Chinese esports powerhouse Invictus Gaming (IG) has bold new plans for the 2026 League of Legends LPL season, unveiling an overhauled roster that promises exciting gameplay changes. With a mix of fresh talent and seasoned veterans, IG aims to make a significant impact in the upcoming competitions.
Revamped Line-up for 2026
In a series of announcements on their Weibo account, Invictus Gaming introduced four new players and an addition to their coaching staff. The team welcomes Korean top laner Lim ‘Soboro’ Seong-min, mid laner Zhang ‘Renard’ Xing-Che, ADC Ying ‘Photic’ Qi-Shen, and Sun ‘Jwei’ Jun-Wei. Additionally, IG has promoted Won ‘Mafa’ Sang-yeon to head coach and brought back coach Lee ‘KaKAO’ Byung-kwon, marking a return after a decade since his last appearance on the team.
Adjustments Following Key Departures
The absence of star player Kang ‘TheShy’ Seung-lok, who announced a break from competitive play, led IG to sign Soboro from BNK FearX’s academy. ADC Chen ‘GALA’ Wei’s move to JD Gaming has opened the door for Photic, previously with LNG Esports, to join the team. Jwei, following a successful year with FunPlus Phoenix, and Renard, rising from Anyone’s Legend academy, add depth to IG’s ranks.
The Strategy Behind a Seven-man Roster
Despite these changes, Invictus Gaming has opted to retain several core members, according to the Global Contract Database (GCD). The organization recently extended contracts for mid laner Song ‘Rookie’ Eun-jin, jungler Yan ‘Wei’ Yang-Wei, and support Tian ‘Meiko’ Ye, creating a seven-man roster. Although the team may not initially appear highly competitive, strategic rotations could provide valuable experience for emerging players as they prepare for the Demacia Cup on December 15th. The start date for the 2026 LPL Split 1 is yet to be announced.