Nongshim RedForce defeated HLE Challengers 2-1 in their 2026 League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) regular season Round 1 match held at LoL PARK in Jongno on the 19th. Although HLE Challengers entered the match with a 1-4 record, the series was far from easy, with the final third set proving to be a fierce, hard-fought battle.

Hanjin Brion drew first blood at the 9-minute mark when 'Casting's' Sion and 'Gideon's' Nocturne dove the top lane to take down 'Kingen's' Jayce. Nongshim attempted a simultaneous dive in the bottom lane, resulting in a trade between 'Namgung's' Neeko and 'Lehends'' Lulu.

Hanjin Brion later won a skirmish centered around 'Teddy's' Ezreal, and 'Rookie's' Aurora secured a triple kill during a Herald fight, leading them to a teamfight victory. They followed this up by winning a subsequent mid-lane skirmish. Shortly after, Sion initiated another teamfight in the mid lane; Aurora picked up a double kill, and the team moved to take Baron. However, 'Scout's' LeBlanc persistently harassed them, and while Nongshim conceded the Baron, they managed to secure multiple kills in the exchange.

Hanjin Brion's push with the Baron buff was thwarted, and by the 35-minute mark, the gold difference was negligible, turning the game into a situation where a single teamfight would decide the outcome. Despite being at a disadvantage, Nongshim fought back well, but Hanjin Brion ultimately won the final teamfight to take the first set.

In the second set, Nongshim recorded the first kill by catching 'Rookie's' Ryze in the mid lane. Hanjin Brion responded in the bottom lane when 'Teddy's' Jhin used his ultimate to take down 'Lehends'' Bard, evening the score at 1-1, with 'Gideon's' Lee Sin following up with strong plays to gain further points.

Nongshim began their comeback starting with a dragon fight. After winning the teamfight, they secured three dragon stacks to take control of the game. Nongshim used Azir as a vanguard to take the dragon solo. In response, Brion made a bold move to take Baron, but Nongshim secured the dragon, won the ensuing teamfight, and claimed the Baron as well, destroying the Nexus at 33 minutes to tie the series 1-1.

The final third set remained tense, with constant skirmishes breaking out in the top and bottom lanes. The balance shifted during the next dragon teamfight. As both teams contested the dragon, the situation suddenly erupted into a teamfight where Hanjin Brion held a superior formation, taking down four members of Nongshim, excluding Ambessa.

Despite this, there was no significant power gap. Gold remained even, and Nongshim actually led Hanjin Brion in macro play, securing three dragon stacks and winning a major teamfight to take Baron. As Nongshim continued their offensive, they secured the Dragon Soul and pressured Brion, but Brion held their ground.

The Elder Dragon spawn approached. During the standoff, 'Sponge's' Vi made a bold engage, and Nongshim ultimately swept the teamfight 5-0, destroying Hanjin Brion's Nexus to secure a 2-1 victory.