T1’s Early Exit from LCK Cup Sparks Format Controversy
League of Legends community is in uproar following T1’s unexpected elimination from the LCK Cup, preventing the back-to-back World Champions from attending 2025’s inaugural First Stand international tournament.
Newly implemented LCK Cup format, designed to streamline the Winter season to accommodate this year’s packed international schedule, has come under intense scrutiny. The tournament structure divided the ten LCK teams into two groups, with teams playing best-of-three matches against opponents from the opposite group. Scoring system awarded points based on match performance, with teams able to earn up to two points for a clean sweep or lose two points for being swept.
The controversy stems from the tournament’s group allocation system. Despite strong performances, T1 found themselves in what proved to be the more challenging group. This positioning ultimately forced them into an early elimination match against Hanwha Life Esports in the lower bracket, a confrontation many feel came far too early in the tournament given both teams’ caliber.
Adding to the drama
Adding to the drama was the matchup against former T1 top laner Zeus, who had controversially joined Hanwha Life Esports during the off-season. His standout performance proved crucial in eliminating his former team.
The competitive community has been vocal in their criticism. H2K founder Rich took to social media, declaring it “the worst and most unfair format I have seen in the history of esports.” Content creator Feviknight highlighted another concerning aspect: T1 now faces a two-month competitive hiatus until their next opportunity to play.
The situation has raised serious questions about competitive integrity. As the format effectively eliminated one of the region’s strongest teams based largely on group placement rather than overall performance. For fans of League of Legends esports, the absence of Faker and T1 from First Stand represents a significant disappointment, especially considering their recent dominance at Worlds.
The controversy has sparked broader discussions about tournament format design in esports and the balance between scheduling efficiency and competitive fairness. As the LCK moves forward, many are calling for a reevaluation of the system to prevent similar situations in future tournaments.
