FC Schalke 04 announces departure from League of Legends esports
Formerly one of Europe's strongest teams, Schalke leaves League of Legends entirely
FC Schalke 04, one of the biggest sports clubs in Europe, have announced their departure from League of Legends esports after 8 years of activity. They will disband their LoL department at the end of this year.
The esports department of Schalke was founded in 2016 and immediately began competing in the EU League Championship Series, the top competition for LoL in Europe. In 2018 they expanded their LoL operations with a second team, FC Schalke 04 Evolution. Evolution competed in the Prime League, the European Regional League covering the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). Also in 2018, Schalke joined the LoL European Championship, a franchised league that replaced the EU LCS.
Schalke downsized their LoL operations in 2021. They sold their LEC spot for €26.5 million and disbanded FC Schalke 04 Evolution, with the main team taking Evolution’s place in the Prime League.
Schalke’s best placement was in the 2018 Summer Split, finishing 2nd in the EU LCS. At a lower level, they were champions of the Prime League Pro Division in the 2020 Spring Split.
FC Schalke 04 Esports will continue to operate in EA FC esports.
Sources:
Schalke 04 Esports League of Legends' Post on twitter.com
League of Legends on schalke04.de
FC Schalke 04 Esports on lol.fandom.com
Royal Blues to earn €26.5 million from sale of LEC slot on schalke04.de
S04 summer2016.jpg on lol.fandom.com