Team Formation and Name

Doublelift’s new League of Legends team has decided to keep playing together and officially go by the name “Near Airport.” The group was formed by popular streamers and former professional players who wanted to test their skills in a structured competition. The team began as a casual idea, but it grew into something more serious when they saw a chance to join the North American Challengers League (NACL). The motto they follow is simple: they are a group of friends who want to play and enjoy the game, even if others doubt their current form.

Roster

The Near Airport roster comes with a blend of experience and personality. Each member brings unique skills and history from their time as players. The lineup is as follows:

• Top: Ashkan “TF Blade” Homayouni
• Jungle: Mingyi “Spica” Lu
• Mid: Eugene “Pobelter” Park
• ADC: Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng
• Support: Vincent “Biofrost” Wang
• Head Coach: Chris “Croissant” Sun

Each member has competed at a high level in the past, which helps the team combine solid in-game knowledge with an entertaining approach to matches and streaming.

Path to the NACL

Near Airport took part in open qualifiers for the NACL to see how far they could go. Their strong performance in these qualifiers earned them a position in the main league. For a while, there was a question about whether they would continue due to time constraints. After careful thought, they decided to move forward and compete.

They aim to do their best given their various streaming and practice schedules. The players have noted that even though it can be tough to manage their time, they are excited about the challenge. They hope to measure themselves against well-established teams while having fun along the way.

Schedule and Commitment

The NACL’s first split runs from March 26 to June 6. Near Airport must balance official matches with practice sessions. They plan on at least three or four practice days each week, in addition to one or two official match days. This level of structure ensures they can maintain a good balance between content creation and focused play. Each player is aware that a consistent schedule is crucial for improving teamwork and communication.

Streaming and Content

Since most members already have streaming backgrounds, they intend to share their scrims and some of their practice sessions. They believe this can keep fans involved while giving a clear view of their approach to improvement. Viewers can expect to learn more about teamwork, decision-making, and strategies that these veterans apply in their games. This open approach also encourages more interaction with those supporting the squad.

Goals and Expectations

One of their main goals is to maintain an active presence in front of fans. They also want to see if they can succeed at a higher level of competition. While some fans are confident in their ability, others have doubts about whether these players can still keep up with the demands of a challenging league. The team members are aware of these mixed opinions, and they seem ready to prove themselves through good communication, teamwork, and careful preparation.

Tournament Details

The NACL boasts a $40,000 prize pool and follows a single round-robin format in the Group Stage. The top six teams advance to a double-elimination playoff. Near Airport’s first official match in the league is set for March 26, 2025. Observers who are interested in their progress can stay updated by watching the players’ channels and checking social media updates.

The team has stated that their success will depend on how quickly they can adapt to new patches, refine their teamwork, and manage their busy schedules. They are willing to give it a strong effort, whether it leads to reaching higher leagues or simply doing the best they can in NACL. What is certain is that their journey will provide a competitive test and possibly bring more attention to player-created teams hoping to make a mark in organized competition.