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Why League of Legends Still Fails Its Female Pro Players

They're skilled, determined, and still shut out. Meet the women fighting for a place in League of Legends' male-dominated pro scene—and the excuses keeping them back.

The image shows two women playing a game of handball in front of a crowd of people sitting on...
The image shows two women playing a game of handball in front of a crowd of people sitting on chairs and standing, with railings in the background. Both women are wearing sports uniforms and footwear.

Why League of Legends Still Fails Its Female Pro Players

Sexism remains a persistent issue in the competitive League of Legends scene. Recent discussions on the game's subreddit have highlighted ongoing discrimination against female players. Despite efforts to join professional teams, many women continue to face rejection based on gender rather than skill. The professional League of Legends environment is overwhelmingly male-dominated. Since 2020, no top-tier teams in Europe or North America have included women in their main rosters. While G2 Hel, an all-female squad, qualified for Europe's second-division Liga Nexo, no major organisation has taken similar steps in premier leagues.

Two female players, Caltys and Colomblbl, have spoken about being turned away from teams because of their gender. Caltys, a professional player, revealed she has heard the same excuses for rejection since she was 16. In one case, team management claimed male players might focus on flirting rather than competing if a female ADC joined the roster.

The issue gained further attention in 2025 when top laner Bwipo made derogatory comments about women. His team responded by benching him and donating his prize money to charity. Despite such incidents, no formal anti-sexism policies have been publicly introduced by professional organisations. Female players continue to seek opportunities in tournaments and leagues, yet barriers persist. The lack of representation in top-tier rosters and recurring discrimination suggest systemic challenges remain. Without structured measures, the scene's gender imbalance is unlikely to change soon.

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