The 2026 LCK Cup Playoffs are set to begin this week in Seoul, with six teams advancing into a double-elimination bracket following a volatile Play-In stage that reshaped expectations.

DN Freecs emerged as the Play-In’s breakout performer, securing a postseason berth with consecutive victories over KT Rolster and Nongshim RedForce. Their run included a dramatic comeback victory that quickly became one of the tournament’s defining moments, overturning a substantial gold deficit after losing all three inhibitors.

That surge now carries into a first-round matchup against BNK FearX, the Elder Group leaders. BNK FearX selected DN Freecs as their opening opponent after the Play-In concluded, setting up a rematch of their Super Week series, where FearX claimed a 3–1 win.

Riot Games announced that Week 1 of the playoffs will run from Thursday through Sunday at Chzzk LoL Park in Gran Seoul, Jongno-gu. All matches will be best-of-five under a double-elimination format.

Preview of the 2026 LCK Cup Playoffs

Attention is centered on whether DN Freecs’ Play-In momentum can translate into a deeper playoff run. While BNK FearX enter as favorites, DN Freecs’ recent performances have fueled speculation about a more competitive series.

FearX have built their identity around late-game execution, anchored by bot laner Diable (Nam Dae-geun), whose development has been a focal point throughout the tournament. Their consistency during group play secured direct qualification and positioned them as one of the bracket’s more stable contenders.

Elsewhere, DRX will face Dplus KIA in another high-profile first-round clash. Dplus KIA advanced with a 3–2 group-stage record, demonstrating strong form against most opponents despite a decisive Super Week loss to T1.

DRX, meanwhile, recovered from an uneven group stage by sweeping Nongshim RedForce in the Play-In decider. However, they enter the series burdened by a prolonged winless streak against Dplus KIA dating back to the 2022 Summer Split.

Gen.G and T1, the tournament’s top two seeds, await in Round 2. Gen.G will select one of the Round 1 winners, with T1 facing the remaining advancing team. The playoffs will continue across two weeks at LoL Park before culminating in the qualification final and Grand Final at Kai Tak Arena in Hong Kong. With established contenders and rising challengers converging, the postseason begins amid renewed scrutiny over whether recent surprises signal a broader shift in the LCK competitive landscape.