What's at stake

A win in this Best-of-3 gives one team an early points boost in the LCK Challengers League standings and improves playoff seeding odds.

Match results also shape coaching decisions and player evaluation; standout performances can accelerate promotions to senior rosters or change lineups for later rounds.

Who's in play

BNK FearX Youth and Nongshim Esports Academy bring academy rosters that mix rookies with experienced Challenger-level players.

Starting junglers and mid-laners, plus each team's coaching staff, will largely determine tempo; any surprise substitute or tactical pivot can flip a map quickly.

What drives it

Draft composition and jungle pathing often decide these games more than individual mechanical outplays; priority picks and level-one plays set early tempo.

Patch balance, objective timings, vision control, and mid-game rotations dictate whether a team snowballs leads or the match resets into late-game macro battles.

What to watch

Game 1's draft, the first ten-minute gold differential, and early dragon fights will signal which side is executing its strategy.

Also track substitution notices, coach timeout usage, post-20-minute Baron control, and whether maps close fast or trend toward extended macro decisions.