LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Tournament Preview & Guide – Hanwha Life Esports, Gen.G, or T1?
The LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4, starting July 29, mark the final and most crucial leg for Korean League of Legends teams, paving the way to Worlds. The tournament’s unique format continues with group seeds based on prior results, featuring a double round-robin and high-stakes playoffs. Hanwha Life Esports enter as clear favorites after a stellar year, closely followed by historically-dominant Gen.G. T1, though internationally strong, have struggled domestically in recent years. Fans can watch via official LCK streams or top sportsbooks, with Stake offering extensive betting markets.
- LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 is set to begin on Wednesday, July 29
- 10 Korean LoL teams battle it out for the LCK trophy and LoL Worlds invites
- Hanwha Life Esports, Gen.G, and T1 are the main title contenders
LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Esports > LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4. T&Cs apply.
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The stage is set for the final showdown in the Korean League of Legends teams, and the stakes can’t get any higher!
- When Does LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Start?
- LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Format
- Regular Season
- Play-In
- Playoffs
- LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Favourites & Odds
- Where to Watch LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4?
- Where to Bet on LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4?
League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) 2026 Rounds 3-4 is just around the corner, kicking off this Wednesday, July 29.
As the final split of the 2026 season, LCK Rounds 3-4 marks the final showdown in the Korean region and one final chance for the franchised teams to battle their way to a spot at the season-ending LoL World Championship.
If the past split is any indication, LCK Rounds 3-4 promises to be a competitive and exciting competition; however, while LCK is widely known as the most stacked league in the world, there remains a clear gap between the top contenders and the rest.
As has been the case, T1, Hanwha Life Esports, and Gen.G are the three most dominant teams in the league and are once again the main candidates to hoist the prestigious LCK trophy.
However, as the spring split has shown, there is always room for upsets, which can shake up the balance of power and put a huge question mark above the burning question – who will lift the final LCK trophy of the season?
Here you can find a free LCK Rounds 3-4 betting preview, with format, schedule, favourites, and our expert betting picks, with odds courtesy of the top-rated esports bookmakers.
When Does LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Start?
LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 29. The regular season will run until August 23, and the Playoffs will conclude on September 13.
LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Format
LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 is a continuation of LCK Rounds 1-2, and uses a unique format. The teams’ record from the last split is carried over, and it will dictate their group seeding – with the top five squads placed in Legend Group and the rest in Rise Group.
Both groups are double round-robin with BO3 matches played throughout. The top two Legends teams will be rewarded a second-round playoff bye, and the next two will proceed to the first round of the playoffs.
The bottom team from Group Legend will join the top three teams from Rise Group in the Play-In. There, the teams are played in a double-elimination bracket with all matches played as BO3, with the two winners securing a spot in the playoffs.
Playoffs continue with a double-elimination bracket, albeit with all matches played as BO5.
The top three teams in the playoffs will secure tickets for LoL Worlds; however, if Hanwha Life Esports finish in the top three or fail to qualify for the playoffs, then the fourth-place team qualifies for Worlds as LCK’s fourth seed.
Regular Season
- 10 teams
- Two groups based on teams’ record in Rounds 1-2
- Double round-robin format
- Top five teams are placed in Legend Group
- Bottom five are placed in Rise Group
- Records from Rounds 1-2 are carried over
- All games are BO3
- Top two Legend Group teams advance to Playoffs Round 2
- 3rd-4th Legend Group teams proceed to Playoffs Round 1
- The bottom Legend team and top three squads from Rise Group head to the Play-In
- Bottom two teams from Rise Group are eliminated
Play-In
- Double-elimination format
- All matches are BO5
- Top two teams proceed to the Playoffs Round 1
Playoffs
- Double-elimination
- BO5 games
- Fearless Draft
- Top three teams qualify for LoL Worlds
LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4 Favourites & Odds
Dplus KIA won the Esports World Cup ahead of LCK Rounds 3-4. But even with that success, they are not among the main title contenders for the final LCK split.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Hanwha Life Esports | 2.50 |
| Gen.G | 2.75 |
| T1 | 3.50 |
| Dplus KIA | 13.00 |
| KT Rolster | 26.00 |
| BNK FEARX | 101.00 |
| Nongshim RedForce | 101.00 |
| HAJIN BRION | 151.00 |
| Kiwoom DRX | 201.00 |
| DN SOOPers | 251.00 |
This comes as no surprise, as LCK is packed with elite teams, three of which can easily be regarded as some of the best in the world.
