LCK 2025 Format Explained

The League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) 2025 season introduces an exciting competitive structure designed to elevate both pre-season excitement and regular season intensity. With the addition of a brand-new international event and multiple stages to determine the best teams, fans can expect more action-packed games and opportunities for their favorite teams to shine. Here’s an in-depth look at the format of the LCK 2025 season.

The LCK Cup 2025 serves as a pre-season tournament to determine the sole representative for the new international event, "First Stand."

1. Group Battle

• The 10 participating teams are divided into two groups.
• Each team plays a single-round robin against teams from the opposite group.
• Matches are best-of-three (Bo3).
• The first group to achieve 13 wins is declared the Winner Group, while the other becomes the Loser Group.
• Top 3 teams from the Winner Group advance directly to the playoffs.
• Bottom 2 teams from the Winner Group and top 4 teams from the Loser Group move to the Play-In Stage.
• The bottom team from the Loser Group is eliminated.

2. Play-In Stage

• Features a double-elimination bracket.
• The finals are Bo5, while all other matches are Bo3.

3. Playoffs

• Conducted in a double-elimination format.
• All matches are Bo5.
• The winner earns a spot in the international event, "First Stand."

The 2025 LCK season introduces a dynamic format split into multiple rounds, ensuring a high level of competition throughout the year.

I. Rounds 1-2

• A double round-robin format where all matches are Bo3.
• The top 6 teams from these rounds advance to the "Road to MSI" stage.

II. Rounds 3-5

1. Teams are split into two groups based on their standings in Rounds 1-2:

• The Legend Group comprises the top 5 teams.
• The Rise Group includes the bottom 5 teams.

2. A triple round-robin format is implemented, with records from Rounds 1-2 carried forward.
3. Matches remain Bo3.
4. Advancements are as follows:

• Top 2 teams from the Legend Group proceed to Playoffs Round 2.
• 3rd and 4th place teams from the Legend Group advance to Playoffs Round 1.
• The bottom team from the Legend Group and top 3 teams from the Rise Group move to the Play-In stage.
• The bottom two teams in the Rise Group are eliminated.

III. Play-In Stage

• Double elimination format.
• Top two teams advance to Playoffs Round 1.
• All matches are Bo5.

IV. Playoffs

• The playoffs adopt a double-elimination structure.
• All matches are Bo5.
• The top 3 teams qualify for the World Championship.

The LCK 2025 format promises a thrilling season with significant stakes at every stage. From the pre-season LCK Cup to the intense multi-round regular season and high-stakes playoffs, the new structure ensures continuous action and drama. Fans can look forward to witnessing teams rise to the occasion as they battle for international representation and a coveted spot at Worlds. The road to glory in the LCK has never been more competitive or rewarding.