NAVER Partners with Riot Games to Expand eSports Content Ecosystem: Acquires LCK Broadcast Rights, Rebrands LoL PARK to CHZZK LoL PARK
NAVER Partners with Riot Games to Expand eSports Content Ecosystem: Acquires LCK Broadcast Rights, Rebrands LoL PARK to CHZZK LoL PARK
NAVER Partners with Riot Games to Expand eSports Content Ecosystem: Acquires LCK Broadcast Rights, Rebrands LoL PARK to CHZZK LoL PARK
- NAVER CHZZK secures exclusive broadcasting rights for the LCK and global leagues/tournaments from 2026 for five years, significantly expanding the eSports content ecosystem
- Official LCK stadium rebranded as “CHZZK LoL PARK” with expanded strategic collaboration through official sponsorship
December 16, 2025
NAVER is bolstering its competitiveness as a user-oriented streaming platform through a strategic partnership with the globally popular eSports league LCK and the broader LCK content ecosystem.
[Photo] On December 16, NAVER’s Sports & Entertainment Service Leader Joo Gun Bum (right) and Riot Games’s General Manager of APAC Publishing and Esports Oh Sanghun (left) met at LoL PARK in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to sign the “NAVER–Riot Games” strategic partnership.
On December 16, NAVER Corporation (CEO Choi Soo-yeon) announced that it has entered a five-year strategic agreement with Riot Games, running from 2026 to 2030. The deal includes broadcasting rights for major global leagues, such as the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), the League of Legends Pro League (LPL), and the League of Legends EMEA Championship (LEC); major international tournaments like the World Championship, the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), and First Stand; naming rights for LoL PARK; and official LCK sponsorship rights, signaling full-scale collaboration to expand the global eSports ecosystem.
Through this agreement, NAVER has secured the domestic broadcasting rights for the LCK for five years, starting in 2026. As an official sponsor and the exclusive streaming platform partner, NAVER plans to develop LCK IP-based content and launch online/offline promotional events.
Additionally, the LCK’s official stadium in Jongno-gu, Seoul, “LoL PARK,” will be renamed “CHZZK LoL PARK,” and this change will be reflected in NAVER Maps and other platform information. Inside the venue, CHZZK-branded seating zones will be established, along with a newly built CHZZK operations booth, offering fans an immersive on-site brand experience.
NAVER will also introduce a “Viewership Drops”* feature, a first in Korea, allowing users to link their NAVER/CHZZK accounts with their League of Legends (LoL) accounts to receive in-game rewards. The company is exploring synergistic integrations with services like NAVER Shopping, Booking, and Pay.
*Drops: An event where viewers can earn specific rewards by watching a particular match for a certain period
For 3 years from 2025 to 2027, NAVER CHZZK will exclusively stream the “Esports World Cup (EWC),” the world’s largest eSports tournament, in Korean. Through live coverage and co-streaming of flagship events, such as the LoL World Championship, NAVER continues to provide highly engaging viewing experiences.
To celebrate acquiring the LCK broadcast rights, NAVER is holding a promotional event through January 18. Users who follow the CHZZK LCK channel and enable notifications will all receive a free NPay Wallet Preseason Art, with a chance to win up to 50,000 NPay points through a lucky draw.
Joo Kun Bum, Leader of NAVER’s Sports & Entertainment Service, commented, “This partnership will invigorate the eSports ecosystem by combining NAVER’s content and community capabilities with globally recognized IP. We aim to expand a user-driven content ecosystem and create a unique NAVER-style eSports viewing experience.”
Oh Sanghun, Riot Games’s General Manager of APAC Publishing and Esports, added, “This partnership marks the beginning of NAVER and the LCK systematically enhancing the fan experience. By combining NAVER’s technological and service capabilities with the globally beloved LCK, we expect to create meaningful changes to the league’s ecosystem.” (End)
