LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea)
Overview
LCK (League of Legends Champions Korea) is the professional League of Legends league in South Korea, organized by Riot Games. It began as 'LoL Champions' in 2012 and has been operating under its current name since 2015. It is regarded as one of the most prestigious leagues among esports fans in Korea and worldwide. LCK is known for producing outstanding teamwork, strategic depth, and world-class players, holding an overwhelming number of championship titles at the League of Legends World Championship (Worlds).
Main Content
History and Development
The predecessor of LCK was the 'LoL Champions' tournament, held from 2012 to 2014. Initially operated with online qualifiers and offline finals, it transitioned to a league format in 2015 and officially adopted the name 'LCK'. From 2015 to 2019, it was a round-robin league with 10 participating teams. In 2020, a franchise system was introduced, with 10 fixed teams participating permanently. This was a significant turning point for the league's stability and long-term development.
League Structure
LCK operates with a Spring Season and a Summer Season. Each season consists of a regular season and playoffs. The regular season features 10 teams playing a total of 18 matches in a double round-robin format. Based on regular season standings, the top 6 teams advance to the playoffs, which are conducted in a tournament format to determine the final champion. The Spring Season champion qualifies for the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), while the Summer Season champion and top point-earning teams earn spots at Worlds.
Major Teams and Players
LCK has produced numerous legendary teams and players. T1 (formerly SKT T1) has established itself as an iconic LCK team with three Worlds championships (2013, 2015, 2016), and 'Faker' (Lee Sang-hyeok) is one of the most famous esports players worldwide. Gen.G (formerly Samsung Galaxy) won Worlds in 2014 and 2017, while DWG KIA (formerly Damwon Gaming) emerged as a new powerhouse by winning Worlds in 2020. Other major teams include DRX, KT Rolster, and Hanwha Life Esports.
Match Format and Rules
LCK matches are based on League of Legends, a 5v5 team-based real-time strategy game. Each match proceeds through a ban-pick phase. The regular season uses a best-of-three (BO3) format, while playoffs and finals use a best-of-five (BO5) format. Since 2023, a secondary league called LCK Challengers League (LCK CL) has been introduced, strengthening the system for discovering prospects and developing players.
Global Status
LCK is considered the most successful regional league, with a record 8 Worlds championships (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023). Notably, from 2015 to 2017, the Worlds finals were held as all-LCK matchups for three consecutive years, demonstrating overwhelming dominance. This success is attributed to Korea's systematic training systems, excellent infrastructure, and high player competitiveness.
Latest Trends
As of 2024 and 2025, LCK is undergoing several changes. In 2024, the franchise system became more stable, and league expansion has been discussed starting in 2025. Additionally, LCK teams once again proved their global competitiveness by winning the 2024 Worlds. In particular, T1 achieved consecutive Worlds championships in 2023 and 2024, continuing 'Faker's era of dominance. In 2025, the activation of the LCK Challengers League has highlighted the rise of rookie players, with a generational shift underway. Furthermore, Riot Games is expanding broadcast language diversification and digital platform investments to increase LCK's global viewership.
Related Topics
- [[League of Legends World Championship]]
- [[T1 (esports)]]
- [[Faker (pro gamer)]]