Inaugural LCK Cup to Decide Korea’s League of Legends Champion

SEOUL, South Korea — The inaugural League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Cup kicked off Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, with ten teams vying for a spot in the newly created international First Stand Tournament. The event, organized by Riot Games, will run through Feb. 23 and feature a groundbreaking “fearless draft” rule to enhance gameplay diversity.

The LCK Cup marks the first time the Korean league will adopt the fearless draft system, which prohibits teams from using the same set of champions in consecutive matches. This rule aims to encourage strategic variety and more dynamic team compositions. The tournament will also introduce a group stage format, with teams divided into two groups competing for playoff spots.

Defending world champion T1 is among the ten teams participating in the LCK Cup. The winner will secure a place in the First Stand Tournament, a new international League of Legends competition set to debut in March 2025. Seoul has been chosen as the host city for the inaugural event.

“This is an exciting moment for the LCK and the global League of Legends community,” said a spokesperson for Riot Games. “The fearless draft rule and the introduction of the First Stand Tournament will bring fresh challenges and opportunities for players and fans alike.”

The LCK Cup will feature a group stage followed by a play-in stage, where the top three teams from each group advance directly to the playoffs. The remaining teams will compete for three additional playoff spots. The tournament promises to deliver high-stakes matches and showcase the best of Korean League of Legends talent.

League of Legends, developed by Riot Games, has become one of the most popular online games worldwide, with a massive esports following. The LCK Cup and the First Stand Tournament are expected to further elevate the game’s competitive scene and attract global attention.