T1 vs HLE Sets Record Viewership for LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2
As is well known, in recent years, HLE has heavily invested in their League of Legends team and quickly achieved several successes with their “all-star” rosters. However, more significant goals like MSI and Worlds have so far eluded the “Orange House.” Nevertheless, they continue to prove their influence and reputation in the League of Legends scene. This season, HLE, together with T1, created a massive viewership milestone during the LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2 group stage.
Specifically, the match between T1 and HLE recorded the highest viewership so far for the LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2 group stage. The peak concurrent viewers for this matchup reached over 1.2 million, excluding views from Chinese platforms. Given their previous encounters and the “transfer saga” tensions between the two teams, T1 and HLE are emerging as the new “Super Classic” rivalry in Korean and global League of Legends.
Furthermore, according to Esports Charts, HLE and T1 are the only two teams appearing in the top three matches with the highest viewership during the LCK 2026 Rounds 1-2 group stage so far. This indicates that in terms of reputation, HLE has become a strong contender against T1. While they may lack a player like Faker or a long history of achievements, they are not far behind T1.
Upcoming T1 vs HLE Matches Will Remain Highly Anticipated
With long-term contracts signed with current superstars, HLE demonstrates a commitment to building an “all-star” roster for the long run. This also reflects their goal of enhancing their reputation and brand image, with players like Gumayusi and Zeus forming the core both in terms of skill and recognition.