Look, let's be honest, the playoffs for the 2026 LCK Academy Series (LCK AS) Second Half Academy League are kicking off on August 31. This tier-three regular competition designed to nurture the next generation of players has wrapped up its full league stage with 10 teams, and everyone is gearing up for the final showdown. During the full league, T1 Esports Academy Rookies flexed their muscles by clinching first place for the fourth consecutive time.

A total of 10 teams participated in this second-half academy full league, including nine academies affiliated with LCK teams and Eunpyeong Meditech High School Gaming, which made its way through the school league. According to the full league results that wrapped up on August 25, T1 Esports Academy Rookies secured the top spot for the fourth straight time, following last year's first and second halves and the first half of this year. Dplus KIA Youth took second place, DN Supers Academy grabbed third, KT Rolster Academy landed in fourth, and Hanwha Life Esports came in fifth. The final playoff ticket went to Hanjin Brion Academy, who edged out Nongshim Esports Academy to finish in sixth.

The playoffs will run online every weekend from October 31 to November 8. All matches will follow a best-of-five semi-double elimination format. On the opening day of October 31, things kick off at 2 PM with the match between DN Supers Academy and Hanjin Brion Academy, followed by KT Rolster Academy facing Hanwha Life Esports at 5 PM. On November 1, full league leaders T1 Esports Academy Rookies and second-place Dplus KIA will each square off against the winners of the first round. November 7 will feature the round three winner and loser bracket matches, and the champions will finally be crowned through the finals qualifier and grand finals on November 8.

Match broadcasts will start at 2 PM on each match day. Casters Lee Sung-hoon and Lee Jun-seong alongside commentator Lee Seo-haeng will be taking the mic, and you can catch all the action via the official LCK Challengers League SOOP and Chzzk channels. The winning team will walk away with a trophy and a prize of 2.5 million KRW, while the runners-up get 1.5 million KRW, and the third and fourth-place teams will receive 1 million KRW each.

LCK AS is an official league under the LCK umbrella, hosted by Riot Games, co-organized by Riot Games and KeSPA, and sponsored by Woori Bank. You can check out more detailed information about the tournament on the LCK AS official Instagram.