LCK Cup 2026 Playoffs Match Review: Gen.G Becomes the First Team to Qualify For First Stand

The winner of today’s series earns their spot at First Stand. They will be one of two representatives for the LCK. As many would expect, Gen.G Esports managed to defeat FearX. They became the first team in the world to secure a spot at First Stand. After missing out on the competition last year, Gen.G is eager to lift the trophy in Brazil.

LCK Cup 2026 Playoffs: Gen.G Esports Versus FearX Match Review

Gen.G qualifying for First Stand as an LCK seed — Image of Gen.G’s First Stand Qualification, courtesy of LoL Esports

Game One Draft

Gen.G Esports – Blue Side

Rek’Sai
Vi
Taliyah
Varus
Rakan

FearX – Second Pick

Ambessa
Pantheon
Azir
Jhin
Poppy

Game One Summary

Canyon and Duro disrespect BFX’s presence in their jungle. Duro teleports in, and Canyon tries to save him. BFX kills both, with one kill going to VicLa and Diable, respectively. Chovy unleashes on the map to build advantages in the side lane. Diable disrespects Canyon’s Herald Charge and dies. Gen.G earns an ace on the mid-lane to garner a 5k gold lead. BFX targets Chovy on the side lane and kills him before the Drake. Even at a member disadvantage, Gen.G takes the fight. However, it goes heavily in BFX’s favor. They kill four and secure the Drake.

One minute later, Gen.G only has a 1k gold lead. Then it becomes Raptor’s turn to get caught out. He and Diable die after Gen.G’s chase. They take the Baron and restore their previous lead. Gen.G’s Cloud Soul fight is scrappy. When the dust settles, only Kiin and Kellin are left alive. Both stare at each other while Kiin holds Drake. He can not look to kill it, as Kellin has Unsealed Spellbook Smite. In the next fight, Gen.G kills Raptor and charges down the mid lane for a game one win.

Total Apex Ratings

Gen.G Esports

Kiin – 8
Canyon – 7
Chovy – 8
Ruler – 8
Kellin – 8

FearX

Clear – 5
Raptor – 4
VicLa – 6
Diable – 4
Kellin – 6

Player of the game – Chovy

Game Two Draft

Gen.G Esports – Blue Side

Zaahen
Wukong
Aurora
Ashe
Seraphine

FearX – Second Pick

Sion
Xin Zhao
Ahri
Lucian
Milio

Game Two Summary

Raptor and VicLa can break the bot lane with a move down. Even with two kills, BFX is behind. The second Drake fight is messy as multiple members live on low health. Somehow, only Ruler dies for Gen.G, while Diable and Clear die. Despite three early kills for BFX in the following fight, Kiin and Chovy respond. The fight ends in a 3-3 tie. Despite BFX’s best efforts, they can never get a fight win. If BFX does not get an advantage, Gen.G crushes them in the teamfight. Gen.G does throw a portion of their lead, but ultimately, it does not matter.

Total Apex Ratings

Gen.G Esports

Kiin – 9
Canyon – 7
Chovy – 8
Ruler – 6
Duro – 7

FearX

Clear – 5
Raptor – 5
VicLa – 6
Diable – 6
Kellin – 6

Game Three Draft

Gen.G Esports – Blue Side

Gnar
Aatrox
Mel
Yunara
Lulu

FearX – First Pick

Gwen
Dr. Mundo
Twisted Fate
Ezreal
Karma

Game Three Summary

There is little action in the early game. VicLa greeds for a Turret plating and dies to Chovy for First Blood. Both teams battle on the mid lane on the Infernal Drake point. In the end, BFX emerges with five kills and only loses two members. BFX plays stably and does not give Gen.G an opening until the Infernal Soul fight. They manage to kill Chovy and Canyon as they try VicLa. As a result, BFX earns the Infernal Soul. They wipe out most of Gen.G off the rift as they get Baron. Off the Baron push, BFX ends the game.

Total Apex Ratings

Gen.G Esports

Kiin – 6
Canyon – 5
Chovy – 6
Ruler – 5
Duro – 5

FearX

Clear – 7
Raptor – 7
VicLa – 7
Diable – 6
Kellin – 7

Player of the game – VicLa

Game Four Draft

Gen.G Esports – First Pick

Renekton
Nidalee
Zoe
Jinx
Nautilus

FearX – Red Side

Ornn
Jarvan IV
Syndra
Aphelios
Thresh

Game Four Summary

Gen.G trades aggressively in the bot lane. Diable is low health, and Canyon shows up to dive him for First Blood. Gen.G builds gold leads in isolation on every lane. Duro somehow lives twice in the space of one minute. Gen.G crushes a fight in the bot lane to earn four kills. They have a 7k gold lead at 13 minutes. Gen.G runs away with the game and closes out the series.

Total Apex Ratings

Gen.G Esports

Kiin – 8
Canyon – 9
Chovy – 8
Ruler – 8
Duro – 8

FearX

Clear – 5
Raptor – 4
VicLa – 5
Diable – 5
Kellin – 4

Player of the series – Canyon

Series Summary

Gen.G Beat BFX 3-1 in the LCK Cup Playoffs Qualifying for First Stand — Image of Gen.G beating BFX, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

The series today was a snap back to reality for BFX. After defeating T1 3-1 in the LCK Cup last week, they had hopes of winning against Gen.G. Gen.G dashed BFX’s hopes as they rose above BFX during the series. Whenever it seemed like BFX had a chance in teamfights, someone on Gen.G had a clutch moment. The only game in the series that BFX had a chance at was game three. The draft from Gen.G did not give them much of a chance. Besides that, Gen.G had their number. Diable, especially, had a weak series as he was kept quiet by Ruler and Duro.