PSG, H2K reportedly partner for EU LCS franchise bid

12 September 2018

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A report from ESPN has alleged that French football club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and UK-based esports organisation H2K have finalised a partnership that sees them co-apply for a franchise slot in the European League of Legends Championship Series (EU LCS).

The EU LCS Summer Split has now wrapped up, meaning when the European competition returns it will be adapting a franchise model just like the North American League of Legends Championship Series (NA LCS) did at the beginning of 2018.

Paris Saint-Germain H2K

According to the report, H2K will be the operating partner for the team, in which it would be co-branded much like PSG’s Dota 2 efforts with LGD Gaming. If the application is accepted, it will mark the return of PSG to League of Legends, following multiple disappointments in 2017.

H2K and PSG are said to be among “two dozen applicants” in the second stage of the franchising process. At this stage, these applications travel to Berlin to be interviewed by Riot Games regarding their applications. Accepted teams will reportedly be selected in October.

Most recently, H2K finished in last place in the EU LCS 2018 Summer Split – ending with a record of two wins and 16 losses. PSG Esports currently competes in FIFA, Rocket League, and Dota 2.

Vodafone Giants have also reportedly applied for a franchise slot in the EU LCS, alongside UK football clubs Arsenal, Crystal Palace, and Swansea City.

Esports Insider says: PSG has seen plenty of success with its partnership with LGD Gaming in Dota 2, so no doubt it would be hoping to replicate this in the EU LCS should it be successful with H2K in the application process. A clean slate in terms of rosters would definitely help with that, as H2K proved to be the worst team in the most recent season of the competition.