In the LPL Demacia Cup, the quarterfinal teams are about to be decided. Currently, EDG with a 3-0 record in Group A has secured advancement. NIP, ranked fourth with a 1-2 record, can only reach a maximum of 2 points regardless of the last match outcome, unable to catch or surpass EDG. Meanwhile, IG, sitting second with a 2-1 record, is halfway through securing a spot in the third stage; winning the last game guarantees advancement, while losing still leaves some uncertainty.

Starting 0-2, WE must win the next two matches to stay in the game, otherwise they're practically eliminated. In Group B, OMG and LNG, both at 2-1, hold a strong advantage—one more win and they qualify. WBG and JDG, standing at 1-2, are in a risky position; losing one more match means elimination. BLG has two matches left and needs at least one win to stay in contention; to qualify safely, they must secure back-to-back wins against JDG and Weibo.

Faker's China tour tickets are sold out

Fresh from an exhibition match in Vietnam, Faker recently announced that on December 31st, he will hold a fan meet-up in Chengdu, China. Ticket prices are steep, with the cheapest stands at 1588 yuan and the most expensive reaching 6988 yuan. Tickets at this top tier likely include personal interaction with Faker, such as gaming sessions, autographs, or photos, otherwise the price would seem unjustified.

Despite the high ticket prices, they sold out immediately upon release. All ticket categories are now marked as out of stock. This is the influence of the number one LoL player, right? Tickets costing nearly 7000 yuan sold out instantly, showing that many fans in China are willing to spend. Plus, this is Faker’s first time meeting LPL fans after over a decade of popularity, so a quick sell-out is understandable.

Zhu Kai exposes IG’s tanking secrets

During this year’s LPL transfer window, the team most holding their breath was definitely IG. Even after the window closed, IG announced their roster slowly. With TheShy confirmed to rest next year, IG’s prospects look bleak. Initially, rumors said TheShy would only take a break after renewing his contract, but later it changed to no renewal and no play. What happened in between remains unknown.

However, Zhu Kai recently revealed some insider info during a livestream: TheShy didn’t renew because IG ran out of budget. They invested heavily last year but failed to recoup costs, gaining traffic but no money. That explains IG’s semi-tanking this transfer period. In contrast, teams like JDG, WBG, and BLG have big capital backing them, so even if they don’t profit, their teams serve to promote their platforms.

Big Brother Mystic finishes military service

Formerly the most handsome AD in the LPL, Big Brother Mystic returned to streaming after a long absence. Fans thought he had quit the scene, but he was actually serving in the military. Upon resuming streams, he shared his current situation: no place to live, staying at his younger brother’s place. His first on-camera appearance showed a scruffy beard and a weathered look, but after shaving, he looked much fresher. His looks really hold up well.

Once a top-tier player, Big Brother Mystic wasted a strong hand. He performed well in the LPL but caused a scandal with fans, leading to a complicated personal life. His ex-wife, fearing abandonment, used their child to force his return to the LCK. After going back, his skills declined sharply, he got worse and eventually unemployed. His wife filed for divorce, and negative rumors surfaced, damaging his reputation. Had he stayed in the LPL, he could have earned a fortune.

Conclusion:

Teams like IG find it hard to make money in today’s environment because LPL fans generally lack strong purchasing power. Teams backed by big sponsors like JDG and Top Esports can afford to lose money annually as a form of advertising. Individual owners can’t compete with big capital, so tanking is somewhat understandable.

So, what do you think—are Faker’s ticket prices too high?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments!