Inaugural LCK Cup Launches with ‘Fearless Draft’ Rule in Seoul

SEOUL, South Korea — The inaugural LCK Cup, a League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) tournament, kicked off Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at the LCK Arena in LoL Park, Jongno-gu, central Seoul. The event will determine which team represents South Korea in the newly created international First Stand Tournament, set to debut in March 2025.

Ten Korean teams, including defending world champion T1, will compete in the LCK Cup, which runs through February 23. The tournament introduces the “fearless draft” rule, a first for the Korean league, designed to promote diverse team compositions and gameplay. Under this rule, teams cannot reuse the same set of champions in consecutive matches, encouraging strategic variety.

The competition follows a group stage format, with teams divided into two groups. Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G, both powerhouses in the League of Legends scene, lead their respective groups based on their performance in the 2024 LCK summer season. The top three teams from each group will advance directly to the playoffs, while the remaining teams will compete in a play-in stage for additional playoff spots.

“The fearless draft rule will offer fans a more dynamic viewing experience,” said a spokesperson for Riot Games, the tournament organizer. “It challenges teams to explore a broader range of characters and tactics, making each match unpredictable and exciting.”

The LCK Cup winner will earn the honor of representing South Korea in the First Stand Tournament, an international event also organized by Riot Games. The results of the LCK Cup will not affect teams’ records for the 2025 season, but the tournament serves as a critical stepping stone for global recognition.

The group stage runs through February 2, followed by play-ins from February 7 to 9 and playoffs beginning February 12. The championship match is scheduled for February 23. Fans can watch the event live on platforms like Soop, Naver Esports, and the YouTube LCK channel. On-site tickets, priced at 20,000 won on weekdays, 25,000 won on weekends, and 30,000 won for playoffs, are available via Interpark Ticket.