Riot Games to Introduce Live Coaching for League of Legends in LCP and LCK 2026

In the world of League of Legends esports, coaches have often been the unsung heroes, crafting strategies from the shadows to lead their teams to victory. That’s about to change, as the developer gears up to test a new Coach Comms feature early next year, putting their tactical insights front and center.

Kicking off with the LCP Split 1 and the group stages of the LCK Cup 2026, Coach Comms will allow teams to utilize a dedicated coach for live match broadcasts. Each team can deploy this feature up to three times per game, with each communication lasting 45 seconds, all while the match continues without interruptions.

Unlike the strategic pauses seen in games like VALORANT, Coach Comms will occur during active gameplay, keeping the opposing team in the dark about when these communications take place. Coaches will be confined to a specific area with a limited view, mirroring that of the players, and they won’t be able to communicate externally until the match concludes or they exhaust their Coach Comms uses.

Teams will have the option to decide before the match whether to implement this feature, making participation voluntary. This innovation is set to transform how teams handle drafts and adapt mid-game strategies.

Traditionally, coaches have played a crucial role during the draft and provided feedback between matches. With this new feature, they can directly influence the game’s pace by communicating with players during critical moments, especially during objective fights.

Importantly, the audio from Coach Comms will not be broadcasted to fans, ensuring that it remains a strategic advantage rather than a spectator element during the initial testing phase.

Regional leagues will gather feedback from players, coaches, and fans throughout this trial to assess the potential for a broader rollout. For now, the feature will be exclusive to the LCK Cup and LCP, with no plans for its inclusion in global League events.