LCK Cup Playoffs 2025: Round 1 Predictions, Schedule, Format, and More

After a roller coaster of a Group Stage, the LCK returns for the LCK Cup Playoffs. Starting February 12th, the Playoffs will see all six qualified teams compete for a chance to lift their first trophy of the year, as well as represent their region at First Stand, the new international tournament.

Let’s go ahead and take a look at everything we can expect from the 2025 LCK Cup Playoffs, from the format and schedule, to Round 1 predictions.

Credit: LCK

LCK Cup Playoffs Teams

• Dplus KIA
• Gen.G
• T1
• Hanwha Life Esports
• KT Rolster
• Nongshim RedForce

LCK Cup Playoffs Schedule and Format

The journey for the first LCK trophy of the year starts this Wednesday, February 12th with Round 1 of the playoffs, where the losers will be eliminated then and there. Here’s the schedule for the opening matches:

• KT Rolster vs Nongshim RedForce [Wednesday, February 12th – 9 am CET]
• T1 vs Hanwha Life Esports [Thursday, February 13th – 9 am CET]

Meanwhile, the top two seeds from the Group Stage, Dplus KIA and Gen.G, received a bye into the second round. Starting from Round 2, the four remaining teams will battle across a double elimination bracket, with all matches being best-of-5. The 2025 LCK Cup Champion will be crowned after the Grand Final takes place on Sunday, February 23rd.

Just like the Group Stage did, the LCK Cup Playoffs will feature the use of Fearless Draft, ensuring each new game in a series delivers fresh and exciting gameplay as players are pushed deep into their champion pools.

LCK Cup Playoffs: Round 1 Predictions

KT Rolster vs Nongshim RedForce: Building a project

While KT qualified for the Playoffs directly after their third place finish in their group, NS had to go through the Play-In Stage, where they became the last team to qualify. With players like Kingen or Lehends on the roster, NS look the strongest they have in a long time.

Unfortunately for them, however, KT not only have the stronger roster when all is said and done, but have also shown far better synergy in their games so far. While we don’t expect NS to go down without a fight, this matchup should go the way of KT Rolster in the end.

T1 vs Hanwha Life Esports: A champion will fall

T1 and HLE meet in Round 1 of the LCK Cup Playoffs in what could just as easily have been the finals. Not only that, but now Zeus will have to put it all on the line to try and eliminate the very teammates with which he won Worlds just months ago.

Even if bringing in Zeus looked like one of the biggest roster upgrades of the offseason, the truth is HLE have not looked nearly as strong as they did to close out last year's LCK season. T1, meanwhile, have shown great macro and teamplay on their way to winning their last five LCK series in a row, including taking down Gen.G.

Two of the strongest teams in the region, and possibly the world, will come into the match, but only one will be able to continue their journey towards First Stand, and we expect that to be T1.

Despite winning back-to-back World Championships alongside Faker, Zeus will now look to take down his former teammates. (Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games)

Where to watch the LCK Cup Playoffs?

With such high stakes on the line, you won't want to miss any of action at the LCK Cup Playoffs. You can tune in to watch all of the games live on the official Twitch and YouTube channels for the LCK, starting this Wednesday, February 12th.

Follow Strafe Esports for all the latest League news and our X account for the latest content and coverages. Also, stay tuned to Strafe YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured Image Credit: LCK

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