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LNG Esports
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LNG Esports is a Chinese professional esports organization based in Suzhou. It was known as Snake Esports from its creation in 2013 until its acquisition by sportswear company Li-Ning in 2019.
Key Information
LNG's main League of Legends team competes in the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), the top-level league for the game in China. LNG plays its home games at the Yangcheng International Esports Center in Suzhou.
History
[edit]Snake Esports announced on 21 May 2019 that they had been acquired by athletic apparel company Li-Ning and that they were rebranding as LNG Esports.[1][2][3] Top laner Li "Flandre" Xuanjun, jungler Lê "SofM" Quang Duy, mid laner Huang "Fenfen" Chen, bot laner Lu "Asura" Qi and support Hu "Maestro" Jianxin remained on the team following the acquisition. To complete LNG's inaugural roster, mid laner Bae "Plex" Ho-young and support Duan "Duan" De-Liang were acquired from Griffin and Vici Gaming respectively.[4][5]
LNG placed seventh in the 2019 LPL Summer regular season, qualifying for the first round of playoffs.[6] After sweeping Invictus Gaming in the first round, LNG lost to Royal Never Give Up in the quarterfinals.[citation needed]
In late 2019, LNG announced several roster changes, dropping SofM, Plex, Fenfen, and Maestro, and signing jungler Xiong "Xx" Yulong, rookie support Liao "lwandy" Dingyang, and Taiwanese veteran mid laner Huang "Maple" Yi-tang.[7] Bot laner Wang "Light" Guangyu was also promoted from LNG's academy team. This revamped roster's first tournament was the 2019 Demacia Cup, in which they placed third in their group and failed to qualify for the knockout stage (i.e. playoffs).[citation needed] Aside from promoting top laner Zhou "chenlun17" Pengyuan, LNG did not make any other changes to their starting roster during the 2020 season. LNG placed 16th in the spring split and 13th in the summer split, both times ending with a 5–11 record.[citation needed]
LNG announced on 17 December 2020 that they had made several major changes to their roster. Top laner Chang "M1kuya" Xiao, mid laner Xie "icon" Tianyu, and most notably Korean star jungler Lee "Tarzan" Seung-yong had been acquired from SDX Gaming, OMG, and Griffin respectively.[8] Despite these roster changes, in the 2020 Demacia Cup LNG once again finished third in their group and failed to qualify for the knockout stage. Hu "Ale" Jiale was subsequently acquired from TT Gaming and signed as a substitute top laner for the 2021 season.[9]
LNG placed tenth in the 2021 LPL Spring regular season and qualified for the first round of playoffs, where they were swept by Suning.[10] LNG had a stronger showing in the summer split, placing eight in the regular season and taking upset victories over several higher-placed teams. However, LNG's summer playoff run was ended in the fourth round (i.e. quarterfinals) by Edward Gaming, which would go on to win that split's title. LNG's overall placements in the spring and summer splits earned them a spot in the 2021 LPL Regional Finals, where they defeated Rare Atom and Team WE to qualify for the 2021 World Championship.[11]
Roster
[edit]| LNG Esports League of Legends roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Luo "Crescent" Cheng
Zeng "U" Long | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Legend:
|
Roster updated 23 July 2024. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ Cai, Xingxiu (21 May 2019). "《英雄聯盟》確定易主!Snake戰隊更名為LNG". Yahoo Esports Taiwan (in Chinese). Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ Chen, Hongyu (22 May 2019). "Chinese Organization Snake Esports Appears to Rebrand to 'LNG Esports'". The Esports Observer. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ Zhang, Chenglu (24 May 2019). "Chinese organisation Snake Esports rebrands as LNG Esports". Esports Insider. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ "Những hình ảnh cực chất trong buổi ra mắt của LNG Esports, 'mái nhà' hứa hẹn đưa SofM lên tầm cao mới". Kenh14 (in Vietnamese). 24 May 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2019.
- ^ Helino, Theo (24 May 2019). "LMHT: Vừa đổi chủ, team SofM chiêu mộ ngay tân binh hàng tuyển của Griffin". GameK (in Vietnamese).
