League of Legends: French eSport enters a new stadium-sized era

12,000 people, proudly decked out in team jerseys, scarves in club colours and even the odd giant mascot head of the athletes, came to cheer on their team. But it’s not football or basketball stars they’re cheering on in Paris’ Bercy Arena, it’s for the eSport, League of Legends.

In a packed hall, the Red Bull League of Its Own event assembled seven of the world’s best League of Legends teams, including Karmine Corp, G2, NNO and Gentle Mates – not forgetting the icing on the cake, the legendary South Korean team and five-time reigning world champions T1.

“It’s not every day you get to see this in France. The best players in the world are coming, it’s incredible, I immediately took my place,” enthused Maxence, 23.

A mix of entertainment and competition. For the players, it’s the perfect opportunity to rub shoulders with the best before the season kicks off in mid-January in the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC).

Many fans have come out just for the player often considered the best: Faker. “I’m so happy to see him, he’s a myth. It’s like watching Cristiano Ronaldo for a football fan, it’s just spectacular,” Mathis says.

Faker, whose real name Lee Sang-Hyeok, is the T1 captain and has ruled the game since his first world championship 11 years ago. His entrance sent the thousands of spectators in the stands into rapture.

The eSports GOAT told Euronews Culture that he was looking forward to the atmosphere ahead of the event : “I’m delighted to see the French fans again. They’re passionate, very active and a lot of fun!” He continued: “I’m proud of my career but I want to keep going, train even harder and win again.”

The French Touch

In France, there are almost 40 million casual gamers and 12 million amateur eSports players. French eSport was worth €116 million in 2022 and investment in the sector is growing exponentially. Nearly 200 professional players are putting France on the international map.

For the past few years, French streamers have organised major events for the sport. “Influencers like Gotaga and Kameto have taken their entire community with them into eSports. It’s become accessible to the general public,” explains Arnaud, one of the spectators.

France’s top League of Legends player, Steven ‘Hans Sama’ Liv has seen the competition thicken in recent years: “Before, there really weren’t that many of us. But recently, a lot of players are becoming more professional. eSport has become very big in France,” the reigning European champion with G2 explains.

At the age of 25, the Parisian expatriate now lives in Berlin, where his team’s HQ is based, and is now aiming for the world summit. “That’s my number one priority. I train 12 hours a day, it’s never been so extreme,” Hans Sama says. Before he can achieve his dream, he will have to overcome his main rival on the European scene: Karmine Corp.

Karmine Corp dominates

It was one of the most eagerly-awaited fixtures of the evening, and it did not disappoint. In the centre ring, Karmine Corp and G2 stood back-to-back for a match that was supposed to give a taste of LEC 2025.

In the stands, the ultra fans are in full swing. G2’s “Samurai” shout out their war cry as Karmine Corp fans return the favour. “If you don’t jump, you’re not Karmine” the members of the KCorp collective shout.

Karmine Corp are France’s leading eSports team, founded in 2020 by streamer Kameto. “Karmine is the best team because it brings us together around unifying values. We’re united in victory and defeat alike,” says KCorp fan Max with pride.

The 24-year-old from Bordeaux has been following his team’s travels for the past two years. Like many others this year, he is particularly confident about his team’s future performance.

Heralded as the new crack ready to shake up the European game, ‘Caliste’ Henry-Hennebert has strengthened the KCorp and should be the main attraction of the new season, promoted to the LEC aged just 18. A prediction matched by the applause when he arrived on stage. “There’s enormous anticipation about him. He’s the new French prodigy,” says Louise.

Between the Marseillaise and drum rolls, the giant screens replay his best moves in the match against G2, won by KCorp.

The evening ended with a crazy final match between KCorp and T1, won by the South Korean team. In good spirits, the various teams got together to congratulate each other, before giving autographs and taking selfies with a few lucky spectators.

The end of the Paris Games left sports fans around the world feeling nostalgic. The good news is that this time it won’t be long before the excitement returns.

The LEC 2025 kicks off on 18 January.