Brace yourselves for the 2025 EMEA Winter Split of the League of Legends series which has already begun, introducing a refreshing round of exhilaration for the championship. The updates include refreshed lineups, a Noxian Summoner’s Rift map, and, for the first time in the region, a Fearless Draft, which has the fans looking forward to the event.
The Winter Split got underway on January 18, combining an interesting mix of up-and-coming stars with established players in a unique format. This is due to a tripartite competition format crafted to reward continuous performance and flexibility. Each team will compete in a best-of-one regular season leading to a double-elimination playoff designed to highlight the region’s best talents. With strategic depth reaching an unprecedented level and roster moves altering the meta, the 2025 Winter Split may signal the start of a fresh European dynasty or the rebirth of one from the past.
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| S | G2 Esports, FNATIC, Karmine Corp |
| A | Team Vitality, Movistar Koi, Team BDS, Team Heretics |
| B | Rogue, GIANTX, SK Gaming |
The apex predators
G2 Esports
In the LEC, G2 Esports has remained a powerhouse over the years, known for its revolutionary tactics and supremacy, and its 2025 Winter Split roster upholds this tradition.
The top lane continues to be led by BrokenBlade, whose versatility and ample champion repository provide the team stability across any meta. However, G2 waved goodbye to Yike and welcomed SkewMond in the jungle. SkewMond received praise for his smart course plotting and creative play in the ERLs and is among the newest additions to LEC in this split, taking up the mantle as one of the biggest attractions. Caps, arguably the league’s most decorated mid laner, remains one of the team’s pillars, having a history of delivering game-changing performances. In the bot lane, we have a new pair in Hans Sama and Labrov. Together, they form a formidable bot lane duo, with the potential to dominate through lane play and teamfight execution.
This year, the team is guided by head coach Dylan Falco who is joined by Memento. Given its history of success and a mix of proven and fresh talent, G2 is poised to vie for the Winter Split championship.
Fnatic
Fnatic’s 2024 season saw its share of highs and lows, culminating in a commendable performance in the Summer Playoffs. This year, Fnatic sets its sights on building on its past performance, hoping to secure its first title in seven years.
The top lane continues to be anchored by Oscarinin whose stellar performance under pressure and ability to adjust to a variety of match-ups make him a critical player in Fnatic’s lineup. With his proactive early game plays and his capacity to dictate match pace, Razork, who continues to operate in the jungle, plays a crucial role in creating opportunities for the team to turn games to their advantage. Paired with Humanoid’s razor-sharp decision-making in the mid lane, Fnatic’s mid-jungle duo is expected to be a force to reckon with.
But arguably the most exciting aspect of Fnatic in this split is its bot lane pair: Upset and Mikyx. Upset is regarded as one of Europe’s finest AD carriers when it comes to mechanics, and together with Mikyx’s focus on teamfighting, this duo is anticipated to be one of the most feared adversaries in the league. Under the guidance of coaches GrabbZ and Gaax, this team symbolizes Fnatic’s deliberate attempt to restore their position as a top contender.
Karmine Corp
In spite of not matching up to the high standards set by their regional dominance in their LEC debut season in 2024, Karmine Corp’s 2025 roster is designed to turn this narrative around.
Canna continues to hold up strong in the top lane, demonstrating formidable laning phases and using his split-pushing skills to potentially elevate KC’s standing. Yike, who was previously part of G2, now leads the jungle for KC, bringing his smart pathing, goal management and team-centred early game play. Vladi provides a consistent presence in the mid lane, complementing the team’s overarching strategy.
In the bot lane, Caliste finally gets his much-anticipated debut in the LEC. Having built up his reputation as a standout performer in the LFL, Caliste has for long been anticipated as one of the most promising ADCs in Europe. Collaborating with Targamas, a seasoned supporter known for facilitating aggressive bot laners, the duo holds the promise of making a significant impact.
Boasting of the highly-anticipated debut of Caliste and Yike’s jungle mastery, the team is equipped with the raw skill and strategic backing to make an immediate impact in their opening LEC Split of the season.
The in-betweeners
Team Vitality
The mid-tier teams always tend to be the most fascinating when it comes to any sports’ Power Rankings. This is because, theoretically, these teams have the capability to surprise the top dogs and challenge for extended playoff runs and even the trophies themselves. Conversely, despite their vast potential, they might also end up underperforming. This year, Team Vitality embodies this description perfectly.
