The 2025 LEC season is fast approaching. Riot Games has officially released the Winter Split's schedule. Rogue, which have yet to sell their slot, will kick off the new year with a match against the youthful Team Heretics on Saturday, January 18, at 6 PM. The first day will culminate in a much-anticipated reunion between Martin “Yike” Sundelin, now representing Karmine Corp, and his former team, G2 Esports. The Samurais will begin their title defense following an impeccable 2024 season.

Kamel “Kameto” Kebir’s Karmine Corp will face Ibai Llanos’ Movistar KOI the following evening (Sunday at 7:30 PM). The two teams have already clashed twice this offseason in showmatches: first at KCX 4 on November 9, and later at KOI CON on December 6. Both teams secured victories on home turf, but the lineups for those matches differed from the rosters that will compete in the LEC.

Rookies' debut

Following a largely disappointing Worlds campaign, the Spanish team will begin its season on Saturday against a Fnatic squad eager to break its streak of near-misses and surpass its historical limitations. The Black and Orange have not claimed a title since 2018, and they suffered three final losses to G2 last year. Fnatic will also face Vitality, whose roster will be under close scrutiny this season. The Hive has made a bold decision to forgo high-profile signings, opting instead to promote two academy players: Kaan “Naak Nako” Okan and Mateusz “Czajek” Czajka.

GIANTX, which have likely gained substantial attention during the offseason thanks to their ambitious recruitment strategy—including former Fnatic botlane Oh “Noah” Hyeon-taek and Yoon “Jun” Se-jun—will debut against a heavily revamped SK Gaming lineup. The German organization has rebuilt its roster by incorporating members of the best Tier 2 team from 2024, BDS Academy, including Janik “JNX” Bartels and Steven “Reeker” Chen.

Meanwhile, the highly promising Polat “Parus” Çiçek, another former BDSA player, will make his LEC debut with the first team against the Bees. BDS will also face G2 on Sunday in another meaningful reunion: Labros “Labrov” Papoutsakis will go up against his former team, marking an emotional start to the season for the Swiss organization.