MBC has officially extended its broadcast deal for the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) Finals through 2027. This means the broadcaster will keep the tournament on terrestrial television for three consecutive years, covering 2025, 2026, and 2027.

MBC made history in 2025 by airing the clash between Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports—the first time a terrestrial channel had broadcast the LCK live. It was well-received for introducing the spectacle to viewers unfamiliar with League of Legends esports. The network agreed to the two-year extension, recognizing the LCK's potential as 'premium content that can be enjoyed by multiple generations.'

The 2026 LCK Finals are scheduled for a Sunday kickoff at 2 PM, just like last year. MBC considers this a 'prime time' slot, as it is the same time usually reserved for the KBO League, Korea’s professional baseball league. Seeing the LCK hold this slot for two years running is a testament to its value as premium content.

The 2026 LCK Finals will be broadcast live on MBC on Sunday, September 13, with the final qualifier held a day earlier on Saturday, September 12. Both events will take place at the KSPO Dome in Songpa-gu, Seoul—a familiar venue for fans who remember the 2024 LCK Spring Finals. MBC plans to leverage its 2025 broadcast experience to provide commentary tailored to a broader audience and offer pre-event information through its sports news coverage.

The LCK post-season consists of Play-ins and Playoffs. The top four teams from the 'Legend Group' (the top five from the regular season) head straight to the playoffs, while the fifth-place team from the Legend Group and the top three from the 'Rise Group' (the bottom five from the regular season) battle it out in the Play-ins. The two winners of the Play-ins join the playoff bracket to face the 3rd and 4th place teams from the Legend Group in the first round. The playoffs are a double-elimination affair, culminating in the September 13 showdown between the winner of the upper bracket and the winner of the final qualifier.

LCK Secretary-General Lee Jung-hoon expressed his gratitude, noting that MBC's continued commitment through 2027 provides a great opportunity for the LCK to reach more fans, and he hopes that League of Legends esports will become more widely known and resonate across generations. Ahn Hee-nam, Team Leader of MBC Sports Planning and Business, stated, 'Our 2025 broadcast confirmed that the LCK is not just content for a specific generation, but premium sports content that the whole family can enjoy. Through 2027, we will use our production expertise and terrestrial accessibility to provide the best experience for existing fans while offering easy and friendly coverage for newcomers.'