The LCK MSI Qualifiers have officially started. DK faced BRO and closed out the series with a 3-0 sweep, moving to the second round of the losers' bracket. In total, the three games lasted only 80 minutes, with DK overwhelming BRO in all positions. Brother Xu stood out, crushing two enemy mid laners consecutively and recording just one death over three games, securing the series POM. For dominating weaker opponents, Brother Xu remains the go-to player.

In the next match, DK will take on KT. If they win, they can continue their run; if they lose, they're out of MSI contention. Brother Xu really shines against weaker teams, but his performance against a strong mid laner like BDD will be the real test. It's tough for a losers' bracket team to reach MSI—under the single-elimination format, there's no room for error, and a single loss means elimination. DK, starting from the first round, must win four consecutive BO5 series to qualify for MSI.

DCG, KC, and Furia have qualified for MSI.

The Season 16 Mid-Season Invitational kicks off at the end of this month. All major regions are currently holding playoffs to determine their representatives. After G2 and TSW secured their spots, the LCP region's DCG team narrowly defeated GAM 3-2 in the losers' bracket final, becoming the third team worldwide to lock in an MSI berth. Two traditional powerhouses—CFO failed to make playoffs, and GAM stumbled—signaling a shift in the LCP landscape.

On the same day DCG qualified, the European LEC region also played its losers' bracket final. KC swept MKOI 3-0, securing the region's second MSI spot and becoming the fourth team globally to qualify. It's surprising to see a sweep in a losers' bracket final, but KC has shown real strength this year. It's possible that G2 might even lose the championship in these playoffs.

On the same day those two teams advanced, the Brazilian region held its finals. FURIA defeated LOS 3-1 to win the spring championship and qualify for MSI. Unlike the previous four qualifiers, the Brazilian champion receives a direct invitation to the main event. G2, KC, TSW, and DCG still need to compete for seeding, making FURIA the first team worldwide to secure a spot in the MSI group stage.

JKL reveals why he stays with TES

After TES advanced to the winners' bracket final, they are set to face WE for the first LPL MSI slot. Based on WE's recent performances, this BO5 could be tricky for TES. However, TES has a history of rising to the occasion when expectations are low, so this match against WE feels promising. Even TES fans are a bit worried that the team might not get past WE.

Before the MSI spot battle began, TES's bot laner and mid laner appeared on an official show. Creme responded to the famous "Bible" quote, and JackeyLove was asked why he has always chosen to stay with TES. His answer: "Most importantly, I really don't want to deal with contracts anymore, and playing here keeps us competitive every year." The implication is clear: negotiating contracts can be risky, especially since a visit to RNG once cost him millions.

Staying with TES is a win-win for both the team and JackeyLove. TES needs his popularity, and his skill level remains high. JackeyLove is the type who only wants to play for strong teams, and TES has a high budget every year. Going to another team would not be as good as staying with TES. But the core reason is that he's been burned by RNG's contract issues. In the late stage of his career, moving to another team could lead to contract disputes, which would be a real headache.

Conclusion:

This year's Mid-Season Invitational will feature a total of 11 teams. Five have already been confirmed, leaving only the LPL, LCK, and LCS without qualified representatives. However, playoffs in these three major regions are nearing their end. The next BO5 in both the LPL and LCS will be winners' bracket finals, and two teams will secure their MSI spots at that point.

So, who do you think will qualify for MSI first—WE or TES?

Feel free to leave your comments and discuss!