On January 15 in Korea, the first regional tournament of 2025 for League of Legends kicks off. It will feature 10 teams competing for one slot at the First Stand 2025. We have prepared a preview of this tournament for you.
Tournament Format
10 teams are divided into two groups. All matches are held in a bo3 format using the Fearless Draft system. Teams play one round-robin with teams from the opposite group. The group that reaches 13 wins first becomes the Winners Group, and the other becomes the Losers Group. The top three teams from the Winners Group secure spots in the playoffs. The two weakest teams from the Winners Group and the four strongest teams from the Losers Group advance to the Play-In stage. The last team of the Losers Group is eliminated from the tournament.
Main Favorites
The team T1 concluded 2024 on a high note, clinching victory at Worlds 2024. This triumph surprised many, as the team faced challenges throughout the season. However, thanks to coordinated play and strategic approach, T1 overcame all obstacles and secured the championship title.
Before the start of the 2025 season, T1 made significant changes to their roster. Star top laner Zeus left the team, joining Hanwha Life Esports. He was replaced by Doran, known for his stable and reliable play in the top lane.
T1's ambitions for the new season remain high. After triumphing at Worlds 2024, the team aims to cement their leader status and demonstrate consistent results throughout the year. With a new roster and updated strategy, T1 plans to actively compete for top spots in regional and international tournaments.
Fans, as always, expect high-level play from T1 and regard them as one of the main contenders for future competition victories. Given their history and potential, T1 has every chance to continue their success streak in 2025.
Title Contenders
Gen.G
In the off-season, Gen.G made significant roster changes aimed at strengthening their position for the 2025 season. Notably, legendary bot laner Ruler returned to the lineup after two years in the Chinese LPL league with JD Gaming. During his stint in LPL, Ruler achieved the spring and summer split titles, as well as victory at the Mid-Season Invitational.
Additionally, Gen.G successfully extended the contract with talented mid laner Chovy, ensuring his presence in the team until the end of 2027. This move underscores the organization's commitment to stability and long-term development.
With Ruler's return, Chovy's retention, and Duro's signing, Gen.G shows serious ambitions for the upcoming season. Fans and analysts expect high results from the team in regional and international tournaments, given their updated roster and previous achievements. Gen.G appears as one of the main title contenders in 2025.
Hanwha Life Esports
Team Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) made an unexpected boost by signing two-time world champion Choi "Zeus" Woo-je for the top lane position for the LCK 2025 season. This transfer was one of the most highlighted in the off-season, showing that HLE has serious ambitions for the upcoming season.
In the LCK Summer Split 2024, HLE showcased impressive play, winning the championship title after a tough victory over Gen.G in the finals. With coordinated play and exceptional individual skills from the team's leaders, HLE once again proved their status as a top team in the region.
However, at the Worlds 2024 championship, HLE failed to consolidate their regional success. The team reached the semifinals, where they lost to T1, finishing among the top four teams globally. Although the result appears respectable, it fell short of HLE's ambitions, who were aiming to win the world champion title.
With Zeus's signing, HLE aims to strengthen their position and return to the top in 2025. The team has every chance to compete for top spots in both the LCK and international tournaments. With a new top laner and updated strategy, HLE looks like one of the main title contenders this year, with fans expecting the team to realize its immense potential.
Dark Horse
KT Rolster, despite not having the strongest lineup, could become the "dark horse" of the upcoming LCK 2025 season. Key players, such as mid laner Gwak "Bdd" Bo-sung and jungler Moon "Cuzz" Woo-chan, have the potential to lead the team to success.
Bdd, known for his performances on champions like Orianna and Azir, demonstrated consistent play in the 2024 season. In the LCK Spring Split 2024, he had a KDA ratio of 4.7 and an average CS per minute of 8.8.
Cuzz, who returned to KT Rolster, has significant experience and an aggressive playstyle that could be a decisive factor in matches against strong opponents.
Although KT Rolster did not qualify for the 2024 World Championship, the updated roster and motivation of key players give reason to believe that the team can surprise opponents and fans in the next season.
Thanks to the synergy between Bdd and Cuzz, along with support from other players, KT Rolster could become a serious contender for high placements in LCK 2025, despite previous setbacks.
Worth Watching
Siwoo, a 17-year-old talent, was promoted from the Dplus KIA Challengers team after impressive performances in LCK CL, where he secured second place in both splits and achieved 70 solo kills, highlighting his potential to become one of the league's leading players.
BeryL, a two-time world champion, returns to Dplus KIA after a year with KT Rolster. He was a key player in securing the team's first Worlds title in 2020 and triumphed again with DRX in 2022. His experience and leadership qualities should be a significant factor in Dplus KIA's pursuit to return to the top.
At the 2024 World Championship, Dplus KIA faced disappointment by failing to advance to the playoffs despite a promising 2:0 start. This underwhelming performance highlighted the need for changes in the team's roster and strategy.
With a renewed lineup featuring Siwoo and BeryL, Dplus KIA aims to restore their competitiveness in the LCK and on the international stage, hoping for better results in future tournaments.
The LCK Cup 2025 will take place from January 15 to February 23 at LoL Park, Seoul, South Korea. Teams will compete for the title of the first champion of the season and to secure a spot in the year's first international tournament, First Stand 2025.
The main goal of the tournament is to showcase the updated team rosters following the off-season transfers and determine the best representative of LCK for the year's first global competition.
Follow the news, schedule, and results of the tournament via this link.
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