Riot Games has officially launched the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) 2025, with the inaugural event set to commence on January 17, 2025, at 19:00 JST. This first split, dubbed the 'LCP Season Kickoff', will kick off with considerable excitement as teams vie for the coveted title and qualification for the international tournament ‘First Stand’.
The LCP is forged as the premier esports league for the Asia Pacific region, providing local teams the only path to compete on the global stage, aiming to bolster diversity and competitive spirit. Riot Games envisions this league as not just another tournament, but as the pinnacle of esports competition in the region, aiming to push the local League of Legends ecosystem to new heights.
Eight teams have been confirmed to participate, including industry leaders: CTBC Flying Oyster, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS gaming, GAM Esports, and Talon, who are recognized as 'Partner' teams. Joining them are the 'Guest' teams: DetonatioN FocusMe, MGN Vikings Esports, Team Secret Whales, and The Chiefs Esports Club. The stakes are high as these teams battle not only for supremacy within the region but for entry to international competitions.
The format of the league includes two primary phases: the Regular Season, comprising group stages and the Group Seeding Bracket, followed by the Playoffs. To add another layer of competitiveness, the season will also feature a promotion and relegation (P&R) tournament following the Season Finals. The P&R tournament will offer two guest spots contested through Free-for-All (FFA) and Regional Merit formats.
Matches will commence daily at 19:00 JST, with the season spanning from January 17 to February 23. Fans can look forward to thrilling matchups with the first week’s schedule kicking off as follows:
- January 17: CTBC Flying Oyster vs. MGN Vikings Esports at 19:00 JST; Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS gaming vs. GAM Esports at 21:30 JST.
- January 18: DetonatioN FocusMe vs. Team Secret Whales at 19:00 JST; The Chiefs Esports Club vs. Talon at 21:30 JST.
- January 19: MGN Vikings Esports vs. GAM Esports at 19:00 JST; Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS gaming vs. CTBC Flying Oyster at 21:30 JST.
The excitement doesn't end there; fans and viewers can catch all the live action on Riot Games’ Twitch and YouTube channels where matches will be streamed free of charge. “LCP will be the only stage for teams within the region to aspire to participate in the global tournament,” stated Riot Games, marking this tournament as not just another competition, but as the future of League of Legends esports.
Alongside the top-tier matches, Riot Games emphasized, “Expect skill, passion, and rivalry from these top-tier teams,” setting the stage for what should be some unforgettable moments during the season.
The League of Legends Championship Pacific 2025 promises to be a landmark event for esports enthusiasts, and as teams battle for glory, viewers are encouraged to immerse themselves and cheer for their favorites. With so much on the line and the thrill of competition set to peak, January 17 marks the commencement of what is sure to be an incredible season.