LCK CL, Playoff Stage for Rising Stars Kicks Off on the 31st

The 2026 LCK Challengers League (LCK CL) enters the playoffs today, August 31. , , , and secured playoff berths through the regular season, while and claimed the remaining spots via the Play-In stage.

KT, the 3rd place in regular season, faces KRX, where Ha "Vincenzo" Seung-min is substituting as the bot laner. , who is filling a roster gap created under LCK regulations, showcased a wide bot lane champion pool and secured a win in the Play-In stage; however, he now faces Park "" Kang-jun, who previously secured a match win against Hanwha Life Esports in the LCK.

The two teams have not faced each other recently due to being in different groups, but Kiwoom DRX won both matches against KT in regular rounds 1-2. KT had established itself as the strongest CL team over the past two years, but forced to rebuild their roster following the transfers of key players, including Yoo "" Baek-jin. Meanwhile, KRX will field Vincenzo, while Lee "" Min-hoe, who competed in the top-tier LCK during regular rounds 3-4, will also play in the CL in accordance with rulebook.

Nongshim Esports Academy, the champion of the 2026 LCK CL Kickoff, will face DN SOOPers Challengers, who advanced after winning Round 1 of the Play-In stage. They recorded 3 wins, 5 losses and 2 wins, 6 losses respectively in the Challenge Group and now they are aiming to rebound from their slump with a playoff victory. Their head-to-head record is also tied at 2-2.

Players with Tier 1 Tournaments experience, including Song "" Kyeong-jin and Son "" Jeong-hwan, are set to start. The matchup between Han "" Jeong-heum, who got POM in the previous match, and Eom "" Ye-jun, who signed a mid-season contract extension, is also drawing attention.

The 2026 LCK CL Playoff matches will take place at WDG Studio Hongdae in Mapo-gu, Seoul.