Europe’s regional League of Legends circuit has lost much of its capacity to pay professional players. Sheep Esports estimates that teams paying an average of at least €1,500 per player each month fell from around 60 in Spring 2023 to 18 in Winter 2026.
What the numbers measure
Brieuc “Wooloo” Seeger’s November 3 report compares estimated team averages, checked with agents and, for borderline cases, teams. The €1,500 cutoff is a research benchmark; living costs differ by country. It does not mean everyone below it is unpaid.
Sheep projects that only six to eleven teams could meet that threshold in early 2027. That is an estimate of next season’s market, not a confirmed count.
Departures narrow the field
The outlet also reports that Kaufland Hangry Knights, whose roster includes Abbedagge, will leave the Prime League. The departure remains a media report.
Barça eSports has already announced its exit from Spain’s LES. Meanwhile, the regional circuit’s strongest teams continue to compete: Galions beat Solary 3–2 in the EMEA Masters Summer final on October 22.
Sources: Sheep Esports — ERL salary estimates; Sheep Esports — Kaufland departure report.