The first week of games in the LEC Winter Split was on fire.

The LEC Winter Split 2024 just got done with its first week of matches to see SK Gaming as the clear winner in the outcome. With just two more weeks of games to go, SK will have one foot through to the playoffs by this weekend if they win their next three matches on the trot.

And close behind them is a five-way tie for second as the likes of Fnatic, G2 Esports, MAD Lions KOI, Team BDS, and Team Heretics all share a 2-1 score line. Both GIANTX and Rogue are also tied for seventh with a 1-2 score whilst newcomers Karmine Corp sit last alongside Team Vitality after they lost all three of its opening games.

  • Read More: LEC Winter Split Preview

With this being just the second iteration of the LEC Winter Split, it also did away with the group stage portion this season, going from the regular season and straight to the playoffs. However, this doesn't mean there are fewer games to be played as the playoffs feature a double-elimination bracket with the first two rounds being a best-of-three and the rest being a best-of-five.

SK Gaming on Top

It's not often you'll see SK Gaming have the perfect start to a split but here we are after they defeated the likes Rogue, MAD Lions KOI, and even Fnatic to go top after the first week of games. The last time this happened was during last season's Spring Split, which they went on to win only one of their remaining six games. While SK did qualify, they soon bombed out during the group stage. With that out of the picture now, this could be SK's best shot at securing a top-eight finish to the playoffs.

And they will have a good chance in doing so with their next three games coming up against Team Heretics, GIANTX, and Team BDS respectively. Heretics have reinvested well over the off-season to bring some of the best players around Europe to its team. BDS will also be another hard task given how well they performed at Worlds last season to get as far as the Swiss Stage. As for GIANTX, being a newcomer to the LEC, it hasn't been a great start for them so a win against SK could be the bounce back they need.

Heavy Mid-table Battle

It is a massive five-way tie going on for second place at the moment that also includes the reigning LEC champions G2 Esports. They will have the chance to put distance between themselves and the other teams currently tied when they play MAD Lions KOI and Team Heretics a few days from now. The same can also be said of Fnatic, who have a slightly easier second week of games as they will face up against Team BDS, Rogue, and GIANTX.

This coming weekend will be a pivotal point in the LEC Winter Split as the top-eight teams begin to take shape. Heretics will have one hell of a weekend as well with big matches against SK, G2, and even KC. The first two would already prove to be a noteworthy challenge but its last game of week two against KC should also be exciting, especially given the drama that happened over the weekend.

Drama Galore for Karmine

It's well noted that KC has an avid fanbase that can rival the most ardent supporters in League of Legends. Having already proven themselves in the LFL and EUMasters, KC's debut in the LEC was nothing short of entertaining. Despite a dreadful 0-3 start to the Winter Split, The KC fans were still in full effect over the weekend. That was, until things went off the rails for a bit on social media.

It all kicked off during KC's final match of the day versus MAD in which they got demolished by the three-time LEC champions. Given how vocal KC fans can be during live matches, a round of boos filled the Riot Games Arena in Berlin that was directed at MAD. This prompted a swift response from the online community that either loved or hated what they just witnessed. When it's all said and done, this just proves the passion European supporters have for its team.

Week 2 Match Schedule

Saturday, January 20th

RoguevsTeam Vitality- 5:00 p.m. CET

SK GamingvsTeam Heretics- 6:00 p.m. CET

G2 EsportsvsMAD Lions- 7:00 p.m. CET

FnaticvsTeam BDS- 8:00 p.m. CET

GIANTXvsKarmine Corp- 9:00 p.m. CET

Sunday, January 21st

MAD LionsvsTeam BDS- 5:00 p.m. CET

FnaticvsRogue- 6:00 p.m. CET

G2 EsportsvsTeam Heretics- 7:00 p.m. CET

GIANTXvsSK Gaming- 8:00 p.m. CET

Karmine CorpvsTeam Vitality- 9:00 p.m. CET

Monday, January 22nd

SK GamingvsTeam BDS- 5:00 p.m. CET

FnaticvsGIANTX- 6:00 p.m. CET

MAD LionsvsRogue- 7:00 p.m. CET

G2 EsportsvsTeam Vitality- 8:00 p.m. CET

Karmine CorpvsTeam Heretics- 9:00 p.m. CET