In September 2025, the launch of the first Game Changers (LGC) Rising split took place in League of Legends esports. Riot Games will be launching a league for women and other marginalised genders with the aim of promoting gender diversity in the League ecosystem. G2 Hel has been a powerhouse in women’s League of Legends since 2022 and has qualified for the competition through their performance at the Equal eSports Cup.
Maya ‘Caltys’ Henckel, who plays for G2 Hel, shared her thoughts about women’s League of Legends esports along with her team’s success. She has been one of the longest-serving players alongside support Ève ‘Colomblbl’ Monvoisin. G2 Hel is a renowned powerhouse in the women’s scene. They already have a victory in the Equal eSports Cup to their name. Further, they won the Coupe des Étoiles last year as well.
Caltys herself has been competing since 2019, beginning her journey with European organisation Out of the Blue Team, and briefly competing with mixed-gender team Valiance in early 2022.
Making History in Spanish League Competition
Game Changers Rising may be a watershed moment in League of Legends esports for women, G2 Hel has already written history. On May 6, they successfully qualified for Liga Nexo, which is part of the second division of the European Regional League (ERL). G2 Hel made a solid showing in the Group Stage and felt confident going into the Playoffs, but ran into problems against Falke Esports.
Calyts said on her Liga Nexo experience: Never played in the Spanish circuit before so not sure the league’s standard but you should never prepare for a game thinking you are going to lose as it will affect how you perform. I always look at games knowing I can win, which is how I viewed the whole split.
All the matches they were playing felt winnable and no one was unbeatable.
The Ripple Effect of Representation in Esports
While Caltys is unsure if G2 Hel’s success will create broader inclusion in esports, their achievements may allow younger players to envision themselves in esports. Calties noted it is hard to say that one instance will change the larger picture since people dismiss one instance. I think that meaningful things are happening with younger people coming into the scene and that’s what matters.
When it comes to women’s tournaments and mixed-gender competitions, Caltys revealed that early in her career, she was just happy to play the game rather than consider the opponents.
As you keep competing and not everyone shares this viewpoint, you begin to see that’s why women’s tournaments are important to bring more women into esports, she said. Women’s tournaments will hopefully become a pathway to entering mixed environments, even though currently the transition is not common.
Calyts stated that first movers and pro teams transitioning to mixed circuits face pressure and attention from the broader esports environment. What they do in-game might be wrongfully perceived as the skill cap of every player of their demographic.
Looking Ahead to Game Changers Rising
G2 Hel is turning their focus to the first League of Legends Game Changers Rising split after finishing their Liga Nexo campaign. Eight teams will compete in the Group Stage and Playoffs of the tournament running from 13 September to 30 October.
Only G2 Hel and Solary Académie have confirmed their participation from the Equal eSports Cup. The remaining slots will be filled through invitations, an Open Qualifier, and the results of the Vector Equal eSports Cup.
Riot’s funding for a women’s League of Legends competition is akin to the VALORANT Game Changers, which has allowed for worldwide competition for women since 2021. The VALORANT Game Changers 2024 Championship had 464,695 peak viewers, making it the second most-watched women’s esports event to date.