Gen.G Esports Make History as First Team to Qualify for First Stand 2026 After Dominant LCK Cup Run

Gen.G set the tone early, taking Map 1 with a controlled and patient performance built around neutral objective dominance. A decisive late-game teamfight sealed the deal at 18:13. They kept their foot on the gas in Game 2, executing superior macro play and suffocating map pressure to pull away with a 19:12 win and a commanding 2:0 series lead.

BNK FEARX refused to go down without a fight, delivering their best showing of the series in Game 3. Precise early skirmishing and aggressive rotations gave them the foothold they needed, and they capitalized fully for a convincing 17:5 victory to keep the series alive. It proved to be only a temporary reprieve, however, as Gen.G came roaring back in Game 4 — weathering the early game before completely asserting control in teamfights and steamrolling to a dominant 22:4 finish that sealed the 3:1 series victory.

Mid laner Chovy was the standout performer of the series and rightly claimed MVP honors. He averaged a 2.6/2.6/5.0 KDA across all four games, combining ironclad lane control with the highest total damage output on his team. His influence in mid-game skirmishes consistently derailed BNK FEARX's attempts to claw back into the series and was central to Gen.G's dominant showing throughout.

With the victory, Gen.G march directly into the LCK Cup 2026 grand final and formally become the first team in the world to secure qualification for First Stand 2026. BNK FEARX are not yet eliminated, dropping into the Lower Bracket Final for one final shot at reaching the championship match.

Next Game Day Matches

The playoff action continues on February 22 with the Lower Bracket Semifinal clash between T1 and Dplus KIA.

The LCK Cup 2026 runs from January 14 to March 1 in Seoul, South Korea, with the grand final set to take place in Hong Kong. Throughout the event, teams are competing for two coveted slots at the 2026 First Stand.