Los Ratones Shuts Down After Narrow Miss in 2026 LEC Versus

Los Ratones, the streamer-led League of Legends team founded by Caedrel, has ended operations following the final week of the 2026 LEC Versus Regular Season. The team missed playoff qualification by a small margin after a decisive loss on the last day. Soon after, Caedrel announced that the project was over, confirming that the roster would not continue into future stages.

How the Team Entered the Competition

Los Ratones joined the 2026 LEC Versus as an invited, non-franchised roster. They were not a permanent organization within the league structure, but they were allowed to compete during the split. This setup made them different from most competitors and drew attention to how they would perform against established teams. Their approach and profile, shaped by well-known personalities, quickly became a focal point for viewers and discussion.

Regular Season Performance

The team started slowly, finishing the first week without a win. Despite that setback, they adjusted and built momentum in the middle of the split. Results improved to the point where a top-three regular season finish was within reach. The final standings, however, came down to their last match. A loss to Team Vitality on the final day closed the door on playoffs. That single result determined their fate, leaving them just short of advancing.

Audience Interest and Viewership

Even though they were eliminated from contention, Los Ratones became a major driver of viewership across the stage. Their matches were consistently among the most watched during the tournament window. The closing match against Team Vitality drew especially strong numbers, nearly matching the peak audience from the same phase in the previous year. Within that stage, it was the most popular match. These figures show that their presence had a clear effect on audience engagement, regardless of their final placement.

Caedrel’s Announcement and Message

In a video message, Caedrel confirmed the shutdown of the team. He expressed pride in what the roster achieved but also accepted responsibility for the result. He explained that qualification was within reach and that the outcome came down to their own play. He also addressed criticism circulating online by emphasizing that there were no external factors to blame and that the team’s performance determined the result. The message closed the competitive chapter while recognizing the effort from players and staff.

Player Reflections

Players shared personal notes about their experience with the project. Rekkles spoke about the team environment and said he felt less stress than in past roles. He also mentioned attending therapy weekly during the split, which helped him manage the pressure. Crownie described the run as a highlight of his career. Nemesis said the project exceeded his expectations and compared it favorably with time spent at larger organizations. Baus and Velja also posted emotional messages, thanking teammates and the community for support during the split. Together, these reflections suggested that, while the result was disappointing, the day-to-day environment was positive and meaningful to the roster.

What Happens Next

The competitive project is over, and the members will move on to separate paths. Still, a full goodbye is not guaranteed. Caedrel left open the possibility of a one-off reunion in special settings, such as a showmatch or other casual event, if an opportunity makes sense. In addition, a behind-the-scenes documentary produced by Red Bull is in development. It will feature footage from the team’s run, though no release date has been announced. These plans suggest that the story of Los Ratones may continue in a lighter format, even though the team will not compete as a unit.

Why This Story Stood Out

Los Ratones drew unusual attention for a short-term roster. Several factors played a role: their status as an invited, non-franchised team; the recognizable names on the roster; and the close playoff race that held up until the final match day. Their ability to rebound after a difficult first week and remain competitive near the top of the table created a clear narrative. The strong viewership numbers indicate that many fans followed that storyline to the end, even though the team did not progress to playoffs.

Key Takeaways

The end of Los Ratones rests on competitive results rather than outside issues. The team showed that an invited roster can shape a split’s conversation, both on the broadcast and across social channels. While the final loss to Team Vitality prevented a playoff appearance, the season featured a notable mid-split turnaround, high-profile matches, and a level of interest that matched or approached prior-year peaks during the same phase. The players’ comments point to a healthy environment that supported performance and well-being, even under pressure.

Looking Ahead

As the players and staff move forward, the legacy of the project will likely be remembered for two things: its on-stage recovery after a rough start and the audience response that followed. Any future reunion would be casual and limited to special events, if it happens at all. For now, the competitive chapter is closed, and the story of Los Ratones stands as a brief but impactful run that ended just shy of playoffs.