As the LFL Division 2 draws to a close after the finale between IziDream and Ici Japon Corp. Esport on August 4, the league could change its face in 2025. With format changes planned within the League of Legends ecosystem for 2025, questions are being asked about the future of France's second tier. In this article, Sheep Esports attempts to give fans a greater understanding of what goes on behind the scenes thanks to information shared by sources.

Three splits: even for ERLs?

Last June, Riot Games announced a number of changes for their ecosystem, including the globalization of the three-split system. One of the aims of this change is to make it easier for the publisher to integrate a third international tournament. According to our sources, Riot is also planning to adapt this change to ERLs with a transition to the three-split model. It also appears that each league will have a certain level of freedom in how they adapt to this new format.

Webedia, operator of the LFL and since this year also of the EMEA Masters, has not yet decided on the definitive format for 2025. However, a possible transition to three days played per week in the French first division would be one of the main factors affecting the future of the Division 2.

The Division 2 at weekends?

This change, combined with the pace of the LEC, would leave only one evening available for the Division 2. Finding a new place in the already very tight League of Legends esport schedule is therefore a real challenge. According to our sources, one possibility under consideration would be to move Division 2 to the weekend in the early afternoon before the LEC.

However, such a move would partly encroach on the LCK and could force OTP, the main French broadcaster, to make a choice for the Korean league, leaving the Division 2 without their broadcast. OTP's broadcast represents more than 68% of Division 2's average viewership (5176) this Summer Split, according to Esports Charts. Without the broadcaster, the LFL Division 2 could be in danger

It is also possible that the LFL's second tier will change its name next year. According to our sources, a rebrand to unify it with the Nexus Tour (the third tier) while keeping its distinct semi-professional competitive system is one of the options being considered. These potential changes have already caused a reaction from some clubs, after being shared with the league's teams earlier this month.

Mixed Reactions

Founder of Joblife, Toma "Tomy" Abdellaoui shared his dissatisfaction with the proposed changes on his stream: "I'm waiting to see how things go, but I wouldn't do another year in Division 2. Especially considering what Division 2 will be like next year." Joblife now accounts for a sizeable share of the league's audience. The club is present in every part of the top 5 most watched games this Summer Split according to Esports Charts. Without them and OTP, the league could be in trouble.

However, Emile "Rares" Delamarche-Gilles, CEO of Ici Japon Corp. Esport is more positive on his organisation's stream: "The possible changes to Division 2 next year if we don't win the Up&Downs are rather accommodating for us." These comments were shared via clips sent to Sheep Esports, but unfortunately their format does not allow them to be re-shared.

"Division 2 will remain an important part of our ecosystem"

We asked Yoann "Saelind" Bouchard, Head of Tournaments at Webedia, a few questions for this article. Although he was unable to comment on our information about the LFL's plans for next year, he confirms that everything is still under discussion with Riot Games. However, he acknowledges the scheduling difficulties for the Division 2, while reaffirming its importance within the League of Legends scene.

"Division 2 will remain an important part of our ecosystem. However, we have to plan for changes, such as broadcast days. Just look at this year's schedule, which is dependent on LEC and LFL dates, leading to an unstable schedule for the Division 2, which is not good for either the competitive integrity of Division 2 or the audience." We also asked him if he envisaged a Division 2 without OTP: "This is neither our plan nor our will, however we will have to deal with OTP's availability."

Incubator of talent

Since its creation in 2019, the Division 2 has contributed to the emergence of numerous French players and structures. In particular, it was the first playground for Karmine Corp and Team du Sud before their arrival in the LFL. Many French LEC players have passed through the league, including Adam "Adam" Maanane, Théo "Sheo" Borile, Ilias "nuc" Bizriken and Ismaïl "Isma" Boualem.

Prodigy Caliste "Caliste" Henry-Hennebert first made a name for himself in 2023 in the Division 2 before joining Karmine Corp and LFL and, without a doubt, joining the EMEA elite next year. Even Sweden's Martin "Yike' Sundelin, jungler for G2 Esports, earned his stripes there. The most impressive aspect of Division 2 is undoubtedly the fact that it has managed to build up a loyal audience despite its second division status.

In any case, Saelind sees Division 2 as a success overall: "I think we can be pleased that we have the most developed Division 2 in Europe. We have a high standard of play, good audiences and good production. But we also have physical events with large crowds, which is far from the norm in Europe. Our aim is to continue to develop the Division 2, and it's with this in mind that we're looking to make changes to it in 2025, in order to correct what we see as major frictions and give it more oxygen to exist in a League of Legends competitive calendar that is exhaustive", he explains to Sheep Esports.