Riot Games announced this Thursday, December 4, 2025, that Isurus Gaming will not participate in CBLOL 2026, despite having guaranteed a place in the promotion tournament held in September. The Argentine organization, present in the League of Legends scenario since 2012, opted to leave due to internal business considerations. The decision takes place in São Paulo, where the league is based, and impacts the planning of the season that starts in January 2026.
Isurus competed in 2025 as a guest team in LTA Sul and achieved the best performance in the first split. The team competed for relegation to maintain their spot in the elite, which they achieved with convincing victories. Agora, the publisher is looking for a replacement in the South American Tier 2 to fill the position.
The CBLOL 2026 structure maintains eight teams, including fixed partners such as LOUD, FURIA and paiN Gaming, as well as a guest spot. Essa change comes after the end of Liga of Américas, which merged regions in 2025. Riot emphasizes renewal in the competitive ecosystem.
Performance of Isurus in LTA Sul 2025
Isurus started the year with dominance in the first split of the LTA Sul, finishing in first place and demonstrating superiority in regional clashes. The squad, reinforced by players like Josedeodo in the jungle, executed effective strategies that guaranteed leadership in the regular phase.
In the second split, the team maintained consistency and reached third place, with highlights in innovative picks that surpassed win rates above 52% in ranked. Essa phase consolidated the position for the promotion tournament.
The third split brought challenges, resulting in 7th/8th place, but the preparation for relegation was intense. Vitórias 3-0 against Alpha7 and other rivals confirmed the place, which is now voluntarily returned.
Reasons for the organization’s decision
Facundo Calabró, CEO of Isurus, highlighted that the current conditions of the regional format do not align with the organization’s commitment model. The return to the independent CBLOL, after the LTA experiment, influenced the internal sustainability assessment.
Isurus values the impact of the Brazilian championship on the growth of esports in América of Sul, with more than 18 million hours watched in 2024. However, strategic adjustments prioritize investments in other areas of the team’s portfolio.
Internal discussions took place throughout the year, in parallel with the transfer window, where players such as Zamudo and Ackerman were released for proposals. Essa movement reflects a broad restructuring.
Impact on the CBLOL 2026 calendar
The tournament starts with the Copa CBLOL in January, qualifying for the First Stand in the Brasil, and continues with three splits until March. Sem to Isurus, to Riot accelerate negotiations for the new guest, aiming for stability on the grid.
Teams like Fluxo W7M and RED Canids prepare bootcamps, including trips to Coreia of Sul to align goals. The format maintains the Fearless Draft, adopted in 2025, to vary compositions and raise the technical level.
- International vacancies: Cada split defines representatives for MSI and Worlds, with a focus on regional champions.
- Expected audience: Pico of 459 thousand spectators in 2024 serves as a reference for growth targets.
- Renewal: The guest spot promotes the rise of Circuito Desafiante or LRS teams.
The absence of Isurus opens space for an organization of Tier 2, potentially increasing internal competitiveness. Riot monitors applications for announcements soon, ensuring the league’s balance.
Players and transfer window
Brandon Villegas, known as Josedeodo, left Isurus in November 2025 and is negotiating with Team Liquid for LCS 2026.
Ackerman, support from the Brazilian project, is available for proposals in any region, as posted on social networks. Sua trajectory includes key contributions on defense during LTA splits.
Other members of the squad, such as South Korean mid laner Keine, stood out in the relegation with decisive plays. The release of contracts allows for quick relocation, aligned with the off-season calendar.
The 2026 transfer window is advancing with rumors of international reinforcements, such as South Koreans at LOUD. Essas moves fill gaps and prepare squads for the new format.
Community reactions and next steps
Fans expressed surprise at the news, highlighting Isurus’s legacy in South American LoL since 2012. Postagens on social media emphasize the organization’s value for regional diversity.
Riot starts conversations with potential replacements, prioritizing teams with a structure for Tier 1. Alpha7 emerges as a candidate, after negotiations to sell a place at Desafiante.
The Tier 2 ecosystem gains visibility, with events such as Torneio and Promoção serving as a showcase. Essa transition reinforces the commitment to the sustainable growth of esports at Brasil.
Future regional league structure
CBLOL 2026 eliminates the LTA’s Cross Conference, focusing on local clashes to define international places. Essa returns to the traditional format, preserving Brazilian identity, with broadcasts on Riot Games Arena and São Paulo.
LLA teams, such as Leviatán, maintain their presence, ensuring balance between Brasil and LATAM Sul. The publisher adjusts the rules, gradually removing the requirement for “player Américas”.
Innovations such as the buff on Homeguard accelerate the pace of matches, benefiting split-push strategies. Testes on the PBE indicate reductions of up to 10 seconds in lane returns, intensifying the meta.
- Changes to Jogo Dinâmico: Partidas shorter, with sudden death at 25 minutes and removal of objectives like Atakhan.
- Focus on mechanics: improved Botas for mid laners and dynamic teleportation for tops.
- Preparation: Bootcamps internationals prepare casts for First Stand in February.
This evolution positions CBLOL as a reference in innovation, attracting new talent and maintaining engagement with the fan base.
The season promises fierce confrontations, with the new guest quickly integrating. Riot releases weekly updates on transfers and qualifiers, setting the stage for the league’s return in January 2026. The League of Legends scene in Brasil continues to expand, with a focus on accessibility and professionalism for players and fans.
