On November 9, the stage is set for one of the biggest showdowns in League of Legends history. T1 and KT Rolster — two of South Korea’s most iconic teams — will battle it out in the grand final of the 2025 World Championship. It’s not just a fight for the crown, but the latest chapter in one of esports’ most legendary rivalries: the Telecom War.
From StarCraft to League of Legends: How It All Began
To really get why this matchup means so much, you’ve got to go back to the early 2000s — when professional gaming was just taking off in South Korea. Back then, both T1 and KT Rolster were pioneers, and their rivalry first sparked in StarCraft: Brood War, a game that turned pro players into national superstars.
Esports was exploding across Korea, and major companies wanted in. One of them was Korea Telecom (KT), which launched its own team under the name KTF MagicNs — the early version of KT Rolster.
KTF’s lineup was stacked with legends like Hong “YellOw” Jin-Ho, Park “Reach” Jeong Seok, and Kang “Nal_rA” Min — names that once drew stadium-sized crowds. Backed by serious corporate funding, KTF became known as the “Real Madrid of esports,” signing the best talent money could buy.
Then came the challenger: SK Telecom. Led by the iconic Lim “BoxeR” Yo Hwan — the Terran genius who redefined competitive gaming — SKT1 (now T1) became KTF’s biggest rival. Their matches were fierce, their fanbases massive, and their clashes set the stage for what would be known as the Telecom Wars — a battle between South Korea’s two telecom giants, fought not in boardrooms, but on digital battlefields.
Over the years, the rivalry evolved — through roster changes, rebrands, and even new games. When League of Legends took over as Korea’s top esport, the Telecom War found a new home. Today, it’s not just a matchup; it’s a legacy built on decades of history, emotion, and pride.
The Rivalry Lives On in League of Legends
In League of Legends, the feud between T1 and KT Rolster remains as fiery as ever. They’re the only two organizations that have played continuously in the LCK since its debut in 2015 — and every clash between them feels personal.
But their paths have been very different. T1 has been a global powerhouse: multiple LCK titles, two Mid-Season Invitational trophies, and an unmatched five Worlds championships. KT, meanwhile, has struggled to reach those heights. Before this season, they had only reached Worlds three times, never making it past the quarterfinals.
That’s part of what makes this year so special for KT Rolster. Reaching the 2025 Worlds Grand Final is the biggest achievement in the organization’s history — and the fact that they’re facing their oldest rival only adds fuel to the fire.
T1, of course, has often been the roadblock in KT’s way. Over the years, T1 has crushed KT’s international dreams time and time again — from the 2015 LCK Summer Final to the 2017 Spring and Summer splits. Between 2020 and 2025, the two teams have faced off 31 times, with T1 dominating 24 of those matches.
For KT, this isn’t just about the title. It’s about revenge. About breaking a curse that’s haunted them for more than a decade.
The Road to Worlds 2025: Two Very Different Journeys
Few were surprised to see T1 make the Worlds final — after all, Faker and his squad have made it look routine. KT Rolster, though, was a different story.
KT’s road was surprisingly smooth. They cruised through the Swiss Stage with wins over KOI and Secret Whales, then clinched a Knockout Stage spot by defeating China’s Top Esports Gaming. After breezing past CTBC Flying Oyster, KT pulled off a massive upset in the semifinals, taking down Gen.G — the tournament favorite and Korea’s strongest team.
T1’s run, on the other hand, was anything but easy. They nearly missed Worlds entirely, barely qualifying through the Play-Ins after a close win over Invictus Gaming. In the Swiss Stage, they started strong against FlyQuest but stumbled with losses to CTBC Flying Oyster and Gen.G, leaving fans worried.
Just when it looked like their run was over, T1 bounced back — taking out 100 Thieves and KOI to stay alive. Even in the Knockout Stage, they had to dig deep, surviving a nail-biter against China’s Anyone’s Legend before comfortably defeating Top Esports in the semifinals.
Who Will Take the Crown?
So, who’s going to win it all?
On paper, history favors T1 — a team that’s made the Worlds stage its home. But KT Rolster’s underdog run has already defied every expectation. Maybe this is the moment they finally rewrite the script — when the old giant falls and the curse breaks.
One thing’s certain: when T1 and KT Rolster step onto the stage for the 2025 Worlds Grand Final, it won’t just be a match. It’ll be the next chapter in a 20-year story — one that’s defined the very soul of Korean esports.
The grand final kicks off November 9 at 7:00 a.m. GMT. Fans can catch the action live and follow real-time stats on the Esports Charts event page
