The LCK finals will be broadcasted live on national TV in South Korea. MBC, one of the country's national broadcasters, will air the LCK finals on September 28th from the Incheon Inspire Arena, marking the first time the event will appear on national TV.
This will also be the first national TV broadcast of a
League of Legends esports tournament since the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, when KBS, through its online platform, and SBS aired select matches.
The LCK aims for a wider audience
The live coverage will begin at 2:00 PM KST, a prime Sunday slot that MBC typically reserves for major sporting events like the KBO League â the most important baseball league in South Korea. Earning this time reflects the growing recognition of LoL esports as a legitimate and valuable form of sports content.
As
reported by reporter Kim Yong-Woo, LCK Secretary General Lee Jung-hoon lauded the decision: â
The LCK has long been pursuing national TV broadcasting to reach more fans and enhance the competitiveness of its content, and MBCâs decision to live-stream the LCK finals has borne fruit. We hope that the LCK finals, which will be broadcast live for the first time on MBC, will become an opportunity to spread the word about LoL esports and connect with more generations.â
Ahn Hee-nam, head of MBCâs sports planning business team, added that âThe LCK has established itself as a globally recognized sports content. Through this live broadcast of the finals, MBC will promote the appeal of the LCK that transcends generations and cultures and provide viewers with a new experience.â
T1 already played two LCK series at the Inspire Arena in July as a part of the T1 Home Ground event. Sources: T1.
The Inspire Arena, venue for both the LCK finals and losersâ finals, can host 14,000 spectators and
recently became T1's "Home Ground" arena. Currently, Gen.G Esports, Hanwha Life Esports, and T1 have locked their spots in the playoffs, with Gen.G being the first to secure a direct berth in the second round. All elements are here to make this year's Grand Finals one of the most-watched in the history of the LCK, especially if T1 and Gen.G gift fans another spectacular best-of-five. According to esportscharts, four out of the five most-watched LCK series this year were matches between the two LCK powerhouses.
Header Photo Credit: Daily Esports
