The 2025 League of Legends KeSPA Cup is currently showcasing thrilling matches that could influence the selection for the Korean national team at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This prestigious tournament, organized by KeSPA, marks its 10th anniversary and brings together top teams from the LCK along with international all-star squads.
2025 KeSPA Cup Overview
The tournament features 14 teams, including:
- 10 LCK teams
- Two all-star teams from Japan and Vietnam
- Two invited LCS teams, Cloud9 and Team Liquid
The competition initiates with a single round-robin group stage. Here, each match is a best-of-one format. Group winners progress directly to the knockout stage while the runners-up compete in a last-chance qualifier. In the event of a tie, teams are ranked based on their average match win time.
Match Format
- Group Stage: Best-of-one matches
- Last Chance Qualifier and Knockout Rounds 1–2: Best-of-three matches
- Finals: Best-of-five series
Key Match Highlights
Day 4: Last Chance Qualifier
Nongshim RedForce emerged victorious in the Last Chance Qualifier, joining HLE, DK, and T1 in the knockout stage. This final stage will feature an all-LCK lineup.
- C9 1-2 NS
- DNF 0-2 C9
- NS 2-0 DNF
Nongshim showcased their readiness for the upcoming season, indicating that they are serious contenders in the League of Legends scene.
Day 3: Group Stage Conclusion
The group stage came to an end, with three teams maintaining undefeated records: HLE, DK, and T1. The top performers directly advanced to the knockout stages, while FNC and DNF moved to the Last Chance Qualifier.
- T1 1-0 NS (MVP: Oner)
- Gen.G 0-1 HLE (MVP: Gumayusi)
- NS 1-0 JPN (MVP: Kingen)
- C9 1-0 BFX (MVP: APA)
Day 2: Emerging Trends
The second day reinforced the dominant positions of HLE and DK. T1 delivered a remarkable performance against Japan’s all-star team, with standout player Oner finishing with a 12/3/7 score.
Day 1: Surprises and Struggles
The opening day saw notable surprises, particularly with Gen.G’s challenging start. Absent key players due to military training, they struggled significantly, losing both of their initial matches.
- C9 1-0 Gen.G (MVP: APA)
- HLE 1-0 BNK FEARX (MVP: Zeus)
- NS 1-0 TL (MVP: Scout)
With thrilling matches and strategic gameplay, the 2025 KeSPA Cup continues to captivate League of Legends fans worldwide, as teams strive for glory and a chance to represent Korea in the coming Asian Games.
