Introduction to the LCK 2025 Season

The region that emerged victorious at First Stand is gearing up to continue its momentum as the LCK 2025 Season begins. This season will kick off on Wednesday, April 2nd, marking the start of the first stage of the tournament, which includes Rounds 1 and 2. The LCK 2025 Season will play a crucial role in selecting the league’s representatives for the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and the teams that will compete in Worlds 2025.

New Season Format

This season will introduce a revamped format, replacing the previous Spring and Summer splits with a single, longer season. Here’s how the season is structured:

• Rounds 1-2: All 10 teams will participate in a double round-robin format. The top six teams at the end of these rounds will advance to the “LCK Road to MSI” regional qualifier.
• Rounds 3-5: Teams will be divided based on their standings after the first two rounds:
  • Legends Group: This group will consist of the top five teams.
  • Rise Group: This group will comprise the bottom five teams.

  Performance in these rounds will affect playoff seeding and the path to Worlds.

Season Schedule

The action starts in early April, with the first matches set for Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025. The schedule for match days is as follows:

• Weekday matches begin at 5 PM KST / 8 AM GMT / 1 AM PT.
• Weekend matches start at 3 PM KST / 6 AM GMT / 11 PM PT.

Opening Matches

The season opener will be a highly anticipated contest between Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G on April 2nd. This particular match carries extra significance because Hanwha Life Esports has recently enjoyed success, winning both the inaugural LCK Cup and the First Stand international tournament. In contrast, Gen.G will be looking to overcome their recent defeats to Hanwha Life, including losses in the 2024 LCK Summer Finals and the LCK Cup Finals.

Another eagerly awaited match is set for Sunday, April 6th, featuring fierce rivals Gen.G and T1.

Additional Details

• All matches will follow a best-of-three (Bo3) format.
• The Fearless Draft system will be employed, banning champions previously picked in a series.
• Live match tickets can be purchased via Interpark, with weekday tickets priced at ₩20,000 and weekend tickets at ₩25,000.
• Fans can follow the action live on multiple platforms, including YouTube, SOOP, and Naver Esports & Games.

The LCK 2025 season aims to provide a more dynamic tournament experience, offering more matches and increased opportunities for teams that may have struggled in previous seasons. The new format is designed to generate more engagement and excitement among fans and participants alike.