HLE can decide which teams will share the top 1-2 spots
The final match of Week 8 in the LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2 group stage ended with a victory for T1, while the leaderboard leader remains HLE. However, there has been a significant shift as KT dropped to 4th place and is almost out of contention for the top 1-2 spots, especially since their last opponent is T1, who are showing strong form and an undefeated streak. In reality, HLE also holds the “deciding power” for the top 1-2 positions in the final group stage week.
Summarizing the top 4 positions after the group stage: HLE leads with a 14-2 record, Gen.G and T1 both have 12-4 with the same match record, but Gen.G ranks higher due to head-to-head results; KT is 4th with a 12-4 record but significantly worse match difference.
Accordingly, in the final week, on the first day, HLE will face Gen.G. HLE currently holds a 14-2 record with a 2-win lead over the next three teams. This means even if HLE loses their last two matches, it’s unlikely they will drop out of the top 1-2. Their last opponent is BRO, a highly unstable team, and only one of T1 or KT could potentially reach 14 wins. However, if it’s T1, they lose to HLE in both match record and head-to-head, and KT loses out on match difference. Meanwhile, HLE only needs one win to secure a top 1-2 finish.
However, if HLE loses 0-2 to Gen.G, the reigning LCK Cup champions will immediately move up to second place regardless of the KT vs T1 match outcome. This is because Gen.G’s final opponent is BRO, and it would be hard to believe Gen.G would lose to them.
Conversely, if HLE beats Gen.G by any score, the T1 vs KT match will decide who finishes second. At that point, Gen.G (with the best match record and head-to-head) will no longer be able to reach 14 wins. Meanwhile, T1 and KT’s remaining opponents, BNK and DNS respectively, are straightforward matches. Thus, the result of the HLE vs Gen.G match will determine about 90% of the team finishing second after the group stage ends.
HLE will make necessary strategic calculations
In a long season with an additional Road to MSI round full of uncertainties, HLE will surely need to calculate carefully. Victory is ideal, but not every loss is a “disaster.”