2025 KeSPA Cup
The 2025 KeSPA Cup is one of the most prestigious activation and competitive tournaments in South Korea for League of Legends, organized by the Korean eSports Association (KeSPA). This tournament returned with one of the most exciting editions in late 2024 and early 2025, serving as the "first glimpse" and the official preview that reveals the major changes in LCK teams before the new season begins.
Format
🎮 Tournament Format & Progression
1. The Preliminary Round
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Group Distribution: The 14 participating teams are divided into 3 groups.
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Match Rules: Teams compete in a fast-paced Single Round-Robin format, where every single match is a high-stakes Best-of-1 (Bo1) showdown.
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Progression & Elimination:
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1st Place: The top team from each group advances directly to the Finals.
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2nd Place: The runner-up from each group drops into the Last Chance Qualifier.
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Remaining Teams: All other teams are immediately eliminated from the tournament.
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2. The Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ)
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Format: The 2nd-place teams from the preliminary round face off in a final Single Round-Robin bracket.
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Match Rules: The stakes increase as the series format scales up to a Best-of-3 (Bo3).
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Progression: Only the top single team from this bracket survives to claim the final spot in the Finals.
3. The Finals
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Bracket Structure: A brutal Double Elimination bracket consisting of the 4 qualifying teams, ensuring a second chance for teams that drop a series.
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Match Rules:
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Early Rounds: Standard matches are played as Best-of-3 (Bo3) series.
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Championship Series: The intensity peaks for the Upper Bracket Final, Lower Bracket Final, and the Grand Final, which are all upgraded to full Best-of-5 (Bo5) series.
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