LCK returning to action next week after coronavirus shutdown

The 2020 LCK Spring Split is officially returning on March 25.

After a 19-day hiatus, the LCK is resuming the season in an online format. Earlier this week, it was reported that the LCK was planning on returning by the end of March. Riot Games Korea confirmed that the league is coming back on March 25.

The schedule for the season was modified to make up for the lost time. The season will continue with three best-of-three series per day from Wednesday through Saturday, as well as Monday. The broadcast will start at 3 p.m. Korea time, or 2 a.m. CT. Once a series is over, the next one will start right away without any break.

Each team will play two series per week. Following this schedule, the regular season is expected to end on April 16 with playoffs starting the following week. Teams will compete over the internet from their headquardters, just the necessary staff for the broadcast operating at LoL Park.

Gen.G atop the LCK standings, followed by DragonX and T1

19 days is long enough to forget what happened the last time the LCK was live. Gen.G is at the top of the standings looking stronger by the day. Kim “Clid” Tae-min and Gwak “Bdd” Bo-seong are arguably the best jungle-mid duo in the world.

Right on Gen.G’s heels are DragonX and T1. DragonX is finding success with its combination of rookies and veterans. The team is channeling the spirit of 2018 Griffin and rolling with experimental picks. T1 continues to dominate the competition and is the only team to defeat Gen.G so far in the season.

Afreeca Freecs is the final team in the elite four. After winning the 2019 KeSPA Cup, people expected Afreeca to take over the LCK. That didn’t happen and the team is now sitting in fourth place.

If playoffs started tomorrow, Damwon Gaming would be playing the Wildcard match. Damwon is suffering from the loss of its head coach, Kim “Kim” Jeong-soo but has still picked up enough wins to stay in the playoff hunt.

KT Rolster recovered from its chaotic start to the season, and has begun climbing the standings. Hanwha Life Esports is very hot and cold. It can look like the greatest team in the world in one series, and look horrible the next. For reasons that no one understands, Sandbox Gaming has imploded. Despite keeping its strong 2019 roster together, the team has struggled in 2020.

At the bottom, APK Prince and Griffin are at risk of going through relegations. APK Prince just look happy to be included in the LCK, and seem to be simply enjoying the experience rather than looking to shake up the league. Griffin has a highly skilled roster, but is struggling to have them unite into a strong team.

Griffin and Gen.G are playing the first game on March 25.