Ground Zero Gaming Joins LCP 2026, Replacing TALON’s Vacated Slot

Ground Zero Gaming (GZ) has officially been confirmed as a Guest team for the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) 2026, filling the slot left vacant following TALON’s removal from the league. The announcement finalizes one of the most significant structural changes in the LCP ahead of the 2026 season.

TALON’s Exit Leaves Vacancy in the LCP

TALON’s departure from the LCP followed a prolonged period of organizational and financial instability. In an official statement addressed to fans, the organization cited extended delays in a planned funding round, which significantly disrupted its esports operations across multiple titles.

Despite expressing confidence that the issues could eventually be resolved, TALON confirmed it would step back from League of Legends Esports, accepting Riot Games’ decision to remove the organization from the LCP ecosystem. This decision left an open slot in the league, prompting Riot to initiate a formal review process to identify a replacement ahead of the 2026 season.

LCP Selects Ground Zero Gaming as Replacement

According to the League of Legends Championship Pacific, the selection process for TALON’s replacement followed the same evaluation framework used during the LCP’s initial formation. Riot assessed candidate organizations based on:

• Operational stability

• Competitive readiness

• Long-term sustainability

• Alignment with Pacific regional values

After reviewing multiple proposals, the LCP determined that Ground Zero Gaming best met these criteria. The league emphasized that GZ’s inclusion supports its long-term goal of maintaining a balanced competitive environment while strengthening regional representation.

PCS Representation and Roster Requirements

Ground Zero Gaming will represent the Pacific Championship Series (PCS) as its designated home region. Under current LCP regulations, GZ will be required to field PCS-eligible players throughout the 2026 season.

This regional designation will also apply to any future participation in the LCP Promotion Series under the guest slot framework, reinforcing the league’s emphasis on regional identity and competitive integrity.

Looking Ahead to the LCP 2026 Season

With Ground Zero Gaming officially confirmed, the LCP moves closer to finalizing its competitive lineup after a turbulent offseason. The league is scheduled to return on January 16, 2026, with GZ joining the rest of the teams for the LCP 2026 Season Kickoff.

While roster details and competitive expectations for Ground Zero Gaming have yet to be revealed, their inclusion signals Riot Games’ intent to prioritize stability, structure, and regional representation as the League of Legends Championship Pacific enters its next chapter.