The stage is set, the stakes are sky-high, and the excitement is electric—LCK Cup 2025 is here to redefine the League of Legends Champions Korea experience! Say goodbye to the old LCK Spring and Summer split format. This year, the league introduces a streamlined season and the highly anticipated LCK Cup, a tournament bursting with nostalgia and innovation.
Schedule for the LCK Cup 2025
LCK’s back with a brand new tournament style!
The 2025 #LCK CUP will officially start on Jan. 15, at 5PM KST!
Starting from the Group Battle, then Play-Ins, Playoffs and the pinnacle at Finals – mark your calendars and don’t miss a single game of the 2025 LCK CUP! pic.twitter.com/5yuA39w3Wr
— LCK (@LCK) January 7, 2025
LCK Cup 2025: New Tournament Format
Gone are the days of LCK Spring and Summer. Instead, the regular season of one of the biggest Esports tournaments in 2025 is streamlined into one continuous run, split into two halves, with players battling it out in round robins before and after MSI. But the real buzz? The introduction of the LCK Cup 2025, a thrilling new tournament channeling the nostalgia of OGN Winter, running from January to February 2025.
Kicking off on January 15, 2025, the LCK Cup features two groups of five teams—Group A and Group B. The top teams from last season, Gen.G and Hanwha Life, will lead the group selections. In a unique twist, they’ll each pick a team to join their group, and those teams will continue the selection process until the groups are filled.
Teams face off in a best-of-three cross-group showdown, earning points for every victory. The group stage’s top teams, with the most points, secure direct playoff spots, while the rest fight for glory in play-ins using a partial double-elimination format. Playoffs will mirror the familiar format of previous LCK seasons, but with everything on the line—only the LCK Cup champion will represent the region at the year’s first international tournament in March.
Adding to the excitement of the LCK Cup 2025, Riot Games has unveiled a third international tournament in Q1, featuring the innovative Fearless Draft system. This format shakes up the meta by prohibiting teams from re-picking champions across games—a strategic masterpiece fans can preview during the LCK Cup.
The stakes are higher, the format bolder, and the LCK Cup promises to be a must-watch spectacle. Who will claim the crown and take the global stage? Stay tuned!
SEE: 5 Best League of Legends Teams: Rift Royalties to Watch Out for in 2025
League of Legends Champions Korea Cup Teams
The stakes couldn’t be higher! The LCK Cup 2025 champion will claim the ultimate prize: a spot at the international First Stand event, set to electrify South Korea this March.
In the pre-tournament draw, teams have been divided into two powerhouse groups:
- Baron Group: HLE, T1, BNK FEARX, BRO, and DN Freecs
- Elder Group: Gen.G, Dplus KIA, KT Rolster, Nongshim RedForce, and DRX
The top teams of the 2024 season—HLE and Gen.G—were assigned to the Baron and Elder Groups, respectively, and kickstarted a strategic team selection process. Each picked a squad from the pool of eight, with chosen teams continuing the draft until all groups were locked in.
But here’s the twist: instead of battling within their groups, teams in the LCK Cup 2025 will face off against opponents from the opposite group in high-stakes matches. Every win counts as they race to rack up points for their side.
By the end of the group stage:
- The group with the most victories will be crowned the “Winners Group”, securing superior seeding for the next two tournament phases.
- The last-placed team from the “Losers Group” will face direct elimination, leaving no room for error.
It’s all about strategy, skill, and grit as these teams clash for regional dominance and a shot at global glory. Will your favorite team rise to the challenge? The battle begins soon!
SEE:5 Best League of Legends Teams: Rift Royalties to Watch Out for in 2025