- ^ Zijdenbos, Arend (19 August 2019). "2019 LPL Summer playoffs schedule announced". Daily Esports. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ Newell, Adam (15 December 2019). "LNG signs Maple and Xx ahead of 2020 LPL season". Dot Esports. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
- ^ "LNG Esports on Weibo". Weibo. LNG Esports. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ "LNG Esports on Weibo". Weibo. LNG Esports. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ Lupasco, Cristian (1 April 2021). "Here are the results for the 2021 LPL Spring Split playoffs". Dot Esports. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ Kelly, Michael (5 September 2021). "Last 2 teams qualify for Worlds 2021, set the field for the competition". Dot Esports. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
External links
[edit]- LNG Esports on Weibo (in Chinese)
LNG Esports
View on GrokipediaOrganization
Background and Founding
LNG Esports traces its origins to Snake Esports, which was established on September 11, 2013, as a professional esports organization in China.[8] Initially based in Shanghai, the formation marked the entry of a new entity into the burgeoning competitive gaming landscape, specifically targeting the popular multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends.[9] From its inception, Snake Esports operated with a singular emphasis on building a competitive presence in this title, reflecting the rapid growth of organized esports in China during the early 2010s.[8] The organization's early structure was streamlined and focused, consisting initially of a single dedicated League of Legends team without diversification into other games or disciplines.[8] This approach allowed for concentrated resources on talent development and competitive preparation within the domestic scene. Snake Esports relocated to Chongqing in 2018 as part of the LPL's geolocation requirements, before moving to Suzhou under the LNG branding in 2020.[10] The team prioritized the recruitment of local talent, assembling an original roster of Chinese players to foster a strong foundation in the regional ecosystem. Snake began competing in the League of Legends Secondary Pro League (LSPL) and was promoted to the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), China's premier competition, in 2015, underscoring the organization's ambition to compete at the highest levels.Ownership and Facilities
LNG Esports was acquired by Viva China Sports, a subsidiary of the Chinese athletic apparel company Li-Ning Group, in May 2019, when it purchased an 80% stake in the organization previously known as Snake Esports for approximately RMB 89 million (US$13 million).[4][11] The acquisition led to the rebranding as LNG Esports, with the acronym standing for Li-Ning Gaming, aligning the team with Li-Ning's strategy to expand into the esports sector and target younger consumers through branded apparel and sponsorships.[4][2] The organization is owned by Li Qilin, nephew of Li-Ning founder and Olympic gymnast Li Ning, who serves as CEO of Viva China Sports and oversees the integration of LNG with Li-Ning's ecosystem.[4] This structure facilitates seamless sponsorships, including Li-Ning's provision of team apparel and its role as the official sponsor of China's League of Legends Pro League (LPL) starting in 2023, enhancing LNG's visibility and resource access.[12] Additional partnerships, such as the 2022 partnership with automaker Lynk & Co and the 2023 title sponsorship deal with electric scooter brand Ninebot, further bolster the team's branding under Li-Ning's umbrella.[2][13] LNG Esports operates from a training base in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, where its main facilities are housed at the Yangcheng International Esports Center, relocated there in January 2020.[2] The center features a 2,000-seat arena for matches and events, alongside dedicated gaming setups, player dormitories, and analytics rooms to support daily training and performance analysis.[14] Post-2020 expansions have focused on transforming the venue into a comprehensive esports hub, incorporating immersive cultural spaces and offline activities to foster community engagement and team development.[2] Financially, Li-Ning's backing has enabled sustained investments in LNG, including roster acquisitions and operational budgets, with the parent company's heavy commitment to esports since 2019 providing stability amid competitive demands.[12] These resources have supported high-profile player signings and infrastructure upgrades as of 2025, positioning LNG as a top-tier LPL contender while leveraging Li-Ning's broader sponsorship portfolio for revenue diversification.[2]History
