The mandatory task has been accomplished – will it work out at Worlds too this time?
Gen.G have once again been crowned LCK champions. In the Grand Final, they defeated Hanwha Life Esports 3-1, securing not only another domestic title, but also Korea’s first seed for Worlds 2026. HLE will attend as seed two, followed by T1 and Dplus KIA.
Gen.G’s Dominance in Korea Continues
For Gen.G, this title is more than just another domestic trophy. For years, the organization has been almost absurdly consistent in Korea. Gen.G have won six of the last seven LCK splits, including Summer 2022, both splits in 2023, Spring 2024, and the yearly championships in 2025 and 2026. The only exception was Summer 2024, when HLE won the final 3-2.
At the center of this era is still Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon. Every LCK title Gen.G have won came with Chovy on the roster, and the midlaner now has six LCK trophies himself. That makes him one of the defining figures of modern Korean League of Legends history, even if the biggest Worlds triumph is still missing.
The rest of the roster underlines the dynasty status as well. Kim “Kiin” Gi-in wins his third LCK title, Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu his sixth, Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk his third, and Joo “Duro” Min-kyu his second. Ruler was also named MVP of the final.
2026 #LCK Champions : @GenG ! pic.twitter.com/UrGv2Bki9r
— LCK (@LCK) September 13, 2026
The Worlds Pressure Still Remains
That is exactly where the story becomes interesting. Domestically, Gen.G are now almost the safest team in the world. Internationally, the picture is more complicated. Gen.G won MSI 2024 and MSI 2025, but Worlds remains the one title the organization is still missing.
The last few years show that tension clearly. Gen.G have reached several deep Worlds runs, but repeatedly fell short of the final goal. They lost quarterfinals against G2 Esports in 2020 and Bilibili Gaming in 2023, as well as semifinals against EDward Gaming in 2021, DRX in 2022, T1 in 2024, and KT Rolster in 2025.
That means Gen.G will once again arrive at Worlds 2026 as a favorite, but perhaps with a different kind of pressure. Expectations are high because this team is so dominant domestically. At the same time, the past has shown that an LCK title and a strong Worlds seed do not automatically lead to the Summoner’s Cup.
Seed 1 Is More Than Prestige
The first LCK seed is still extremely valuable. Gen.G avoid a weaker starting position, get a better setup for the Swiss Stage, and send a clear message before Worlds: if you want to beat Korea, you first have to get past Gen.G.
For HLE, the loss is not a disaster, but it is a setback. The MSI champions head to Worlds as the second seed and remain one of the most dangerous title contenders. T1 as the third seed bring their full Worlds history, while Dplus KIA as the fourth seed do not look like a normal outsider either after winning the EWC.
That is exactly why Korea’s Worlds lineup looks so brutal. Gen.G, HLE, T1 and DK bring titles, experience, form and narratives. But after this final, Gen.G are once again at the top.
For Chovy and Gen.G, Worlds 2026 is therefore the next test. They have conquered Korea again. Now the only question left is whether this dominance finally ends at the biggest tournament of the year – or whether Worlds once again becomes the place where Gen.G’s perfect domestic order falls apart.