The League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) has announced exciting changes for the 2023 season. In a move that has been long-awaited by fans, the LCK will be introducing a new double-elimination format for its Spring and Summer playoffs. This format will replace the single-elimination bracket that has been in place since the league’s inception in 2012.
LCK introduces new double elimination playoffs for 2023
The 2023 playoffs will consist of five rounds, with each round being played in a best-of-five format. Similar to the previous year, only six teams will qualify for the playoffs. The third seed will have the privilege of choosing their opponent from the fifth or sixth seed in the first round. The remaining team will then face off against the fourth seed.
Unlike previous years, the lower bracket will only be introduced in the third round, meaning that two teams will be eliminated in the first round. In the second round, the first seed will select their opponents from the winners of the first round matches. The winners of the second round will advance to the winner’s final, while the losing teams will drop to the lower bracket.
The upper bracket final will determine the first team to secure a spot in the grand final. The losing team from this match will then face the winner of the first lower bracket match in the lower bracket final. The winner of the lower bracket final will advance to the grand final, where they will compete against the winner of the upper bracket final for the championship trophy.
The implementation of the double-elimination playoffs format brings the LCK in line with other major regions, as the LEC and LCS introduced this format in 2020, followed by the LPL a year later.
The league will also be testing out integrated rosters
In addition to the playoffs format change, the LCK and its developmental league will be operating integrated rosters for the 2023 season. This means that teams will have the opportunity to rotate between 11 to 20 players under one head coach. This move eliminates the need for teams to announce in-team roster changes, allowing for greater flexibility.
Teams will now be required to pay a minimum annual salary of KR₩ 60 million (US$44,000) to at least five of their LCK players and KR₩ 20 million (US$15,000) to the rest of the roster, who are CL players. This change aims to ensure fair compensation for players in both leagues.
Furthermore, the LCK CL will be lowering the participation age from 16 to 15, allowing younger prospects to participate in official matches. The developmental league will also adopt the LCK competitive format, which includes a double round-robin split with best-of-three matches and double-elimination playoffs with best-of-five matches.
These changes demonstrate the LCK’s commitment to evolving and improving the league and its ecosystem. With the introduction of the double-elimination playoffs format and the integration of rosters, fans can expect an even more competitive and exciting season in 2023.
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