TL;DR
- 100 Diamond 1+ players compete for pro team opportunities in survival format
- Four legendary coaches including World Champions PawN, Wolf, PraY, and MaRin provide mentorship
- Winning team receives $41,000 plus undisclosed special career advancement opportunities
- First episode streams August 2 on LCK’s YouTube and Twitch channels
- Show bridges amateur and professional League of Legends ecosystems
League of Legends enters mainstream entertainment with a groundbreaking competitive reality series that could reshape how professional talent is discovered.
Riot Games Korea has unveiled “LOL THE NEXT,” an innovative survival audition program featuring 100 elite League competitors, all maintaining Diamond 1 ranking or higher. These skilled players will face multiple competitive challenges designed to test their mechanical prowess, strategic thinking, and team coordination under pressure.
The top 10 performers emerging from these intensive trials will be divided into two five-member rosters. Each squad receives guidance from legendary Korean professional players who bring championship-level expertise to the mentoring process. This coaching lineup includes Heo “PawN” Won-seok, Lee “Wolf” Jae-wan, KT Rolster’s Kim “PraY” Jong-in, and Jang “MaRin” Gyeong-hwan.
All four veteran League of Legends professionals bring extensive competitive histories, having both collaborated and competed against each other at the highest levels of play in both the LCK and international tournaments like the Mid-Season Invitational and World Championship. PawN secured his World Championship title in 2014 while competing with Samsung Blue. Wolf achieved three World Championship victories while serving as support for the legendary SK Telecom T1 roster. PraY earned three LCK championship titles and previously guided his former organization, KOO Tigers, to a second-place Worlds finish behind SKT. MaRin captured two LCK championships and also claimed World Championship glory with SKT T1.
These coaching appointments represent a strategic decision to provide contestants with mentorship from players who understand the complete competitive journey—from amateur aspirations to championship success. Their collective experience covers multiple roles and playstyles, ensuring comprehensive guidance for developing players.
The two selected teams will undergo intensive training regimens under their veteran mentors before competing in official matches at LCK’s prestigious LoL Park venue in Seoul. The victorious squad earns 50 million Korean won (approximately $41,000 USD), plus access to a “special opportunity” that remains undisclosed. Community speculation suggests this may include practice sessions or trial opportunities with established professional organizations in Korea’s competitive scene.
Introducing LoL THE NEXT, the first-ever Korean Survival Audition Program that is based around League of Legends.
It will make its first broadcast on the 2nd of August, 3:30 PM KST. pic.twitter.com/11UkmMbeva
— Kevin Kim ???? (@KevinKimLoL) July 27, 2020
This pioneering League of Legends reality program will stream exclusively through the LCK’s official YouTube and Twitch broadcasting channels. The inaugural episode premieres August 2, offering global audiences unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Korea’s elite player development system.
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Action Checklist
- Mark your calendar for August 2 premiere at 3:30 PM KST
- Follow LCK YouTube and Twitch channels for streaming access
- Analyze coaching techniques for personal skill development insights
- Track player progression throughout the competition for meta insights
- Participate in community discussions on Reddit and social media
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » League of Legends is getting a reality show called LOL THE NEXT Discover how Riot Games Korea's LOL THE NEXT reality show transforms elite players into pro contenders