How important is the LCP championship for Vietnamese esports?

After many years of competing domestically through the VCS (Vietnam Championship Series), Vietnamese League of Legends teams officially entered a larger arena in 2025 with the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP). This regional tournament brings together representatives from Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and Oceania.

While the VCS once served as the benchmark for domestic strength, the LCP now becomes the test to measure the capabilities of Vietnamese teams in the broader regional context. Winning the LCP is not just about claiming the title, it is also directly tied to status, international qualification, and the representation of Vietnamese esports on the global League of Legends map.

LCP 2025's stage. Photo courtesy of LCP

Vietnam is home to one of the largest League of Legends fan communities in the world. A report by the Vietnam Entertainment & Esports Sports Association (VIRESA), published in June 2025, estimates that Vietnam has over 28 million esports players, with League of Legends accounting for a significant portion of that number.

In Japan or Taiwan, audiences mainly follow large-scale tournaments. However, in Vietnam, domestic competitions regularly attract hundreds of thousands of online viewers. The VCS Summer 2024 final, for example, drew 340,172 concurrent viewers. International matches draw even bigger numbers, such as the match between T1 and TES during the 2024 Swiss stage, which garnered 648,768 concurrent viewers from Vietnam.

Saigon Dino faces SN Cyber Esports at VCS Final 2025. Photo courtesy of VCS

As a result, expectations from the community are high. Fans not only want to see their teams compete in international tournaments, but they also want them to perform well to justify the investment and support they have given to the esports scene.

However, recent results from Vietnamese teams have not met these expectations. Underwhelming performances in recent LCP matches have significantly impacted Vietnam's number of spots at the World Championship (WCS). Previously, Vietnam had two spots in the WCS, but now it has only one chance to qualify for the year’s biggest tournament.

This decline has placed additional pressure on teams, creating a clear equation: Vietnamese representatives must win the LCP if they want to maintain their standing. A regional title not only secures a spot in the World Championship group stage but also serves as proof to Riot Games and the international community that Vietnam is a competitive region deserving of continued participation slots.

GAM Esports celebrating their win at VCS Summer finale 2024. Photo courtesy of VCS

If Vietnam fails to secure the LCP championship, there is a real risk that Vietnamese teams will be relegated to the play-in stage of the World Championship or, worse, be excluded altogether, an outcome that is not out of the realm of possibility. If that happens, the image of Vietnamese League of Legends on the international esports map will suffer greatly. A scene once known for its fiery and unpredictable style would struggle to avoid being overshadowed by the rise of other regions.

On the other hand, winning the LCP championship would provide a powerful boost. It would not only boost confidence among fans but also help domestic teams affirm their capabilities, attract more sponsors, and increase the value of their players. Additionally, frequent matchups with seasoned teams from esports-advanced places like Taiwan and Japan would help Vietnamese teams refine their tactics, improve their gameplay, and stay up to date with global trends.

In many ways, the LCP is not just a new international tournament hosted on home soil—it carries "life-or-death" significance for Vietnamese esports. Winning the LCP means preserving World Championship slots, maintaining fan trust, and retaining the reputation of a League of Legends scene that once made a significant impact. Conversely, failure could cause Vietnam to lose ground and diminish its future development opportunities.

GAM's Levi reacts during LCP Mid Season Grand Final versus CFO. Photo courtesy of LCP

The League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP 2025) is the largest League of Legends tournament ever held in Da Nang, bringing together top teams from across the Asia-Pacific region. Launched in 2025 by Riot Games and Carry International, the LCP replaces the VCS (Vietnam), PCS (Taiwan), and LJL (Japan) and now features eight elite teams from Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

Tickets are now on sale, available in single-day or two-day combo packages, with additional promotions. Beyond the matches, fans can enjoy cosplay contests and meet-and-greet sessions with professional players.

Purchase LCP 2025 tickets here.