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

Format
- 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.
- Play-In Stage
- Features a double-elimination bracket.
- The finals are Bo5, while all other matches are Bo3.
- Playoffs
- Conducted in a double-elimination format.
- All matches are Bo5.
- The winner earns a spot in the international event, "First Stand."
Regular Season: 2025 LCK Format
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
- 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.
- A triple round-robin format is implemented, with records from Rounds 1-2 carried forward.
- Matches remain Bo3.
- 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.
Conclusion
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.