The world of League of Legends esports is set to take on new heights with the launch of the LCK Cup tournament, kicking off this Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the LCK Arena located in LoL Park, Jongno-gu, central Seoul.
This year's tournament introduces the innovative 'Fearless Draft' rule, initially tested during the 2024 LCK Challengers League. Under this rule, players are prohibited from selecting characters already used by their opponents during matches. This means if all matches of a best-of-three series are played, each team can potentially ban 20 champions, and for best-of-five matchups, the limit can rise to 50. This change aims to encourage teams to diversify their champion pool, fostering creative strategies and enhancing the viewing experience for fans.
The LCK Cup will feature celebrated esports teams, with Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G poised to lead their respective groups based on their stellar performance during the 2024 LCK summer season. Hanwha Life Esports finds itself grouped with formidable competitors, including T1, BNK Fearx, DN Freecs, and OK Savings Bank Brion. Meanwhile, Gen.G will face off against teams such as Dplus Kia, KT Rolster, Nongshim RedForce, and DRX.
Unlike traditional formats, playoff qualification will rely upon the cumulative performance of teams within each group, allowing for unique matchups and collaborations between teams usually considered rivals. The top three teams from the winning group will secure direct spots in the playoffs, whereas others will engage in play-ins for another chance to advance.
Although the LCK Cup will not influence any team's overall record for the 2025 season, it holds significant importance; the triumphant team will have the privilege of representing the LCK at the inaugural First Stand Tournament, Riot Games' upcoming international event.
The action-packed tournament will maintain momentum as the group stage runs until February 2, followed by play-ins from February 7 to 9. The playoffs are scheduled to begin on February 12, leading up to the ultimate championship battle on February 23.
Fans eager to witness the excitement live can purchase tickets via Interpark Ticket, available two days before each match, priced at 20,000 won on weekdays and progressively increasing on weekends and playoff days to 30,000 won.
For those unable to attend, the event will be broadcast live across multiple platforms, including Soop, Naver Esports, and the YouTube LCK channel. It's shaping up to be a thrilling month for League of Legends enthusiasts, showcasing the competitive spirit and innovative dynamics of the world of esports.