The LoL Championship Pacific is getting a format overhaul for next season.
The League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) is set to reshape the game's Asia-Pacific esports landscape in 2025. Bringing together top talent from across the region, the LCP will provide a fresh format, intense competitive stages, and a new promotion/relegation system that opens the door for aspiring teams to make their mark.
Before Season 2025 arrives, let’s dive into the details of how teams will navigate this robust structure to vie for regional glory and the ultimate chance to represent the Asia-Pacific on the global stage.
LCP 2025 Format Breakdown
The 2025 season will look a bit similar to how the VALORANT Champions Tour is stuctured, featuring three distinct splits: the Season Kickoff, the Midseason, and the Season Finals. Each split carries significant stakes, and the inaugural LCP champion will be crowned at the Season Finals.
Season Kickoff
The season begins with the LCP Season Kickoff, where eight teams clash in a single round-robin best-of-three (BO3) during the Regular Season.
The top six teams advance to the Qualifying Series to determine who will represent the LCP at the first international event of the year. Matches here intensify, with teams battling through BO3 and best-of-five (BO5) rounds.
To add excitement, Fearless Draft rules apply throughout the Season Kickoff. This draft style prohibits teams from selecting champions used in previous games within each best-of-series, pushing teams to diversify their strategies and compositions.
Mid Season
Following the international event, teams regroup for the Mid-Season split. Here, they aim to qualify for the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), with two spots available for LCP teams.
For the Regular Season, teams face each other in a double round-robin best-of-one (BO1) format to determine the top six contenders for the Qualifying Series.
As the stakes rise, the Qualifying Series moves into BO3 matches for Rounds 1 and 2, with BO5 rounds for the final matches. The top two teams from this stage secure their spots for MSI. Results from the Mid-Season will also affect the seeding in the Season Finals.
Season Finals
The competition reaches its peak with the LCP Season Finals after MSI. Here, teams are seeded based on mid-season results, with the winner not only crowned as the first-ever LCP champion but also securing one of three qualification slots for Worlds. Additionally, the second-best-performing MSI region will earn an extra Worlds slot, making it possible for the LCP to send up to three teams to the world championship.
Further format specifics for the Season Finals will be released as the split approaches.
Promotion and Relegation: Elevating Competitive Play
One of the most anticipated features of the LCP is the Promotion and Relegation (P&R) Tournament, a system designed to enhance competitive balance and encourage diversity. This tournament allows top-performing teams from domestic leagues across the Asia-Pacific region to earn a place in the LCP, with lower-ranked LCP teams defending their spots.
Key elements of the P&R Tournament include:
- Guest Team Accountability: Lower-placed Guest teams may face relegation, maintaining a high standard across the LCP.
- Domestic League Participation: High-ranking teams from leagues like PCS, VCS, and LJL can enter the P&R Tournament, challenging LCP teams for a spot.
- Wild Card Slots: Teams from regions such as Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia will have the chance to enter the LCP. Details on the wild card system will be announced soon.
This structure rewards performance and provides a pathway for up-and-coming teams, enriching the competitive landscape in the Asia-Pacific.
Tier 2 Leagues and Regional Expansion
In partnership with domestic leagues like PCS, VCS, and LJL, the LCP will include Tier 2 competitive circuits in 2025. Each partner league will release further details, adding new layers of competition across the Asia-Pacific ecosystem. Plans are also in motion for an OCE (Oceania) competitive circuit, providing another entry path into the LCP for the region’s rising stars.
LCP will reveal the official team lineup on 3 November at 12:00 am GMT+8 via social media channels, giving fans a first look at who will battle for the LCP crown in 2025.
With a new format, heightened competition, and expanded access for teams across the region, the LCP is set to be a game-changer for League of Legends esports in the Asia-Pacific. The journey to the top of the LCP promises to be an exhilarating one for fans and competitors alike.
