30, before the Playoffs begin on September 5–6.

Fans will be able to follow updates through the League Impact Series’ official Discord, as well as Twitter account. The competition will conclude with the Grand Finals on October 10 at St. Clair College in Windsor, Ontario, where the remaining two teams will compete for the LIS title.