LoL: LCK and LCP will introduce Coach Comms in 2026

On September 11, Sheep Esports reported that Riot Games was exploring the possibility of coaches interacting with their teams during matches in 2026. On December 3, Riot Games officially confirmed it and provided more details. The LCK and LCP will be the first leagues to use a system allowing coaching staff to communicate directly with players in real-time during matches—the first time in League of Legends esports history.

Entitled Coach Comms, the feature will be piloted through the LCK Cup starting in January, as well as in the LCP's Split 1 launching January 16. It will enable coaching staff to issue tactical instructions to players mid-game, following the steps of other games like Counter-Strike and Rocket League, which allow timeouts between rounds/matches.

Teams can use Coach Comms up to three times per game. Each use lasts 45 seconds. They request it through approved equipment. The game does not pause. Teams pick one coach before the game starts. That coach sees only the team's vision. No enemy info is given. External communication is banned until the game ends. Teams can change the coach only after each game. The enemy team will not be notified when Coach Comms is activated.

Coach Comms is optional; teams decide whether they want to use it before the game loads. They cannot change it later. Coaches must stay in a set area after draft ends. They cannot return if they leave for any reason until the game finishes. Coaches can leave the area after using all three chances to join the rest of the coaching staff.