NS will face DK, while T1 take on HLE in the semifinals
Launched in 2015, the League of Legends KeSPA Cup is now celebrating its 10th year as a historic competition. But this year specifically, the KeSPA Cup carries more weight than ever. Results from the tournament will be used to assess players for potential selection to represent Korea at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Only players who compete in this event will be eligible for national team selection.
2025 LoL KeSPA Cup Day 1 Results. Credit: KeSPA Cup
The 2025 KeSPA Cup features 14 teams — all ten LCK squads, two overseas all-star teams (Japan and Vietnam), and two invited LCS teams (Cloud9 and Team Liquid). The event begins with a single round-robin group stage where every match is best-of-one; group winners move directly to the knockout stage, while runners-up enter a last-chance qualifier. In the case of a tie, the team with the faster average win time earns the higher seed. The last-chance qualifier and knockout rounds 1–2 are best-of-three, and the finals conclude with a best-of-five series.
Day 4 Results – Last Chance Qualifier
At the end of a unique day where the second-place teams from each group faced off in the Last Chance Qualifier for a spot in the knockout stage, it was Nongshim RedForce who came out on top. They now join HLE, DK, and T1, making the final stage of the competition an all-LCK affair.
- C9 1-2 NS
- DNF 0-2 C9
- NS 2-0 DNF
There was a clear balance of power between NS, C9, and DNF. Nongshim sent a strong message ahead of the 2026 season — they’re serious contenders and ready to shake things up.
However, the North Americans have nothing to be ashamed of. They leave the tournament having proven that the West can still challenge Korean teams, falling just one Nexus short of reaching the top 4. It’s a promising sign ahead of the LCS season and a small answer to those who often wonder how European and American teams would fare in the LCK standings.
Day 3 Results – Single Round
The group stage has concluded, and eight teams have already been eliminated. The three teams that topped their groups—HLE, DK, and T1—the only undefeated teams in the tournament—advance directly to the knockout stage, while the runners-up from each group move on to the Last Chance Qualifier. The LCQ will take place on Day 4, and only one among Cloud9, DN Freecs, and Nongshim RedForce will secure a spot in the knockout stage.
- 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)
- TL 0-1 T1 (MVP: Peyz)
- DRX 0-1 DNF (MVP: Enosh)
- JPN 0-1 TL (MVP: Quid)
- DK 1-0 KT (MVP: Smash)
Day 3 saw HLE obliterate Gen.G, who failed to win a single match in the tournament, but more importantly, C9 came out on top against BFX in the decider match for qualification. The other invited LCS team, Team Liquid, were crushed by T1 in just 21 minutes. Shin “Smash” Geum-jae also made a strong impression with DK, securing a pentakill against KT on his Lucian, finishing with a 13/2/7 scoreline in under 26 minutes of play.
Day 2 Results – Single Round
The second day confirmed the trends set on the first, with the groups starting to take shape. HLE remain undefeated, Gen.G suffered another loss to BFX, DK completely dominated their group with a third consecutive win, while T1 made a strong debut by crushing Japan’s All-Star team — led by Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun, who finished with a 12/3/7 score on his Pantheon.
- BFX 1-0 Gen.G (MVP: Raptor)
- KT 0-1 DRX (MVP: Vincenzo)
- DK 1-0 BRO (MVP: ShowMaker)
- VIE 0-1 C9 (MVP: APA)
- BRO 0-1 KT (MVP: FenRir)
- DRX 0-1 KT (MVP: ShowMaker)
- DNF 0-1 BRO (MVP: GIDEON)
- VIE 0-1 HLE (MVP: Delight)
- JPN 0-1 T1 (MVP: Peyz)
On the guest side, Liquid had no matches today, but Cloud9 continue to impress. After their win yesterday against Gen.G, they claimed another victory — this time over Vietnam’s All-Star team. With a 2-1 record, they’re now in a favorable position to qualify for the Last Chance Qualifier and play in the best-of-threes.
Day 1 Results – Single Round
- Cloud9 1-0 Gen.G (MVP: APA)
- OKSAVINGSBANK Brion 0-1 DRX (MVP: Ucal)
- Gen.G 0-1 Vietnam All-Stars (MVP: Seany)
- Hanwha Life Esports 1-0 Cloud9 (MVP: Kanavi)
- BNK FEARX 1-0 Vietnam All-Stars (MVP: VicLa)
- DN Freecs 0-1 Dplus KIA (MVP: Showmaker)
- Hanwha Life Esports 1-0 BNK FEARX (MVP: Zeus)
- KT Rolster 0-1 DN Freecs (MVP: Enosh)
- Nongshim RedForce 1-0 Team Liquid (MVP: Scout)
The biggest surprise came from Gen.G’s struggles. With Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon and Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk absent due to mandatory military training, Gen.G fielded Kim “Loid” Seong-woo and KIm “Harusary” Hyun) from its academy lineup—but suffered shocking back‑to‑back defeats against Cloud9 and the Vietnam All‑Stars, leaving them at the bottom of the group A.
Header Photo Credit: LCK/Riot Games
– Clément Chocat –
