We are just days away from the start of the 2025 LEC Winter Split and fans could not be more excited to see their favourite EMEA teams in action. For EU fans, they have been accustomed to the three-split format for some time, but now they will be playing on the same schedule as the rest of the world which is more in line with the 2025 global LoL esports changes.
After cries out for format changes, the decision makers have granted fans their wish with an updated format that should bring entertaining games and exciting storylines as we begin the march toward the first international event of the year.
Let's take a preview of the 2025 LEC Winter Split, including the format, participating teams, prize pool, and more.
LEC 2025 Winter Split Format
Although the every other major region is starting out with best-of-threes, the LEC is taking a different point. It'll be interesting to see if the Winter Split regular season format stays the same for 2026 and beyond. For the LEC 2025 Winter Split, the ten teams will compete in a single round robin with every match being a best-of-one. What makes this an interesting choice is that other leagues are starting the new global standard for the opening split which is fearless drafting. Which is where when a champion is picked in a best-of-series, that champion is banned for the rest of the series.
This means that the LEC teams are going to be getting less on-stage practice straight off the bat as they are going to be playing three weeks' worth of best-of-ones. Nevertheless, the top eight teams from the single round-robin advance to the playoffs.
Although the LEC teams get best-of-ones to kick off the year, they're rewarded with more fearless draft best-of-five action. The eight teams that qualified will compete in a double-elimination bracket. Rounds one and two will be best-of-three while the remainder of the bracket will be best-of-five. This will give fans an early look into how best-of-five hard fearless drafts will work. The winner of the playoffs will get the chance to represent the region at the first international event of the year known as First Stand.
Which teams are competing in the LEC 2025 Winter Split?
There are ten teams competing in the 2025 LEC Winter Split. And while other leagues have been shortenning their roster of teams, the LEC has stood form and kept all ten teams for the upcoming League of Legends season. Here are the ten teams that will be competing in the LEC 2025 Winter Split.
Who are the LEC 2025 Winter favorites?
Right now, most of the community has two teams in mind when it comes to competing for the title in the opening split of the season and those two teams are G2 and Fnatic. For obvious reasons, G2 is still the kings of Europe and while their international results may not be at the peak they once was a few years ago, on their day they can beat anyone. Even with the poor showings on the international stage, G2 has still been by far and away the most clutch team in the league when it matters the most. Their overall performances have not been great, but that hasn't stopped them from sweeping the region last year, winning all four championships.
Fnatic made some major roster changes coming into the new season, in comes a new bot lane of Upset and MikyX. Starting with Upset, it'll be interesting to see if he can return to form after multiple places near the bottom of the standings. On his day, Upset can rise to the occasion and compete with the best in the region, but we have also seen the worst side of Upset that has been playing over the past season or two. MikyX is a great addition to Fnatic and gives him more opportunities to rack up more LEC titles. MikyX is a great leader and will help out with the late game shotcalling, something the team struggled with last season.
Which team is a dark horse?
I think there is only one place to look for a darkhorse in this region and that is the loud and crazy Karmine Corp. They are going to have the support both on and off the rift, and it's time to see if they can propel themselves into championship contention after a pretty poor 2024 campaign. KC returns with a brand new roster, starting with the jungler Yike, who joins after leaving G2 after Worlds last year. Yike is on a mission to redefine himself as a player, and having a group of young players will give himself the platform to do just that. And of course, the future star of the LEC, Kaliste. The young rookie ADC was the talk of the town in the offseason with teams vying for his signature. Karmine Corp stood firm and was able to keep hold of him and put him in with a team that is expected to push G2 and Fnatic all the way.
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