Formation as Snake Esports (2013–2018)
Snake Esports was founded on September 11, 2013, initially operating with a single team focused on competitive League of Legends in China.[8] Emerging from the amateur scene, the organization quickly expanded by forming secondary squads, Snake.Q and Snake.S, which competed in lower-tier leagues like the LSPL to build experience and talent.[8] This amateur foundation emphasized scouting and developing domestic players, laying the groundwork for a roster centered on homegrown talent without early reliance on international imports.[8] In April 2014, Snake.Q and Snake.S merged into a unified primary team, marking a pivotal step toward professionalization. The new lineup featured promising domestic players such as top laner Flandre (Li Xuanjun), jungler Reborn (Luo Zhijian), mid laner Copy (now known as BAKA, Wang Yiming), ADC kRYST4L (Yang Fan), and support CoLiN (Lin Heng).[8] This roster achieved notable success in the secondary league, securing 2nd place in the 2014 LSPL Summer Season with strong performances that highlighted their aggressive playstyle and team coordination.[8] The merger also attracted the organization's first major sponsorships from China Rare Earth Holdings and Zhejiang Entive Electric, providing financial stability and signaling a shift from amateur operations to a more structured professional entity.[8] The team's breakthrough came through qualification for the top-tier League of Legends Pro League (LPL) via their 2nd-place finish in the 2014 LSPL Summer, earning a spot in the 2015 LPL Spring Split as a new entrant.[8] In their debut LPL season, Snake impressed by finishing 2nd in the regular season with a record of 10 wins, 10 draws, and 2 losses, advancing to playoffs where they defeated Team King 3-2 before falling 0-3 to LGD Gaming in the semifinals and 1-3 to Invictus Gaming in the third-place match.[8] The 2015 Summer Split saw them place 4th (7 wins, 10 draws, 5 losses), but they exited playoffs early with a 1-3 loss to LGD, failing to qualify for the 2015 World Championship at the China Regional Finals.[8] These results established Snake as a competitive underdog, surviving early challenges through resilient domestic lineups and strategic adaptations. Building on this momentum, Snake maintained consistency in the 2016 seasons, finishing 3rd in the Spring Split regular season (10 wins, 6 losses) and reaching the playoffs' 5th-6th place, followed by a 2nd-place group finish in Summer that also ended in 5th-6th overall.[8] Roster adjustments, including the acquisition of jungler Tank (now known as Maize) and promoting Zzr to starter, bolstered their mid-lane and jungle presence, while off-season tournaments like the Demacia Cup (3rd-4th) and NEST 2016 (3rd) reinforced their growing reputation.[8] It was during this period that Snake signed their first international player, Vietnamese jungler SofM (Lê Quang Duy), in May 2016, diversifying the roster beyond purely domestic talents.[8] The 2017 Spring Split tested Snake's survival in the LPL, as they finished 5th in the regular season and faced relegation pressure, ultimately securing their spot by winning the Promotion Tournament 3-0 against Vici Gaming.[8] This relegation battle underscored the team's early struggles against established rivals amid the league's intensifying competition. In the Summer Split, Snake achieved their strongest group stage showing yet, placing 4th and advancing to playoffs, though they were eliminated 0-3 by Newbee—marking a significant step forward in playoff experience despite the loss.[8] Throughout these years, the organization's growth from amateur merger to consistent LPL contender was driven by focused domestic recruitment and incremental professional investments, setting the stage for future expansions.Rebranding to LNG (2019–2020)
