Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok used a recent press conference to highlight gaming’s potential as a gender-inclusive space. The T1 mid laner and four-time League of Legends world champion pointed to the absence of physical barriers in competitive gaming.
“I believe that the biggest strength of gaming is that men and women can both play without any physical differences,” Faker said during the Q&A session. He added that he has observed “a huge growth in the number of female players around the world” and hopes they “can continue to grow and make an impact on the scene overall.”
The comments came during a longer press availability. No specific programs or initiatives were announced. Faker framed his remarks as a personal perspective on the state of gender inclusivity in gaming.
Faker’s status gives weight to the statement. The 29-year-old has won four world championships and two MSI titles since joining T1 in 2013. He became a part-owner of the organization in 2020 and remains widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time.
League of Legends has no gender restrictions at the professional level. Any player meeting age and eligibility requirements can compete in major leagues, including the LCK, LCS, LEC, and LPL. Despite these open rules, women remain underrepresented in tier-one competition.
Maria “Remilia” Creveling became one of the first women to compete in a major LoL league when she played for Renegades in the 2016 NA LCS. Gabriela “Mayumi” Scheid later made waves in Brazil’s CBLOL ecosystem. These remain rare examples in a scene dominated by male players.
The pipeline challenge exists despite gaming’s broad appeal. Recent market research suggests women make up 45–50% of the overall gaming audience. Converting that participation into top-tier competitive representation has proven difficult across multiple structural barriers including smaller high-level player pools and social factors that discourage progression.
Riot Games has taken different approaches across its titles. VALORANT‘s Game Changers circuit provides a structured pathway for women and marginalized genders with dedicated tournaments and prize pools. League of Legends has seen regional one-off events like EMEA’s Rising Stars but lacks a comparable global women’s circuit.
Where LoL stands now
The competitive League scene continues to operate under gender-neutral rules. Teams can sign any eligible player regardless of gender. Several organizations have explored mixed rosters in academy and regional leagues, though breakthrough signings to major leagues remain infrequent.
Women’s tournaments in other esports have expanded recently. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang has hosted dedicated women’s competitions. Counter-Strike has maintained a separate women’s circuit for years. These provide both competitive opportunities and talent development outside mixed competition.
