LCK Cup 2026 Week 3 Schedule and Week 2 - Results

The second week of LCK Cup 2026 has concluded, and there are many important moments to analyze. Ten of Korea's strongest teams continue to compete in the world's most competitive region, fighting for the title and the right to compete at First Stand 2026. In this article, we will summarize the past matches, highlight the main performances, and discuss what awaits us in the upcoming final week of the group stage.

Week Three: LCK Cup 2026 Schedule

Week 3 takes place from January 28 to February 1 and will feature a total of 5 matches:

The LCK Cup 2026 Group Stage (Group Battle) takes place from January 14 to February 1. At this stage, ten of Korea's strongest teams are divided into two groups: Group Baron and Group Elder. During this phase, each collective has already competed against opponents from the opposite group in a single round-robin format.

The first two weeks of competition have concluded, and we are now moving into the third week, known as Super Week. Based on the results of past matches, Gen.G and T1 lead Group Baron, having not lost a single series (4-0). In Group Elder, Dplus KIA holds first place (3-1), followed by BNK FOX and Hanwha Life Esports.

During this decisive week, teams will face opponents from their own group. All matches will be played in a best-of-five (Bo5) format using the Fearless Draft system, and the value of each victory will increase to two points. Based on these results, it will be determined which group is designated the Winner Group and which becomes the Loser Group, directly affecting the teams' starting positions in the subsequent stages of the tournament.

To make the format easier to follow, we have prepared a dedicated resource - the LCK Cup 2026 Viewer Guide. In this guide, I break down every stage of the championship, explain the match rules, and introduce the participating teams.

LCK Cup 2026 Week 3 Matches You Shouldn't Miss

Since this week is truly decisive and determines who advances to the playoffs and who must still play in the play-ins, the teams will be giving it their all. The Bo5 format and the increased points per victory can significantly shift the standings, which may greatly impact the seeding.

The matchup between Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports is expected to be the most interesting. Both teams can safely be called top 1-4 in the region. Although Gen.G is once again on an incredible run with 4 wins and not a single map dropped, HLE is capable of providing strong competition in this match. If you have been following HLE's games, you might have noticed that despite their star-studded roster, the team currently faces minor gameplay difficulties that they are actively addressing. Therefore, LoL esports fans should not miss this match.

The second key match is, of course, T1 versus Dplus KIA. T1 also holds a 4-0 match record, but they played some of their series with a 2-1 map score, which places them in the second position in Group Baron. Dplus KIA, in turn, has also shown excellent results and stands as a very dangerous opponent for T1. Their only defeat came at the hands of Gen.G. Meanwhile, T1 has delivered very strong games, demonstrating they can play fast and aggressive as the frontrunner, as well as execute comebacks against massive deficits of over 15,000 gold.

The third match worth highlighting is Nongshim RedForce vs FEARX. NS has managed to assemble a very strong and interesting roster that can peak at any moment and compete with top teams both in the LCK and other leagues. FEARX has been a pleasure to watch this season. Compared to last year, the team has done a lot of work and looked confident against all opponents they faced in the group stage. Overall, they had a very good showing in their match against T1, where just a couple of minor mistakes led to a tough loss. If they can play at that same level against NS, they appear to be the favorites in this matchup.

LCK Cup 2026 Week 2 Results

Credit: X@LCK

Reviewing the previous week, it is impossible not to highlight the flawless performance of Gen.G, who currently look incredibly strong, just as they did last season. Apparently, their defeat at Worlds 2025 did not break them at all, but rather made them even more hungry and aggressive for victories. It is highly likely that we might finally see the Golden Road from them this year. They finished the week 4-0 in the group without losing a single map, securing the top spot.

T1, despite usually starting the season slowly and peaking closer to Worlds, look more aggressive and play at a higher tempo this season following their ADC substitution. This change in style helped them start the season actively, but questions remain about whether they can maintain their positions and what kind of competition they can offer Gen.G. They also hold a 4-0 record, taking second place in the group due to several matches won with a 2-1 score.

HLE have significantly stepped up and improved their stats by winning two matches. However, the opponents they defeated were not the strongest, which hints at certain lingering issues in their gameplay. They secured victories against BNK FOX and BRION, who currently occupy the bottom spots in Group Baron. BNK FOX holds a 1-3 record, while BRION sits at 0-4.

In Group Elder, the teams are more or less even, with Dplus KIA holding the most successful result at 3-1. Meanwhile, three teams - FEARX, Hanwha Life Esports, and KT Rolster - occupy the middle of the group with 2-2 records after the second week. DRX is in last place with a 1-3 score, which is not the worst result across the two groups.

LCK Cup 2026 Details

The LCK Cup 2026 takes place from January 14 to March 1. This season, the tournament format is focused on selecting regional representatives for First Stand (FST) 2026. Only the top two teams based on the results of all championship stages will receive direct invites to this international event.

Throughout the entire tournament - from the group stage to the playoff finals - matches are played in the Fearless Draft format. This innovation requires teams to have an extensive champion pool and a high level of strategic preparation in Bo3 and Bo5 series.

Following roster changes and the off-season break, the level of competition has increased significantly. Fans can expect exciting matchups and a struggle for the right to represent the region on the international stage. Follow the matches and support your favorite teams on their journey to the LCK Cup 2026 finals.