September marks a turning point on League of Legends with the launch of the Game Changers 2025 Rising split, the first official League of Legends event dedicated to women and marginalised genders. Riot is working to enable gender inclusivity and create new opportunities as part of this esports initiative.
G2 Hel, a top-ranked women’s League of Legends team since 2022, earned the right to play in the first LGC split after winning a slot through the Equal eSports Cup. As NFL fans await the return of the league, anticipation is shaping up in the community.
G2 Hel’s Legacy and the Rise of Caltys
G2 Hel is home to Maya ‘Caltys’ Henckel and Ève ‘Colomblbl’ Monvoisin and more. The team has finished near the top at major events and last year’s Coupe des Étoiles champion. Caty started her competitive journey in 2019 with the out of the blue team. Also, spent monumental time with the mixed-gender roster valiance in early 2022. Historial success made in the Liga nexo.
Earlier this year, G2 Hel became the first all-women’s roster to qualify for the Liga Nexo, the second division of the European Regional League. After a strong group stage performance, they faced and were defeated by Falke Esports in the playoffs, a major step for representation. Calyts said that entering the Spanish circuit felt like a new experience when looking back. She was of the opinion that you should not underestimate the opposition, and never aims for a match you cannot win. She also said that they thought all the opponents they faced were beatable.
The Ripple Effect of Individual Success
Caltys recognized that the immediate impact of such achievements in broader inclusion may not be very great, as a single achievement can easily be ignored. Nonetheless, she pointed out that real long-term change will only come when young people arrive and can visibly see role models.
Calyts’ first takeaway from the structure of women’s and mixed tournaments was that it her focus was merely about the game and not about who is competing. As she gained more experience, she realized that women’s tournaments must be dedicated. She explained that future integration into mixed-gender leagues is a hope, but cases are rare and come with tons of pressure. These trailblazers are put under a microscope and sometimes expected to represent a whole group unfoundedly.
Looking Forward to Game Changers Rising
Following Liga Nexo, G2 Hel is now preparing for the very first League of Legends Game Changers Rising split. Between mid-September and end-October, eight teams will play the Group Stages and Playoffs. Both G2 Hel and Solary Académie have guaranteed their spots, while it will be through invites, open qualifiers, or Equal eSports Cup rankings for others.
Riot’s intention to create a dedicated women’s league comes on the back of the success of VALORANT Game Changers, which itself achieved record viewership and growth opportunities across the globe.
The League of Legends esports scene is about to change. Caltys believes the impact will come from new professionals working within the space, as a result of the successes and visibility of our current trailblazers.