Evil Geniuses returns to League of Legends through a partnership with Ducks Deluxe for the League Impact Series

Evil Geniuses will compete in next month's League Impact Series (LIS). After stepping away from League of Legends at the end of 2023, the organization is set to make its competitive return through a partnership with WNB team, Ducks Deluxe. The announcement was made on Tuesday via a roster reveal video published on X.

The League Impact Series is a Game Changers tournament organized by Blue Otter rather than League of Legends developer Riot Games, with the aim of revitalizing the North American women's competitive scene. An open qualifier will begin on August 1, with four teams advancing to the Group Stage, where they will join four directly invited teams.

To receive a direct invitation to the Group Stage, organizations were required to secure a Tier 1 sponsor. It is for that reason that Ducks Deluxe partnered with Evil Geniuses, joining Team Liquid and FlyQuest, who, as previously reported by Sheep Esports, are also expected to compete in the tournament. The roster is as follows:

The partnership marks the return of one of the LCS' most iconic organizations. Evil Geniuses competed in North America's premier league from 2013 to 2015 before returning from 2020 to 2023. The organization reached its peak in 2022, winning the LCS Spring Split and qualifying for both the Mid-Season Invitational and the World Championship behind a star mid-jungle duo of and .

Later that year, AD Carry Kyle "Danny" Sakamaki stepped away from competitive play due to mental health concerns. The organization's handling of his situation significantly damaged its reputation, and following a disappointing 2023 season, Evil Geniuses ultimately exited the League of Legends scene. With this return, the organization may be testing the waters before considering a more permanent comeback to top-level competition.