Leading the way are Hanwha Life Esports, the defending LCK champions and recently crowned winners of the Mid-Season Invitational.
Hanwha Life Esports had a monstrous run through LCK Rounds 1-2, finally proving that they can avoid slipping in the knockout stages and playing at 100%. That run was followed by another superb display at MSI, where HLE outclassed everyone in their path to keep the momentum going and cement themselves as one of the world’s strongest teams.
Given HLE’s accomplishments over the last few months, it is hard to question them and their chances to win the final split. But Gen.G can’t be written off either.
Gen.G are historically the most successful team in the LCK, having won three of the last four LCK titles.
That includes two trophies in 2025, as well as LCK Cup 2026. They slowed down a bit in LCK Rounds 1-2, but still did not play poorly, and they had a realistic chance to contest the gold medal.
As one of the most stacked rosters in the world, Gen.G have everything they need to win the final split, and like many years before, they have the tools to make a run for the world championship title.
T1 have always been a threat to win the LCK trophy. As the world’s most successful team, T1 are, however, known more for their strong showings on the international stage, having won the last three world championships.
Domestically, on the other side, T1 haven’t hoisted an LCK trophy once since 2022. So even though T1 have the talent to make a run, history suggests they might slip once more comes the final push.
Where to Watch LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4?
LCK broadcasts are available on all esports streaming sites, via LCK channels. Esports fans can also find free streaming options on top-rated bookmakers like Stake, which offer streaming of the games along with in-play betting markets.
- Visit Stake
- Log in or register using Stake code NEWBONUS and claim your welcome offer
- Find LCK markets under the LoL tab
- Enjoy the live streams and place in-play bets
Where to Bet on LCK 2026 Rounds 3-4?
Betting on LCK Rounds 3-4 is an easy process, as LCK markets are available on most online betting sites. LoL fans can use most prominent bookmakers to find LCK markets; however, some stand out as more popular options than others.
Stake is one of the more recognisable platforms among LoL punters, as it offers great market selection, highly competitive odds, free live streaming and in-play betting, as well as generous bonuses and promotions.
Verdict
When talking about the LCK title race, it really comes down to a three-horse race between T1, Gen.G, and Hanwha Life. And even in this short list, T1 are likely out of the question, mainly due to their tendency to slip in the final stretches – as they have for the past four years.
While it would not be the most shocking thing to see T1 win LCK Rounds 3-4, Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G come off as better options. The big question is why are HLE viewed as bigger favourites than Gen.G, considering Gen.G are the most successful LCK team of the past three years.
Even in Rounds 1-2, Gen,G would’ve had an excellent chance to win the league had it not been for a weird competitive format, because of which they could not make the grand finals – forced into the lower bracket on the map difference record.
Hanwha Life are technically the most in-form team, but LCK Rounds 1-2 was their best split in years, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that HLE turn into a team they used to be – highly competitive and unreliable in the playoffs. Gen.G are quite the opposite.
While it would not be the most shocking thing to see T1 win LCK Rounds 3-4, Hanwha Life Esports and Gen.G come off as better options. The big question is why are HLE viewed as bigger favourites than Gen.G, considering Gen.G are the most successful LCK team of the past three years.
Even in Rounds 1-2, Gen,G would’ve had an excellent chance to win the league had it not been for a weird competitive format, because of which they could not make the grand finals – forced into the lower bracket on the map difference record.
Hanwha Life are technically the most in-form team, but LCK Rounds 1-2 was their best split in years, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that HLE turn into a team they used to be – highly competitive and unreliable in the playoffs. Gen.G are quite the opposite.
Gen.G To Win
Outright
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