The legend continues. South Korea’s T1 has once again seized the Summoner’s Cup, marking their fifth World Championship win after an intense showdown against Bilibili Gaming (BLG) at the 2024 League of Legends Worlds. This victory was not only a historic achievement for T1 but also solidified Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok’s legacy as the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), with a record-breaking fifth title. The team, crowned champions in a tight 3-2 series, has now built a second dynasty under Faker’s command, proving once again that they’re a force both timeless and tenacious in LoL esports.

The path to glory, however, was anything but easy. T1’s performance in the LCK summer split left them clinging to Worlds qualification as the fourth seed. But once they hit the Worlds stage, T1 transformed, finishing the Swiss Stage with a decisive 3-1 record. In the Knockout Stage, T1 first swept China’s Top Esports 3-0, then accomplished the unthinkable by taking down Gen.G—a team they hadn’t beaten all year—with a 3-1 victory. Meanwhile, China’s top seed, BLG, powered through their own obstacles, overcoming a shaky start to reach their first-ever Worlds grand finals by dismantling Hanwha Life Esports and Weibo Gaming in dominant showdowns.

The finals were a nail-biter from start to finish. BLG’s early-game aggression set the tone, with Zhuo “knight” Ding and Zhao “Elk” Jia-Hao taking control and punishing T1’s bot lane to clinch the opening game. T1 responded in the second game, deploying a lethal Ornn and Nocturne combination to crush BLG’s map control and tie the series. The third game saw BLG exploiting T1’s mistakes and winning with a clear 17-3 kill lead, setting themselves up for match point.

But T1’s resilience kicked in. Game four saw Faker’s Sylas pulling off a game-changing play that swung momentum back to T1, pushing the series to the deciding game. In the climactic fifth game, both teams fought intensely, yet it was Faker’s Galio that ultimately secured T1’s victory, finishing off BLG’s nexus and bringing the Summoner’s Cup back to South Korea. With this win, T1 pocketed US$445,000 and the coveted chance to immortalize their champions in custom skins, a longstanding LoL tradition.

As T1 celebrated, the post-match press conference offered a glimpse into the team’s aspirations. Choi “Zeus” Woo-je, Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun, and Lee “Gumayusi ” Min-hyung all expressed a hunger for further milestones, with Zeus confidently stating, “I don’t even need new motivation—I still want more.” Jungle Oner spoke about striving for a Worlds MVP title, while Gumayusi dreams of reaching new heights in his career. Faker, however, was focused on the fans, revealing his intent to choose a fan-favourite champion for his next Worlds skin and describing his most iconic moment—a Sylas play in Game 4—as one of his proudest.

Worlds Skins?

Each player also hinted at their skin choices: Zeus is eyeing Gragas, Camille, or Ornn; Oner is leaning toward Vi or Xin Zhao; and Ryu “Keria” Min-seok, who has yet to settle, is considering his signature Renata Glasc or Pyke. Faker, still undecided, promised that his pick would delight fans, reinforcing the bond between T1’s players and their global supporters. Coach Kim “kkOma” Jeong-gyun praised his “legendary” squad, summing up their season as one defined by “exceptional talent in every position.”

The day ended with an exhausted but ecstatic T1 basking in their victory—though the future of this lineup remains uncertain. With four out of five player contracts soon to expire, T1 faces the possibility of significant roster changes. But for now, the 2024 Summoner’s Cup resides in T1’s hands, and they’ll carry their legacy into the next season as one of League of Legends’ most celebrated teams. The only question left is, will they make it six in 2025?