In what feels like a seismic shift for North American League of Legends fans, 100 Thieves is stepping away from the competitive scene after the 2025 LTA season. While the writing was already on the wall when they sold their LCS franchise slot back to Riot Games in 2024, the official announcement still landed like a gut punch to long-time supporters. One of the region’s most beloved and recognizable organizations is walking away, closing a chapter that has been nothing short of legendary.
Founded by former Call of Duty pro Matthew Nadeshot Haag, 100 Thieves entered League of Legends in 2017 and made its competitive debut in the 2018 Spring Split. Nobody expected them to immediately shake up the scene, but that is exactly what they did. Their inaugural roster, featuring names like Ssumday, Ryu, Meteos, Cody Sun, and Aphromoo, stunned everyone by reaching the finals in their first split. They entered the playoffs as the top seed and made it all the way to the grand final before falling to Team Liquid. Even though they did not lift the trophy, they had already captured the imagination of fans across the region.
The momentum carried them to the international stage with a Worlds 2018 appearance, but it was there that the difference in global competition became painfully clear. Their exit was early and sobering. The years that followed were difficult. Both 2019 and 2020 were marred by inconsistency, missed playoffs, and frustrating finishes. Even with talent injections like Closer and FBI, the results were not coming together.
Everything changed in 2021. With a rebuilt roster that blended star power with fresh energy, 100 Thieves roared back and finally claimed their first-ever LCS championship. The win was not just revenge on Team Liquid but a moment of validation after years of near misses and underwhelming finishes. That Summer Split run turned doubters into believers again and sent them back to Worlds. Although the international dreams remained unfulfilled, the regional dominance had been reestablished.
Their journey would take them to Worlds four times in total. Not every run was perfect. Even the much-hyped 2023 superteam with Bjergsen and Doublelift failed to meet expectations. Yet 100 Thieves remained a consistent force in the North American landscape, always pushing, always staying relevant. They were more than just a team. They were a brand, a movement, and for many fans, the gateway into League of Legends.
Then came the transition to Riot’s LTA model. With the permanent slot returned and 100 Thieves now functioning as a Provisional Guest Team, the future felt uncertain. In 2025, they still managed to perform at a high level. They won the LTA North Split 1 stage and made it to the finals of the LTA Cross-Conference. But even a strong season could not rewrite Riot’s long-term plans. A new partner will take over the slot in 2026, and 100 Thieves will officially bow out, leaving behind a legacy that few teams in the region can match.
The current roster will become free agents, and fans will have to say goodbye to a jersey that once stood for swagger, hype, and heart. What 100 Thieves brought to the game was more than wins or placements. They brought personality, style, and a sense of identity that pulled in fans from every corner of esports. Their exit marks the end of something rare, something that may never quite be replicated in the same way again.
Whether it was their explosive debut, their iconic 2021 championship, or their unmatched content game that brought new energy to esports storytelling, 100 Thieves’ League of Legends chapter will be remembered not just for the trophies, but for how they made people feel. This is not just a team leaving. This is an era closing its doors.
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