The 2025 League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP) Finals, held at the Tien Son Sports Palace in Da Nang, concluded with memorable moments and significant milestones. The home team, Team Secret Whales (TSW), thrilled the audience with a victory over Taiwan's PSG Talon in the lower bracket final, but ultimately fell short against CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) in the grand final.

Beyond the competition, the LCP Finals Weekend 2025 incorporated entertainment and technology activities, attracting 5,000 esports fans over two days. This event strongly affirmed Vietnam's capability to host international esports events and its ambition to elevate the sport.

Fans ignite the atmosphere at the LCP Finals Weekend 2025 grand final between TSW and CFO. Photo: Quynh Tran

Fans ignite the atmosphere at the LCP Finals Weekend 2025 grand final between TSW and CFO. Photo: Quynh Tran

Heating up the Tien Son 'Cauldron'

Over the two days of competition, 20/9-21/9, the Tien Son Sports Palace transformed into a true "cauldron," fueled by the enthusiasm of thousands of fans. Organizers divided the stands into sections based on ticket tiers, streamlining movement for spectators. Fans received inflatable cheering sticks to support the players, and tight security was ensured with a team present throughout the event.

Despite the event lasting 8-9 hours each day, from the opening of game booths to the post-match press conference, fans were able to fully immerse themselves in a festival atmosphere combining sports, entertainment, and technology. The constant cheers, coupled with professional light and sound displays, created a visual spectacle comparable to prestigious international tournaments.

Two female spectators check in with official merchandise purchased at the event. Photo: Quynh Tran

Two female spectators check in with official merchandise purchased at the event. Photo: Quynh Tran

Another key factor contributing to the success of the LCP 2025 Finals Weekend was the venue. Major sporting events are often associated with a specific location, turning it into a place that holds memories for generations of athletes and fans. For Vietnamese esports enthusiasts, Tien Son is that sacred place.

For long-time esports followers, the LCP Finals Weekend 2025 evoked fond memories of the Southeast Asia Go Find Legends tournament in 9/2012 and the Southeast Asia League of Legends Championship (GPL) in summer 2016. At that time, the Saigon Jokers team brought fans to emotional heights with impressive victories against Singaporean and Thai opponents right at the Tien Son Sports Palace.

Phrases like "Tien Son Sacred Ground" and "Tien Son Wins" (another interpretation of TSW) were constantly mentioned before the tournament. It was a way for fans to express their hope that the aura of Tien Son Palace would bring luck to the Team Secret Whales players against their two Taiwanese opponents.

A male spectator expresses disappointment after losing a Teamfight Tactics match at a sponsor booth. Photo: Quynh Tran

A male spectator expresses disappointment after losing a Teamfight Tactics match at a sponsor booth. Photo: Quynh Tran

Major sporting events are often defined by a venue—a place that holds memories for generations of athletes and fans. For Vietnamese esports, the Tien Son Sports Palace is such a place. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have many modern stadiums capable of hosting large-scale events. However, what creates the "aura" for Tien Son is not just the facilities, but the historic moments and emotional victories that have taken place there. The challenge for the future of Vietnamese esports is to create more such legendary venues.

Affirming the Capacity to Host International Events

Before the LCP, Vietnam hosted many League of Legends tournaments like the VCS, GPL, and MSI. However, none were comparable in scale to this Finals Weekend. The VCS and GPL are domestic and Southeast Asian in scope, while MSI 2019 only held its play-in and group stages in Vietnam.

The LCP's choice of Da Nang as the venue to conclude the Asia-Pacific year marked the first time Vietnamese League of Legends organizers like FPT, VNGGames, and others collaborated to meet the stringent organizational standards set by Riot Games.

Although only hosting two matches, the complexity of an international event, combining various forms of entertainment and sports experiences, presented significant challenges. However, the operational team coordinated effectively, meeting the needs of both live and online audiences, while creating a comfortable competitive environment for the players.

A panoramic view of the main stage during the grand final between TSW and CFO. Photo: Quynh Tran

A panoramic view of the main stage during the grand final between TSW and CFO. Photo: Quynh Tran

"Vietnam hosting an international League of Legends tournament like the LCP is a golden opportunity to showcase our organizational capabilities and the passion of our fan community. The smooth collaboration between all parties turned that expectation into reality. The successful LCP 2025 is an important stepping stone, opening up opportunities to host larger tournaments in other esports disciplines," affirmed Ngo Manh Cuong, CEO of FPT Online.

Over 200 individuals, including the video production team, media crew, logistics, security, and others, overcame language barriers, cultural differences, and varying work styles to deliver a complete product to the audience. This included not only the match itself, but also the lively exchanges in the press room, entertaining analyses from the commentators, and a captivating cosplay final.

A Launchpad for New Talent

TSW's representation of Vietnam in the LCP Finals Weekend and the World Championship was an unexpected surprise for many. Previously, GAM Esports was considered the top contender. However, this outcome brought positive aspects and hope that the Vietnamese League of Legends scene will continue to produce new talent.

Facing established international names like Maple, Karsa, and JunJia, TSW displayed a fearless playing style. Their bold moves, characteristic of Vietnamese League of Legends, surprised the global audience and served as a strong statement about the region's new generation of talent.

TSW players compete in the lower bracket final, defeating PSG 3-1.

While unable to keep the championship trophy in Vietnam, TSW's performance was commendable. The way they faced defeat in the grand final was also impressive. "I think if I had performed better in that play, the course of the match would have changed... It was the decisive moment of the whole match," frankly admitted jungler Hizto, born in 2007. Not just in-game plays, but also interactions with the media at international tournaments provide invaluable experience for young players.

Vietnamese League of Legends has produced internationally recognized players. SOFM has competed for top LPL (China) teams like Suning, Snake, and Weibo, while Levi has also tested his skills in North America. But reaching major tournaments has always been a challenge.

The emergence of the LCP is expected to change that. The tournament is designed to increase competitiveness and serve as a launchpad for young talent, giving them a chance to catch the eye of top teams.

The clearest evidence is that immediately after winning the championship, CFO player HongQ was sought after by several LPL (China) teams. This is a positive sign, showing that the LCP can be a gateway for Vietnamese players to open a new chapter in their careers.

Trong Trung - Thy An