In a thrilling announcement, Riot Games has unveiled the lineup of players set to participate in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) 2026 Season Opening. This eagerly anticipated event will showcase top-tier talent in a celebratory exhibition match, marking the beginning of a new competitive season in Seoul, South Korea.
Five elite teams will compete on January 9th, beginning at 6 PM KST (9 AM GMT), featuring star players from renowned organizations like T1, Gen.G Esports, and Hanwha Life Esports.
Exciting Lineup for the Season Opening
The Season Opening serves as an exciting precursor to the LCK season, with players drafted into mixed teams based on their roles. These teams are formed with a blend of talent and led by designated captains, adding a thrilling dynamic to the matches.
Participants are drawn from a variety of esteemed League of Legends organizations, including the reigning Worlds 2025 champion T1. Other notable teams contributing to this star-studded lineup are Gen.G Esports, KT Rolster, and many more.
Meet the Competing Teams
Each team at the 2026 LCK Season Opening represents a different game role, promising a diverse and engaging showcase of skills.
Team TOP
Led by Choi ‘Zeus’ Woo-je from HWE, Team TOP includes Gen.G’s Kim ‘Kiin’ Ki-in among other notable players. Kiin stands out as the only team member who participated in the 2025 LCK Season Opening, where his team came close to victory.
Team JGL
Team JGL, focusing on junglers, is captained by T1’s Mun ‘Oner’ Hyeon-jun. With a strong lineup featuring players like HWE’s Seo ‘Kanavi’ Jin-hyeok and KT Rolster’s Mun ‘Cuzz’ U-chan, this team is poised to deliver a high-energy performance.
Team MID
Defending their title from 2025, Team MID is led by the legendary T1 mid-laner Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok. He is joined by skilled players such as Dplus’ Heo ‘ShowMaker’ Su and Gen.G’s Jeong ‘Chovy’ Ji-hoon, ready to showcase their mastery once more.
Team BOT
Park ‘Ruler’ Jae-hyuk of Gen.G takes the helm for Team BOT, complemented by talents like T1’s Kim ‘Peyz’ Su-hwan. Returning from last year’s lineup, Park ‘Teddy’ Jin-seong adds seasoned expertise to the team.
Team SUP
Team SUP, focusing on support players, is guided by T1’s Ryu ‘Keria’ Min-seok. This team includes KT Rolster’s Jang ‘Ghost’ Yong-jun and HWE’s Yu ‘Delight’ Hwan-jung, both bringing experience from the previous season’s showmatch.