The much-awaited LCK Cup 2025 is scheduled to commence on January 15, 2025, heralding the start of this year’s League of Legends action in South Korea. Featuring a stellar lineup of ten teams, the competition promises fierce battles as they contend for dominance and a coveted spot in First Stand 2025, where they will compete alongside the top champions from the world’s premier regions.
Below are the outright odds from the best LoL betting sites.
| LCK Cup 2025 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen.G | +125 | +125 | +125 |
| Hanwha Life | +200 | +200 | +200 |
| T1 | +300 | +300 | +300 |
| Dplus Kia | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| KT Rolster | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| DN Freecs | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Nongshim RedForce | +4000 | +4000 | +4000 |
| DRX | +6000 | +6000 | +6000 |
| OKSavingsBank BRION | +8000 | +8000 | +8000 |
| BNK FearX | +10000 | +10000 | +10000 |
Odds are subject to change.
The tournament will feature a host of strong contenders, including renowned organizations like Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G, celebrated for their skilled lineups. Star players such as Viper and Ruler will surely deliver standout performances and drive their teams forward.
Meanwhile, underdogs such as DN Freecs and Nongshim RedForce add an element of unpredictability, with emerging talent that could lead to surprising outcomes. T1, despite undergoing transitions, continues to demonstrate unwavering determination, cementing their status as a team worth keeping a close eye on.
T1
Gen.G Esports
Hanhwa Life Esports
KT Rolster
Dplus KIA
DRX
BRION
Nongshim RedForce
FearX
Freecs
Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G are expected to lead the charge as the strongest contenders heading into the new season. Boasting exceptional players across all positions, these two teams are poised to dominate the LCK Cup. On the other hand, underdog squads like DN Freecs and Nongshim RedForce have the potential to cause surprises, bolstered by recent high-profile additions to their lineups. Meanwhile, T1 remains a perennial threat, renowned for thriving under the pressure of major tournaments. Although their 2024 LoL Worlds-winning roster has seen changes, the addition of Doran provides a promising boost to their lineup.
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Below is the format for the competition. First up is the Group Stage round-robin.
The 10 LCK teams will be split into two groups, Group Baron and Group Elder. The top two teams from LCK Summer 2024 – Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G Esports – will be placed in separate groups. Each team will compete in a single round-robin format, playing best-of-three (Bo3) matches against teams from the other group. The first group to achieve 13 wins will advance as the Winner Group. The other group will be designated as the Loser Group. At this stage, only one team will be eliminated based on a pre-determined scenario.
This stage will consist of the bottom two teams from the Winner Group and the top four teams from the Loser Group, competing in a double-elimination format. Upper Bracket Rounds 1 and 2 will follow a best-of-three (Bo3) format, while the Lower Bracket Finals will be played as best-of-five (Bo5). From this phase, only three teams will advance to the Playoffs.
The Playoffs will feature six teams: the top three from the Winner Group during the Group Stage and the top three from the Play-In Stage. The matches will follow a double-elimination format, with every game played as a best-of-five (Bo5).
As in the LCK Season Split bracket, the top two teams from the Winner Group will advance directly to Round 2, with the first seed gaining the advantage of selecting their opponent from the winners of Round 1. In the end, one team will claim victory and earn the honor of representing the LCK at the year’s first global League of Legends tournament, First Stand 2025.
Additionally, the LCK Cup 2025 will debut the Fearless Draft format, a groundbreaking feature for the tournament. Champions selected in one game will automatically be banned in the following game. As a result, by the fifth game of a best-of-five (Bo5) series, a total of 50 champions will be banned. This adds a strategic layer to team compositions and gameplay.
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