Fnatic potentially moving its academy team to a new region

Following an impressive run of four consecutive split victories across UK and Nordic competitions, Fnatic’s development squad Fnatic Rising appears poised for a strategic regional transition that could reshape the European competitive ecosystem.

During a recent interactive question-and-answer session hosted by the organization’s League of Legends director Javier “Dardo” Zafra alongside CEO Sam Mathews, both executives detailed comprehensive plans to consolidate Fnatic Rising with the primary LEC lineup within a unified training complex scheduled for April 2021. This strategic consolidation will relocate the academy roster from Fnatic’s established London operational center to Berlin, where the flagship team currently operates for LEC participation.

While stationed in London, Fnatic Rising consistently dominated the UKLC circuit, securing three back-to-back split championships before extending their winning streak to capture the inaugural NLC title—a newly established competition merging both UK and Nordic regional leagues during Summer 2020. Despite their commanding performance within the Northern European competitive scene, the impending Berlin relocation has generated significant speculation regarding whether Fnatic’s talent development program might transition to Germany’s Prime League, widely recognized as providing substantially stronger competitive challenges.

the NLC or will they switch to the dach-one. I for one would love a switch. The amount of viewers in germany is 10 times as much and the competition is better. 😀

— ManMakingMistakes (@Heroic_Bastard)November 23, 2020

This speculation gained tangible credibility when Mathews publicly endorsed a supporter’s social media post advocating for migration to the DACH league, highlighting the territory’s expanded audience metrics and elevated gameplay standards as compelling justification for such strategic repositioning.

That would be next year

— LEC Wooloo ???????? (@LEC_Wooloo)November 24, 2020

The subsequent day, prominent industry insider and Twitter personality LEC Wooloo intensified the discussion when he indicated that any potential transition “would be next year” when the circulating rumor was presented to him for commentary.

Should this organizational shift materialize, immediate implementation appears improbable given current roster construction activities already in advanced stages and the absence of any official declaration regarding regional league modification at this juncture.

The potential migration from NLC to Prime League represents more than mere geographical convenience—it constitutes a strategic recalibration with profound implications for player development, organizational visibility, and competitive readiness. The German-speaking DACH region consistently demonstrates viewer engagement metrics that dwarf Northern European numbers, creating enhanced sponsorship opportunities and greater brand exposure for participating organizations.

Competitive intensity represents another crucial consideration. Prime League teams typically feature more experienced rosters and sophisticated strategic approaches, providing academy players with superior developmental challenges. This elevated competitive environment better prepares talent for potential LEC promotions, though the transition demands careful adjustment to avoid overwhelming developing competitors.

Common strategic missteps in regional transitions include underestimating adaptation periods, inadequate scouting of new competitive landscapes, and poor communication with existing fan bases. Organizations should allocate at least 2-3 months for full competitive integration when moving between regional leagues.

Advanced optimization for such transitions involves establishing preliminary scrimmage partnerships with target region teams months before official competition begins, implementing region-specific meta analysis, and developing transitional roster strategies that blend experienced players with developing talent.

Astralis to take NLC spot?

Fnatic Rising’s potential departure from the NLC would inevitably create a competitive vacancy requiring fulfillment, with the recently rebranded Astralis organization emerging as the most logical successor. While Origen’s developmental squad previously competed within Spanish circuits due to founder Enrique “xPeke” Cedeño Martínez’s regional connections, Astralis maintains established Danish organizational roots making Nordic league participation strategically coherent.

From purely branding considerations the transition appears strategically sound, yet it also carries significant competitive ramifications for the organization. Origen’s former academy lineup only participated in Spain’s secondary competitive tier, Liga Nexo, following separation from partner SevenMila who controlled their premier division position. Transitioning Astralis’ development program into a top-tier ERL competition could substantially enhance secondary roster utilization, securing superior practice environments and accelerating talent cultivation for the primary team.

For organizations considering similar regional transitions, strategic preparation should include comprehensive market analysis, existing fanbase communication planning, and gradual competitive integration strategies. The Class Guide provides valuable insights into roster construction methodologies applicable to such strategic organizational movements.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Fnatic potentially moving its academy team to a new region Analyzing Fnatic Rising's potential region switch and Astralis' opportunity in the NLC competitive landscape