An LCK Team Not Competing but Still Facing a Ranking Drop
After the First Stand 2026 phase, the League of Legends community will have a break to prepare for what is expected to be an even more intense phase ahead. Although there are still many shortcomings in the format and external factors such as facilities and organization… the First Stand 2026 has left an impression to some extent. For the teams, this tournament also helped them rise in the early season power rankings, especially names like G2 or BLG. Perhaps, only HLE is “unable to smile”.
Accordingly, due to ending the early season too soon (only after the group stage), HLE’s scores remained unchanged until after the First Stand concluded. While other top teams at least reached the later stages of the LCK Cup 2026 (T1, DK) or First Stand (Gen.G, BLG, G2…), HLE’s ranking suffered significantly. Before the First Stand 2026 commenced, HLE was in 3rd place. Now, they have dropped down to 6th place after G2 and BLG surged ahead.
In fact, with AL also going deep in the LPL Split 1, HLE is now ranked lower than representatives from the LPL. It can be said that overall, HLE’s early season in 2026 is a complete failure. They might cite the format as one reason. But perhaps when HLE was defeated by NS, everyone understood this was a predictable consequence for the “Orange House”.
HLE Remains a Force in the New LCK Season but the Players Must Improve
Clearly, in the LCK Cup 2026 phase, for many reasons, HLE’s star-studded lineup did not perform at their best. This is a factor that these superstars themselves must improve. The LCK Regular Seasons 2026 will no longer be a phase where they can be complacent or careless, as one small mistake could cost them the entire following season.