On May 21, 2019, Snake Esports announced its acquisition by Chinese athletic apparel company Li-Ning, resulting in an immediate rebranding to LNG Esports, where "LNG" stands for Li-Ning Gaming.[15] This transition marked the end of the Snake era and integrated Li-Ning's branding elements, including a new team logo and apparel sponsorship, as part of Viva China Sports' strategy to expand into esports.[4] The rebrand occurred mid-season, allowing LNG to retain most of Snake's roster while debuting the new identity in the ongoing League of Legends Pro League (LPL).[16] In the 2019 LPL Summer Split, LNG finished 7th in the group stage with an 8-7 record, securing a playoff spot.[17] They advanced by upsetting Invictus Gaming 3-0 in the first round but were eliminated in the quarterfinals with a 1-3 loss to Royal Never Give Up.[18] This performance highlighted initial stability under the new branding, though it fell short of deeper tournament success amid the league's competitive landscape. The 2020 season brought significant challenges for LNG, exacerbated by major roster adjustments and the COVID-19 pandemic. Mid-season tweaks included promoting players like Light and Iwandy to the starting lineup, but these changes failed to yield results, leading to a 16th-place finish in the LPL Spring Split (5-11 record) and 13th in the Summer Split (also 5-11).[19][20] The pandemic disrupted training, as the LPL suspended play after the first week of Spring and relocated all matches to a biosecure bubble in Shanghai, limiting in-person practice and team cohesion for organizations like LNG.[21] Post-rebrand, LNG shifted strategically toward youth development by formalizing its academy team, LNG Academy, in June 2019, which competed in the LDL (Development League) and served as a pipeline for emerging talent.[22] This initiative aligned with Li-Ning's long-term investment in esports infrastructure, emphasizing talent cultivation amid the first team's transitional struggles.[2]Expansion and Challenges (2021–2025)
In 2021, LNG Esports demonstrated signs of recovery following their rebranding, finishing 10th in the LPL Spring Split regular season and advancing to the first round of playoffs, where they were eliminated by Suning. The team improved in the Summer Split, securing 8th place in the regular season and reaching the second round of playoffs before losing to Top Esports. This performance qualified them for the LPL Regional Finals, where they defeated Team WE 3-1 to earn their first-ever berth at the 2021 World Championship. At Worlds, LNG advanced from the play-in stage but finished last in Group D of the main event with a 1-5 record. The 2022 and 2023 seasons were marked by frequent roster adjustments amid mid-table LPL results and sporadic playoff appearances. In December 2022, top laner Tang "Zika" Huayu joined from Invictus Gaming as part of an offseason overhaul that also brought in academy bot laner LP and support Fu "Hang" Minghang from FunPlus Phoenix. These changes contributed to a 4th-place finish in the 2022 Summer Split regular season, advancing to the second round of playoffs before losing to Weibo Gaming. In May 2023, veteran AD carry Chen "GALA" Wei transferred from Royal Never Give Up to bolster the bot lane ahead of the Summer Split, helping LNG achieve 3rd place in the regular season and reach the grand finals, though they lost 3-2 to JD Gaming. LNG experienced a breakthrough in 2024 with stronger domestic performances, including a 4th-place finish in the LPL Summer Split regular season. They topped the Regional Finals by defeating Weibo Gaming 3-0, securing direct qualification to the 2024 World Championship. At Worlds, LNG went undefeated in the Swiss Stage (3-0) before reaching the quarterfinals, where they fell 1-3 to Weibo Gaming, ultimately placing 5th-8th and earning $101,250 from the prize pool.[23] In 2025, LNG finished 13th in LPL Split 1, 13th in Split 2, and 14th in Split 3, facing significant challenges with cohesion and consistency. Amid a six-month winless streak dating back to the 2024 Worlds Swiss Stage, LNG secured their first series victory since October 2024 by defeating Ultra Prime 2-0 on April 20 in Split 2. Broader challenges persisted through persistent roster flux, including the December 2024 departures of mid laner Lee "Scout" Ye-chan, GALA, and Hang, who became free agents after contract terminations; earlier in April 2025, jungler Fang "Xiaofang" Zheyu and LP had joined to address lineup gaps. Roster adjustments continued into August 2025, with fishone joining as ADC and OvO as support.[16]Competitive Performance
Domestic Achievements in LPL
