Closure of Los Ratones

Los Ratones, the League of Legends team founded by streamer Marc “Caedrel” Lamont, has shut down after missing the playoffs in LEC Versus 2026. The team finished 9th overall. Caedrel shared the news in a YouTube video, saying, “Los Ratones will be shutting down. That’s it—that’s the end of the journey.” He explained that continuing without a franchising slot in the LEC was not realistic because the league has limited spots and high entry costs. The project will not take part in the LEC Spring or Summer 2026 splits.

How the 2026 LEC Versus Run Unfolded

The season began poorly for Los Ratones. They opened with a 0-4 start that put them at the bottom of the standings. Despite this, the team rallied and produced the event’s longest win streak, taking four matches in a row. Those victories included notable wins over Movistar KOI and G2 Esports. At that point, they looked like strong playoff contenders, and their matches drew considerable interest.

By the end, Los Ratones recorded five map wins, finishing ahead of teams such as Shifters and SK Gaming. The playoff line was within reach; one more win would have secured a place. Their elimination came after a decisive loss to Team Vitality in a high-pressure match late in the regular season. That game, along with others during their run, drew peak viewership that was close to the same stage of the previous year. Their climb from the early losses to the playoff race helped lift overall audience numbers for the event.

Origins and Reasons Behind the Shutdown

Los Ratones began in 2024 as a casual “streamer team.” Over time it became a serious competitive project. The roster earned several EU Masters titles in 2025 and then stepped into LEC Versus competition, where they finished 9th. Even with those results, the path forward was limited. Without an LEC franchising slot, the team had no stable place in the top league. Franchising spots are few, and the fees are high, which makes entry difficult for new organizations. Caedrel said the project started and ended with the original group and that they would not move into a tier-2 regional league, such as the LFL. With no plan to join an ERL and no LEC slot available, the decision was made to close the team rather than continue in a format that did not fit the project’s goals.

Reactions from Players and Staff

Players and staff shared personal notes with fans after the announcement. Their comments pointed to the bond within the team and the support from the audience throughout the run:

• TheBausffs (Simon Hofverberg): Said he was disappointed with the ending, confirmed he is done with the project, and will return to streaming.
• Crownie (Juš Marušič): Described the experience as the highlight of his career and praised the supportive environment inside the team.
• Velja (Veljko Čamdžić): Thanked the fans directly, saying the team’s identity and momentum came from their support.
• Nemesis and Rekkles: Their futures remain undecided. There is talk that they may either step away from professional play or consider offers from other LEC teams.
• Coach YamatoCannon: Pointed to the passion behind the project and the focus on entertaining, competitive matches.

Caedrel said he was proud of how the group developed after the early setbacks. He acknowledged the team faced online criticism during the rough start but felt they earned respect through their mid-season surge. He also noted that, heading into the final matches, the team controlled its own fate but did not close out the games needed to qualify.

What Comes Next

A revival of the project is unlikely. While there are no plans for continued competition, informal reunions such as occasional showmatches may still happen. A behind-the-scenes documentary is in the works and is expected to feature the team’s journey, though the release date has not been announced. Caedrel has stated an interest in LEC team ownership in the future if the right opportunity appears.

For the players, the next steps vary:

• Some, like TheBausffs, are returning to full-time streaming.
• Others may explore options with LEC rosters if suitable offers arrive.
• A few are considering time away from competition while they decide on long-term plans.

As of now, there is no continuation for Los Ratones in LEC Spring or Summer 2026, and there are no plans to enter an ERL. The project closes with a season that moved from a harsh start to a real playoff chance, only to fall short in the final stretch. The closing reflects structural limits in the current system and a commitment to keep the project aligned with its original group and goals.