UPDATE: Riot Games has just completed an urgent ethics and conduct training for 150 players and coaches participating in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK). The session, held on January 2, 2026, at the LCK Arena in LoL Park, was designed to prepare teams for the highly anticipated 2026 season and the upcoming LCK Cup.
This critical training focused on key areas such as competitive operations, rule updates, and athlete responsibilities, ensuring participants are aligned with the latest integrity standards. As the league gears up for a new competitive year, this initiative underscores Riot Games’ commitment to maintaining high professional standards across the league and its developmental Challengers League.
During the four-hour session, players and coaches received vital briefings on format adjustments for the 2026 season, competitive rules, and new “Coach Comms” strategies that will debut during the LCK Cup group stage. Officials also highlighted Riot’s global esports code of conduct, disciplinary policies, and significant gameplay changes planned for the upcoming season.
The event attracted around 150 participants from 10 teams, emphasizing the importance of unity in professional conduct. Notably, the program included mandatory anti-doping instruction conducted by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency in preparation for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. This segment provided crucial information on testing procedures, prohibited substances, and player rights during controls.
Starting at 3 p.m., attendees were grouped into tracks based on experience. First-year players benefited from a session on standard player contracts led by attorney Ahn Chan-sik of Law Firm Chungjeong. Ahn detailed contract structures, dispute-resolution processes, and key areas rookies should scrutinize before signing.
Veteran players with two or more years in the league participated in a sportsmanship seminar led by Kim Jin-hoon from the Sports Ethics Center. This seminar emphasized respect for teammates, opponents, and adherence to competition rules as essential expectations of professional conduct.
The LCK has been a cornerstone of the global League of Legends esports landscape since its transition to a single-season format in 2025, running from April to September with 10 teams. In addition to domestic competitions, LCK teams regularly compete in prestigious international events such as the Mid-Season Invitational and the League of Legends World Championship.
Riot Games confirmed that this educational initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that players and staff are well-equipped to navigate evolving regulations and integrity standards as the new competitive year approaches. The league’s 2026 Season Opening Event is set for January 9, 2026, at the LCK Arena in Seoul, marking the official start of the season.
As the esports community eagerly anticipates the new season, this training not only reinforces the importance of ethics in competition but also highlights the ongoing commitment of Riot Games to fostering a responsible and respectful gaming environment. Stay tuned for more updates as the LCK continues to evolve.
