T1 “saves” Riot and the LCK organizers
As we know, in the final match of the entire League of Legends world before entering Worlds 2024, T1 achieved a dramatic victory over KT Rolster, thus securing the last spot to participate in Worlds 2024. Without discussing how T1 will perform in the upcoming tournament, many viewers believe that after T1 secured their spot in the biggest LoL tournament of the year, Riot was the first to feel relieved. Because, there are not many examples needed, everyone knows that T1 has been Riot’s “view magnet” for many years.
A prime example is during the recent final qualifying match of the LCK regional qualifiers, the T1 – KT match garnered over 1.8 million views at its peak across all platforms tracked by Esports Chart (excluding Chinese broadcasting platforms). For those who may not know, including playoffs, the T1 – KT match even had more views than the finals between Gen.G and Hanwha Life Esports.
Both matches in the regional qualifiers with views exceeding 1 million featured T1. Specifically, the T1 – DK match had peak views nearly 3 times that of the BNK FearX – KT match.
The LoL community and LPL also “benefit” from T1’s victory
Perhaps everyone understands that Worlds 2024 might lose some of its appeal if T1 could not participate from the start to defend their championship title. At Worlds 2023, T1’s matches claimed all top 3 positions for the highest view counts. Specifically, the final match between T1 and Weibo Gaming was the highest viewed match in the history of Worlds. Notably, it was just a one-sided match that ended quickly after 3 games.
Even rival teams from the LPL have somewhat “benefited” from T1’s participation in Worlds 2024. As we know, last year at Worlds, T1 defeated all 4 LPL teams on their journey. This year, Top Esports has replaced JD Gaming, while the other 3 teams remain present. For LPL fans, winning Worlds is, of course, an important mission. However, on that journey, defeating T1 to “avenge” last year also carries significant meaning. It’s no coincidence that Bin is eager to face T1 again at Worlds 2024 after winning the LPL Summer 2024 with BLG.
It can be said that T1’s qualification for Worlds 2024 has met the expectations of a large number of LoL fans worldwide, not just T1 fans. And if this year, Faker and his teammates can replicate another “miraculous journey”, it will truly be a “blockbuster” that even the most optimistic T1 fans might not dare to dream of at this moment. But as the match hasn’t started yet, anything can happen.