2026 LCK CL Playoffs Begin with DN Super vs KT and DRX vs Nongshim
The 2026 LCK Challenger League playoffs kicked off on August 31 with the top four teams confirmed for their Round 1 matchups.
DN Super and KIWOOM DRX have advanced to the playoff bracket following a decisive Play-In tournament. In the Trial Group, DN Super secured the fifth seed by defeating KIWOOM DRX with a 3-1 scoreline. The match was highlighted by Han Jeong-hyeom ('Ranser'), who earned Player of the Match for his superior map control and decision-making that guided the team to victory despite dropping the third set.
BNK PeerEx claimed the sixth seed with a dominant 3-0 sweep over Hanwha Life eSports. The match showcased their consistent macro play and unwavering focus in team fights, preventing any comeback attempts from their opponents. This victory marked the end of the season for last year's champions, BNK PeerEx.
During the Play-In Finals on August 25, KIWOOM DRX defeated BNK PeerEx 3-1 to secure their spot in the playoffs. The match featured a standout performance from Ha Seung-min ('Vincenzo'), who recently switched roles and delivered strong results, while Choi Soo-hyuk ('Akaze') was named POM for his pentakill in the fourth set.
The playoff round will proceed under a best-of-five format. On August 31, the bracket featured matchups between KT Rolster and KIWOOM DRX, as well as Nongshim RedForce and DN Super. The losers of these Round 1 matches will face each other in a survival round on September 7, while the top seeds await their opponents on September 8.
T1 Esports Academy and Dplus KIA have already secured their spots as the first and second seeds of the Challenge Group respectively, advancing directly to the next stage without playing in the initial round.
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