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Riot Games has officially confirmed a major shift coming to competitive League of Legends, with both the LCK and the newly formed LCP testing real-time coach communication during matches from 2026. Called Coach Comms, the feature marks the first time in LoL esports history that coaches will be able to speak directly to players while the game is in progress.

The LCK will roll out the feature at the 2026 LCK Cup group stage in January, while the LCP will pilot it throughout Split 1, beginning January 16. Although Coach Comms will only appear in select regions for now, the move signals a major evolution in how teams approach competitive play.

A New Era of Live Strategy in LoL Esports

Traditionally, League of Legends teams lose access to their coaches the moment draft ends. From that point on, tactical decisions, macro calls, and late game adaptations fall entirely to the players. Coaches can only review replays after the match, long after the result is already locked in.

Coach Comms aims to bridge that gap. By allowing coaches to deliver real-time instructions, Riot hopes to elevate match quality, sharpen team decision-making, and give fans a fresh angle on competitive strategy.

Other esports such as Counter-Strike and Rocket League already use mid-game timeouts, but Riot is taking a different approach. Instead of stopping the action, Coach Comms will operate without pausing the game, keeping the flow of LoL matches intact.

How Coach Comms Works

Both the LCK and LCP versions of Coach Comms follow the same core rules:

• Three activations per game
• Each activation lasts 45 seconds
• Requests must be made through approved equipment
• No pausing, stalling, or slowing the match
• Coaches only see the same POV as players
• No external communication until the game ends

Teams must decide before the game loads whether they want to use the system. Once confirmed, the choice cannot be changed mid-match.

Key Differences Between the LCK and LCP

Although the feature is similar across both leagues, there are a few notable differences:

LCK: Coach Voice

  • Up to two staff members may speak during the 45-second window.
  • Used live while the match continues.
  • Teams must confirm usage before the match.
  • The league will analyse its impact before deciding on long-term adoption.

LCP: Coach Comms

  • Only one nominated coach is permitted to speak during a match.
  • The nominated coach must stay in the designated Coach Comms area once draft ends, and cannot return if they leave for any reason.
  • Teams may switch the nominated coach only after each game.
  • Will be tested during Split 1’s regular season before review.

Opposing teams will not be notified when Coach Comms is activated, keeping the tactical element private between the coach and their players.

Why Riot Is Testing Coach Comms

The upgrade aims to give teams a way to respond to the fast pace of modern LoL. With real-time guidance, coaches can help teams avoid costly misreads, pull off cleaner objective setups, or adjust their plans when the game goes off script.

For viewers, this change could mean closer games, smarter macro, and a deeper level of team coordination. Riot also sees it as an opportunity to explore new ways of engaging fans, though Coach Comms audio will not be broadcast during the pilot.

The publisher plans to gather feedback from players, coaches, fans, and tournament operators before deciding whether to expand the system further. At this stage, Riot has confirmed that Coach Comms will not be used at international events, at least for now.

What This Means for the Future of Esports

Introducing live coaching could reshape competitive League of Legends. It brings LoL closer to traditional sports, where coaches regularly guide teams during play, and could have major implications for how squads draft, train, and execute their strategies.

If the pilot succeeds in the LCK and LCP, fans may see the feature adopted by other top leagues such as the LEC and LCS, and possibly global tournaments later on.

For now, all eyes will be on the LCK Cup and LCP Split 1 in early 2026 as Riot tests one of the most ambitious rule changes the esport has seen in years.