Hylissang and Carzzy, the bot lane duo, have won several trophies, including repeated appearances at international events under their belt. This adds to the explosiveness of the younger generation—Czajek, Lyncas and Naak Nako—who can learn from and lean on the experienced pair if things don’t pan out as expected. All three have proven their worth in the LEC by raising their game in the EMEA Masters.
Vitality has great potential and could easily constitute the top competition this year. However, if problems arise, the season could end prematurely for the team.
Movistar KOI
Movistar KOI is carrying forward the momentum from 2024. The team has rebranded itself from MAD Lions KOI, but the primary players and objectives remain largely unchanged—apart from one. Their new mid laner superstar is jojopyun, the first North American player to step on to the LEC turf and a considerable upgrade from the team’s former player, Fresskowy.
Apart from this, the team has kept its original lineup intact. KOI is betting on long-term growth and their strategy is quite logical. Last year, MAD Lions KOI finished third in the season finale, which qualified them for Worlds. Although their international performance was not up to the mark, the experience they gained was invaluable, serving as a cornerstone for their success in 2025.
BDS
Looking at Team BDS on paper may not seem overly interesting, but they possess the right ingredients. As they step into 2025, the team maintains two of its best players from the previous season, nuc and Ice. The latter is joined by Parus, a 21-year-old multiple trophy holder. The rookie in this lineup is 113, who has already earned respect for his accomplishments. The roster is completed by Irrelevant, an LEC expert who would be a worthwhile addition to any mid-range LEC team.
BDS can’t be described as flashy. Although they have raw talent and experience, it doesn’t seem to be enough to disrupt the competition. But this is also what makes them one of the strongest dark horses. Liberated from the burden of expectations, BDS can find their own way and surprise everyone. But without an initial impression of their composure and skill, they cannot be ranked higher than sixth.
Team Heretics
Just like BDS, going into 2025, Heretics also presents an intriguing roster. The organization acquired Sheo from BDS, who is considered one of the better late-blooming junglers in the competition, and they are continuing their collaboration with Flakked, yet another experienced and stellar performer. The remaining three roles are filled by rising talent, posing the question: Quo vadis, Heretics?
It must be noted, however, that all the three new players in the Heretics’ lineup have the skills to arouse interest. Carlsen, Stend and Kamiloo appear talented but their full potential remains to be discovered.
The questions in everyone’s minds are: who will take the lead in this Heretics roster, how will they handle pressure, how will they develop a common language for competing in LEC, and whether the rookies will be able to surmount the hurdles that come with the territory of high-level play. As impatient as we may be for the answers, we might get answers in due course. Until then, we cannot assign them a higher rank without seeing proof of them succeeding on the Rift.
Climbing against the odds
Rogue
After a disappointing performance in 2024, changes to Rogue’s lineup were inevitable. Yet, while modifications have been made, it remains to be seen how well these new players will blend into the team.
Larssen has been the constant in Rogue, with the player signing up for another campaign. The mid-laner will reunite with Malrang, who returns to the team after an unsuccessful stint in Brazil. Rogue is hopeful that the Malrang-Larssen duo will be able to boost their ranking after finishing among the bottom two throughout 2024. The wildcard for this team is Adam, a controversial player, to say the least, who is capable of carrying his team to victory on his good days. The pitfall for “on his good day” players, however, is that they also come with their share of negative traits. This team appears to be a rushed assembly, and it remains to be seen whether Rogue can avoid a repeat of the 2024 pitfalls.
GIANTX
Of this lot, if there’s any team that could surprise everyone and ascend the rankings this season, it’s undoubtedly GIANTX. Retaining a mix of experienced talent and emerging stars might just get them a favorable balance.
GIANTX managed to bag Fnatic’s former bot lane duo Noah and Jun, who, albeit inconsistent, demonstrated that they could compete for titles. Closer is back with the team after half a year with Karmine Corp. There is a promising player in him somewhere, and this fresh team might just be able to play around him and reignite the prowess of the player who was once among North America’s finest junglers. GIANTX might well have gotten a strong start in the LEC, but the concern is whether they can bring it together when it counts.
SK Gaming
Following a rollercoaster ride in 2024, SK Gaming needed a complete overhaul and carried it out. Unfortunately for fans, this overhaul excluded Irrelevant, one of the more notable top laners in the LEC, who moved to BDS. With Irrelevant off to BDS, Reeker moved in the opposite direction, marking his return to the LEC after his time with MAD Lions
A true gamer that has been crazy about games and gaming for over 10 years. My main interests are PS5, VR and AR Games as well as general gaming.
