The 2025 League of Legends World Championship concluded yesterday in a dramatic five-game series, culminating in a dominant final game from T1, now six-time world champions after completing a ‘three-peat’, having won the tournament in each of its last three editions.
Both T1 and the tournament runners-up, KT Rolster, are South Korean teams with wholly Korean rosters and support staff. The region has been incredibly dominant since League of Legends’ Korean server launched in late 2011. Ten of the fourteen editions of the League of Legends World Championship have been won by Korean teams.
Korean Dominance Continues
Following T1’s triumph, South Korean president Lee Jae-myung passionately congratulated both teams in an official post.
“Congratulations on the first-ever Worlds three-peat,” the post opens. “Heartfelt congratulations to the T1 players and staff for achieving the first three consecutive victories at the 2025 League of Legends World Championship.”
T1 (and its predecessor SK Telecom T1) won the World Championships in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The team’s captain and mid-laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok has played for T1 since its inception in 2013.
“It is a feat that will be remembered in esports history. You have shone the name of the Republic of Korea on the world stage and once again proved the strength of our nation as an esports powerhouse. We are truly proud,” the statement continues.
“Your solid teamwork, mental fortitude beyond limits, and drive for victory moved fans not only in Korea but across the globe. We will continue to actively support the development of esports and the cultural industry so that our players can freely pursue their dreams and continue their passion.”
Esports are far more culturally significant in South Korea than in any other nation. The popularity of Starcraft: Brood War in the 1990s led Korea to set up a state body, the Korea E-Sports Association (KeSPA), to manage the budding industry. Brood War was broadcast on public television in the ’90s, far sooner than any other nation was giving esports any significant attention.
“We salute T1’s great run and vigorously cheer you on as you write new history and legend. Though KT Rolster unfortunately finished as runners-up, we also send warm applause for showing a wonderful fight all the way to the fifth and final match,” the post concludes.
T1 and KT Rolster are engaged in a rivalry known as the ‘Telecom Wars’ because both KT (Korea Telecom) Rolster and T1 (formerly known as South Korea Telecom T1) are owned by rival telecommunication companies. T1 has historically gotten the better of KT over the last twelve years, with yesterday’s final being another chapter in a book of disappointment for KT fans.
League of Legends
- Released
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October 27, 2009
- ESRB
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T for Teen: Blood, Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Engine
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Proprietary
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