League of Legends Japan League (LJL), the domestic Japanese league for the MOBA League of Legends (hereinafter referred to as LoL), announced on official X (@Official_LJL) and the official LoL Esports website that the 2024 season will operate under a 6-team structure, down two teams from 2023.
5ゲーム目まで続く大接戦！DFM対SHG「LJL 2023 Summer Split Finals」会場レポート
LJL 2024 Shifts to 6-Team Structure
【お知らせ】
LJL 2024 シーズンの参加チームについてのお知らせLJL 2024 への出場チーム及び、新たな6チームによる競技運営について、詳しくは以下の記事をご覧ください：https://t.co/ynpVzs24dt#LJL2024 #リーグオブレジェンド pic.twitter.com/RDsTDjRNyS
— LoL Esports Japan (@lolesports_jp) December 6, 2023
The LJL released an announcement regarding participating teams for LJL 2024 on official X (@Official_LJL) and the official LoL Esports website.
The announcement primarily centers around two key developments:
- AXIZ and Crest Gaming Act merge to form AXIZ CREST
- FENNEL disbands its team and will not participate in LJL 2024
These two major changes came as shocking news to long-time fans who have supported the LJL.
AXIZ and Crest Gaming Act Merge into AXIZ CREST
【お知らせ】
eスポーツチーム『Human Academy CREST GAMING』を運営するヒューマンアカデミー㈱は、eスポーツチーム『AXIZ』を運営するアックスエンターテインメント㈱と、両チームのLeague of Legends部門が合流し、それを共同で運営していくことに合意しました。…
— CREST GAMING (@crest_gaming) December 6, 2023
【お知らせ】
AXIZとHuman Academy CREST GAMINGのLoL部門が合流LoL部門の新たなチーム名を『AXIZ CREST』として、League of Legends Japan League（LJL）への参加を継続します。https://t.co/hl9DUIGwTX pic.twitter.com/CN30njUFgt
— AXIZ WAVE (@AXIZ_gg) December 6, 2023
Pro esports team AXIZ, owned by Nippon TV, and pro esports team CREST GAMING, owned by Human Academy, announced that they will merge their respective LoL divisions for joint operation.
They will participate in LJL 2024 under the new team name, AXIZ CREST.
Both teams announced that AX Entertainment will manage the pro league team for AXIZ CREST, while Human Academy manages the academy team.
For details, please check the official AXIZ website or the official CREST GAMING website.
FENNEL Disbands LoL Division
【League of Legends部門解散のお知らせ】
FENNELファン、League of Legendsファンの皆様
平素よりFENNELを応援していただきありがとうございます。
2023年に「Rascal Jester」の意志を引き継ぎ、League of Legends部門を設立。LJLでの優勝、並びにその先にある世界大会「World… https://t.co/rQ9ZOmVIw7 pic.twitter.com/Hk1btTUIkx— FENNEL (@FENNEL_official) December 6, 2023
Pro esports team FENNEL entered LJL 2023 in September 2023 by acquiring the LoL division of pro esports team Rascal Jester.
Although they performed solidly—finishing 4th in the LJL 2023 Spring Regular Season and 3rd in the LJL 2023 Summer Regular Season—their journey comes to an end as they disband as of December 2023.
プロチームRascal Jester改めFENNELがLJLに参戦！新メンバーで優勝を目指す！
LJL 2024 Will Be a Completely Different Battleground
As a result of these changes, LJL 2024 will operate with the following six teams:
- AXIZ CREST
- Burning Core
- DetonatioN FocusMe
- Sengoku Gaming
- Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS gaming
- V3 Esports
In November 2023, Riot Games announced that the LJL would join the Pacific Championship Series ecosystem.
While this means losing Japan's dedicated direct slot at international tournaments, it increases competitive opportunities against the Asia-Pacific region, holding the potential for up to two Japanese teams to advance to international events if they achieve top results.
Coming right on the heels of such fresh developments, news of the team reduction drew voices of sadness from fans.
Fewer teams also mean fewer spots for pro players, putting a sharp spotlight on off-season roster moves and transfer news.