LNG Esports, previously competing as Snake Esports, debuted in the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) during the 2015 season and has since established itself as a consistent mid-to-upper tier contender in China's premier League of Legends league.[8] The organization's domestic record reflects periods of strong contention for titles alongside challenges in maintaining consistency, with multiple top-3 regular season finishes highlighting their competitive peaks.[7][24] The team's LPL split performances are summarized in the following table, including regular season placements and series records where applicable (records reflect best-of-three series outcomes unless otherwise noted):| Year | Split | Placement | Series Record (Regular Season) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 (Snake) | Spring | 2nd | 10-10-2 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2015 (Snake) | Summer | 4th | 7-10-5 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2016 (Snake) | Spring | 3rd | 10-6 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2016 (Snake) | Summer | 2nd | 10-6 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2017 (Snake) | Spring | 5th | 7-9 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2017 (Snake) | Summer | 4th | 5-11 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2018 (Snake) | Spring | 2nd | 12-7 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2018 (Snake) | Summer | 5th | 7-12 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2019 (LNG) | Summer | 7th | 8-7 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2020 | Spring | 16th | 5-11 | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2020 | Summer | 13th | 5-11 | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2021 | Spring | 10th | 8-8 | Did not qualify for playoffs |
| 2021 | Summer | 8th | 10-6 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2022 | Spring | 4th | 11-5 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2022 | Summer | 7th | 8-8 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2023 | Spring | 3rd | 13-3 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2023 | Summer | 3rd | 12-4 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2024 | Spring | 6th | 9-7 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2024 | Summer | 2nd | 7-1 | Advanced to playoffs |
| 2025 | Split 1 | 4th (Group C) | 0-3 | Eliminated in group stage |
| 2025 | Split 2 | 3rd (Rumble Nirvana) | 3-2 | Group Stage: 0-6; did not advance to Knockout Stage |
| 2025 | Split 3 | 6th (Group Nirvana) | 2-8 | Did not advance to playoffs |
International Tournament Results
LNG Esports has competed in the League of Legends World Championship on three occasions, marking their primary international appearances outside of China's LPL. Their debut came in 2021 after securing qualification through victory in the LPL Regional Finals, where they advanced to the main event but exited in the group stage with a 12th-13th place finish and $52,843.75 in earnings.[30][31] In 2023, LNG earned direct entry as the LPL's third seed based on cumulative championship points from the season, progressing to the knockout stage before a 0-3 defeat to T1 resulted in a 5th-8th place placement and $100,125 prize.[32][33][31] The team returned for Worlds 2024 following a dominant 3-0 win over Weibo Gaming in the LPL Regional Finals, which granted them a Worlds spot; however, they were again eliminated 1-3 by Weibo Gaming in the quarterfinals, securing another 5th-8th finish and $101,250 in prize money.[34][35][31] LNG Esports has yet to qualify for the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), the other major annual international event, despite near-misses in LPL playoff runs that fell short of the required seeding in seasons up to 2025.[7] Their international efforts have yielded total earnings of $254,218.75 across these three World Championship tournaments.[31]| Tournament | Date | Placement | Earnings (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 World Championship | November 2021 | 12th-13th | $52,843.75 |
| 2023 World Championship | November 2023 | 5th-8th | $100,125.00 |
| 2024 World Championship | October-November 2024 | 5th-8th | $101,250.00 |
Team and Staff
Current Roster
As of November 2025, LNG Esports' active roster for the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) consists of a primarily Chinese lineup, blending experienced players with recent additions to strengthen their competitive edge.[16] The starting lineup and substitutes are as follows:| Position | Player ID | Real Name | Nationality | Join Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top | Zika | Tang Huayu | Chinese | December 15, 2022 |
| Top (Sub) | Alley | Zhou Yu | Chinese | May 25, 2024 |
| Jungle | 5t5 | Zeng Jun | Chinese | April 6, 2025 |
| Jungle (Sub) | Xiaofang | Fang Zheyu | Chinese | April 19, 2025 |
| Mid | Haichao | Zhang Haichao | Chinese | December 12, 2024 |
| Bot | LP | Li Fei | Chinese | April 6, 2025 |
| Bot (Sub) | Fishone | Yu Yi | Chinese | August 1, 2025 |
| Support | OvO | Zhang Jiahao | Chinese | August 6, 2025 |
| Support (Sub) | Xin | Li Yudong | Chinese | December 15, 2022 |
