Sentinels announced they will enter the LCS as a permanent partner team starting with the 2026 season. The Los Angeles-based organization revealed the news through a video featuring League of Legends legend Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng.
The announcement immediately clarified that Doublelift only appeared to deliver the news. He will not play, coach, or co-stream for Sentinels’ League team.
This marks a return to competitive League of Legends for Sentinels. The organization’s ownership traces back to Phoenix1, which competed in the NA LCS from 2016 to 2017. Phoenix1 is remembered for upset victories and developing rookie talent like jungler MikeYeung. After missing the 2018 franchising window, the organization rebranded as Sentinels and shifted focus to other titles.
Sentinels built their current reputation through Valorant. They won VCT Masters Reykjavík in 2021 and maintain one of the largest fanbases in the scene. The organization operates rosters across multiple titles and runs a content-forward brand strategy.
The timing works in their favor. Sentinels already maintains esports facilities in LA for their Valorant operations. This existing infrastructure removes a major operational hurdle for their LCS entry.
Sentinels filled an open slot rather than acquiring one from an existing team. The terms of their partnership agreement with Riot Games were not disclosed. The LCS has been transitioning toward fixed-term partnerships similar to Valorant‘s model, where teams maintain partner status based on performance and commercial deliverables.
No roster or staff members have been announced yet. Competitive details and signing plans for 2026 remain under wraps.
The move brings a high-profile North American brand into the LCS at a time when the league seeks to stabilize viewership. Sentinels’ proven ability to generate content and fan engagement could provide a boost to league marketing efforts.
