You see a shift in the League of Legends Championship Pacific as the 2026 season approaches. Riot Games has selected Australia’s Ground Zero Gaming to join the league, marking the organization’s entry into the Pacific competition.
You also see this change follow the removal of PSG TALON from the LCP. With this opening, Ground Zero Gaming steps into the guest team slot and prepares to compete against established teams when the season begins in January 2026.
Ground Zero Gaming joins the LCP
You see a vacant LCP slot filled after Riot removed PSG Talon from the league. Riot selected Ground Zero Gaming as a Guest team for the 2026 season, applying the same standards used during the league’s original formation.
Riot focused on operational readiness, long-term stability, and competitive balance across the Pacific. You also see Riot aim to preserve regional diversity while keeping the level of play consistent with international expectations.
Ground Zero Gaming enters as one of five Guest teams for 2026. During the Kickoff phase, you get a single Oceanic organization representing the region. This placement gives Ground Zero immediate exposure against established LCP teams when the season begins on January 16, 2026.
You should note the roster situation remains fluid. The organization’s most recent lineup relied heavily on Taiwanese players, with no Australians on the active roster. Expectations point toward a rebuild, which could open the door for Australian talent as the season approaches.
Key details at a glance
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Team status | Guest team |
| Season | LCP 2026 |
| Kickoff date | January 16, 2026 |
| Guest slots | Five total |
| OCE presence | Only OCE org at Kickoff |
You enter a competitive format where eight teams fight for a single regional berth at First Stand 2026. Ground Zero positions itself to compete immediately rather than treat the season as a trial run.
TALON’s removal across Riot’s competitive leagues
You witness Riot apply different solutions across its esports titles after removing TALON. In League of Legends, PSG Talon’s exit created the opening that Ground Zero Gaming now fills. In VALORANT, Riot took another path.
For VCT Pacific, you see Thai organization FULL SENSE step in. FULL SENSE absorbed TALON’s former roster, which allowed the league to keep Thailand represented without disrupting team continuity.
The League of Legends situation required different judgment. PSG Talon fielded Taiwanese players, and Taiwan already holds a strong presence within the LCP player pool. During the 2025 Season Finals, Taiwanese players accounted for roughly one-quarter of all competitors.
Because of that depth, Riot did not need to prioritize a direct national replacement. Instead, you see the league lean toward competitive balance and regional variety when choosing Ground Zero.
Comparison of Riot’s replacement approach
- VALORANT (VCT Pacific)
- Priority: Maintain national representation
- Outcome: FULL SENSE acquires existing roster
- League of Legends (LCP)
- Priority: Competitive balance and regional diversity
- Outcome: Ground Zero Gaming selected as Guest team
You end up with two different solutions shaped by player distribution and regional needs, rather than a single uniform policy.
