KeSPA has announced that Dplus KIA secured the championship at the 2026 Asia Masters this past 21st, marking the fourth consecutive year an LCK CL team has claimed the throne. The Asia Masters serves as an international stage for top-tier squads from second-division leagues across Asia, including LCK CL, LDL, PCS, VCS, and LJL. As this year’s victors, Dplus KIA have earned an automatic ticket to the ASCI, set to take place this coming September.

Dplus KIA snatched their maiden Asia Masters title by dismantling T1 Esports Academy with a 3-1 set score in the grand final. While T1 Esports Academy clawed their way to a win in a grueling 40-minute opener, Dplus KIA flipped the script from the second set onwards, relying on clinical focus and superior team fighting. They never looked back, seizing control of key skirmishes in the third set and sealing the deal with a massive late-game dragon fight in the fourth.

Since moving to a year-round operational model last year, the 2026 Asia Masters has become a crucial proving ground for young talent to sharpen their skills against diverse regional rivals. With the roster of participating regions expanded to five this year, the tournament has cemented its status as a sustainable pipeline for talent development. Notably, all four LCK CL teams advanced to the bracket stage, and Dplus KIA’s win once again proves that the LCK CL remains the undisputed heavyweight of second-division leagues.

The 2026 Asia Masters featured 12 top-tier teams from across the regions, including the four leaders from the LCK CL regular season: T1 Esports Academy, Dplus KIA, Nongshim RedForce, and KT Rolster. The tournament structure spanned a Group Stage, a Last Chance Qualifier, and a final Bracket Stage, where the remaining four teams faced off in a double-elimination format to crown the champion.

The Dplus KIA squad shared their thoughts on the win: "After a disappointing start at the LCK CL Kickoff, we’re thrilled to have climbed to the top of the regular season and now take home the Asia Masters trophy. We’ll keep pushing hard to maintain this momentum through the upcoming 3rd and 4th rounds of the regular season."

Meanwhile, the 2026 LCK CL regular season is set to resume its 3rd round on July 27th. From this point on, teams will be split into Challenge and Trial groups, with each group playing a double round-robin. You can watch the VODs for the 2026 Asia Masters on the official LCK CL Chzzk and SOOP channels, and keep up with all the latest LCK CL news via their official SNS.