Li-Ning x LPL 2023 Inaugural Season Jerseys: BLG, TES, LNG, WBG, EDG

In one of the biggest apparel deals in esports history, Li-Ning replaced Nike as the official jersey partner for all 17 LPL teams ahead of the 2023 Spring Split. The simultaneous rollout marked a turning point for Chinese esports fashion: a homegrown sportswear giant taking over from an American multinational, armed with a mandate to weave Chinese cultural identity into competitive gaming uniforms.

The result was a collection of jerseys that went far beyond team colors. Li-Ning assigned each organization a distinct cultural motif drawn from Chinese mythology, history, and regional heritage — design threads that would evolve across subsequent seasons all the way through 2026.

Bilibili Gaming: Dunhuang Origins

BLG’s inaugural Li-Ning jersey introduced a Dunhuang-inspired aesthetic, referencing the ancient Silk Road oasis city famous for its Buddhist cave murals and celestial imagery. Subtle brushstroke patterns and color gradients evoked the flying apsaras of the Mogao Caves, establishing a visual identity that would deepen with each passing year. The Dunhuang concept gave BLG a uniquely artistic jersey in a league where many teams lean toward aggressive, tech-forward designs.

Li-Ning LPL 2023 Inaugural Season Team Jersey

Top Esports: The Cloud Concept Begins

TES received a cloud motif that would become one of the most recognizable design elements in the LPL. The 2023 version laid the groundwork with flowing cloud patterns across the jersey’s body, referencing traditional Chinese cloud iconography found in imperial art and architecture. The design struck a balance between modern athletic wear and classical aesthetics, setting the tone for increasingly ambitious cloud interpretations in later seasons.

LNG Esports: The Qilin Debut

LNG’s jersey featured the Qilin, a mythical chimeric creature from Chinese legend that symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. The Qilin motif gave LNG a powerful identity anchor, connecting the team to deep cultural roots. The design also carried a family connection — LNG’s ownership has maintained a close relationship with the team’s creative direction, and the Qilin was chosen to represent those values of unity and strength. This inaugural version introduced the beast in a restrained style that would grow bolder in subsequent years.

Weibo Gaming: First Li-Ning Jersey

WBG’s 2023 Li-Ning jersey arrived as the team was building momentum toward what would become a historic Worlds 2023 run. The design incorporated elements that reflected Weibo Gaming’s aggressive competitive identity, with angular patterns and a color palette that set the stage for later dragon-themed iterations. As WBG’s international profile grew through their Worlds performance, this jersey became a sought-after collector’s piece for fans who followed the team’s rise.

Edward Gaming: Dragon Knight Origins

EDG’s jersey drew from a dragon knight concept, befitting the reigning 2021 World Champions. The design featured subtle draconic elements woven into EDG’s signature black and white scheme, giving the team a regal presence on stage. As one of China’s most successful organizations internationally, EDG’s culturally-rooted jersey reinforced the narrative that Li-Ning was building: Chinese esports teams wearing Chinese stories.

A League-Wide Transformation

The Nike-to-Li-Ning transition was not a gradual shift. All 17 LPL teams switched simultaneously, making it one of the most coordinated apparel overhauls in professional sports. Li-Ning brought its decades of experience manufacturing for the NBA, the Chinese Olympic team, and its own fashion lines to the esports arena, delivering jerseys in custom polyester with sublimated prints that matched or exceeded the quality of Nike’s previous offerings.

The jerseys were made available through ShopNings for international buyers and through individual team stores on Chinese platforms. Pricing remained competitive with other premium esports jerseys globally.