The League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) is making a historic move in 2026, as it will make its first-ever international event by hosting its premier offseason tournament, the LCK Cup Finals, in Hong Kong. The final matches, including the lower bracket final and grand final, will take place at the newly constructed Kai Tak Arena from February 28 to March 1, indicating a clear signal that the league is eager to reach out to the Asian fan base beyond Korea.
Since its inception, every single LCK competition has been held within the domestic territory, making the 2026 LCK Cup Finals the first major international outing for the league. According to Riot Games and LCK representatives, this is a deliberate move to “expand touchpoints” with international fans, as Hong Kong is conveniently located to attract fans from mainland China, Southeast Asia, and other regions. The finalists will also earn spots for the new international tournament, First Stand 2026.
The finals will be held at Kai Tak Arena within the Kai Tak Sports Park, an indoor sports facility that opened in 2025 with more than 10,000 seats and a sports and entertainment-focused design. The event has received “M Mark” mega-event status from the local authorities, symbolizing the efforts of Hong Kong to establish itself as a prime destination for regional-scale esports and entertainment events. For LCK, the presence of modern sports infrastructure and transportation connectivity was a major factor in selecting Hong Kong as the destination, following what the organizers describe as a thorough assessment of the location.
The LCK Cup 2026 marks the start of the league’s new season, with group and playoff rounds reducing the number of teams to six before the Hong Kong finals weekend. Through this move, LCK seeks to leverage its already enormous presence in the region to build on its online success and lay the groundwork for future international destinations.