Riot Games is hosting an international show match for Teamfight Tactics (TFT). The 'TFT Korea Invitational' will take place on the 8th at 2:00 PM at Sounds Forest, located on the 5th floor of The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido. Eight players will compete in total, with two representatives each from South Korea, Japan, China, and Vietnam.

TFT is a game launched by Riot Games in 2019. It was first released as a PC version within the League of Legends client, and the mobile version was released for free on Google Play and the App Store in March 2020. The mobile version surpassed 1 million domestic downloads within three days of its release, and as of 2026, mobile users account for over 50% of the player base. Riot Games reported 300 million global users as of the first half of 2026.

TFT esports has aimed for a tournament structure where anyone can excel, under the slogan 'Couch to Crown.' During a single set, the path begins with domestic tournaments, moves through regional qualifiers, and leads to the 'Tactician's Crown,' where the world champion is determined.

The first stage, 'Tactician's Trials,' involves 256 players who earned spots through rank placement and sub-regional APAC tournaments. The top 64 players from each region advance to regional finals, competing over six days across two weekends. As of Set 17, the top seven players from each region advance to the Tactician's Crown. Forty players from four regions—APAC, China, the Americas, and Europe—compete in the Crown for a total prize pool of $470k (approximately ₩660 million) over three days.

On the 8th, two players from each of the four countries will compete. Representing South Korea are Park 'Seoil' Chan-seo and Kim 'Steelo of Bora' Ju-han, while China is represented by Gou 'Huanmie' Xin and 'LiTuChuan.' Japan's representatives are 'Title' and 'Summertimer,' and Vietnam's are 'YBY1' and 'MidFeed.' Riot Games described the event as a battle of national pride.

The event on the 8th organizes individual competitors into national teams. Representing South Korea are Park 'Seoil' Chan-seo and Kim 'Steelo of Bora' Ju-han, while China is represented by Gou 'Huanmie' Xin and 'LiTuChuan.' Japan's representatives are 'Title' and 'Summertimer,' and Vietnam's are 'YBY1' and 'MidFeed.' Riot Games described the event as a battle of national pride.

'Huanmie' is the current world champion and a player Kim Ju-han has faced on the biggest stage. Riot Games highlighted Kim as a prime example of a player who rose from an ordinary competitor to the Crown stage, embodying the company's vision. The two will face each other again in Seoul.

Park Chan-seo's path began from a different direction. This year, he became the first Korean to win the first week of the 'Pro Circuit Star-Gazer Cup.' The Pro Circuit invites only the top 32 players from each region based on their performance in the previous set, and cup winners skip the qualifiers to head straight to the Crown stage.

Japan's 'Title' is a two-time Tactician's Crown winner, and Vietnam's 'YBY1' is a player who has driven the popularity of TFT in their home country. The only Korean player to reach the top of the world stage is Jung '808' In-jae, who won the 'TFT Fates World Championship' in 2021, the predecessor to the Tactician's Crown. While the door is open to everyone, few domestic players have made it all the way through.

In May, TFT was selected as a demonstration esports event by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, becoming Riot Games' third official domestic tournament title following League of Legends and Valorant. It has also been named an official event at the Esports World Cup for three consecutive years.

At the end of the year, the 'TFT Vegas Open' will be held in Las Vegas with 1024 participants. Following events in Las Vegas, Macau, and Paris—where over 750 people gathered last December—this will be the largest scale yet. This year, it will be co-hosted as a 'Plaza Festival' alongside the physical TCG 'Riftbound.' The event in Seoul on the 8th serves as a bridge between these major tournaments.

The 'TFT Wild Fanfest,' where the tournament is held, will continue until the 17th. In the experience zone on the same floor, visitors can try out the new set, 'Mystic Forest,' before its official release, and artist performances are scheduled for the 9th and 17th.