HLE Faces Expected Challenges on Road to MSI 2026
After their victory over BRO, HLE maintained their top spot and advanced to Road to MSI 2026 as the number one seed. They will face T1, who have been in impressive form—except for a loss against HLE in the second round, T1 has won eight straight matches, including against their main rival Gen.G. However, it is precisely this opponent that has many viewers, especially T1 fans, concerned for “the Orange”.
This concern stems from last year’s Road to MSI, when HLE, full of momentum and finishing the group stage in a similar top 1-2 position (2nd place), then lost six consecutive games and ended their hopes of attending MSI 2025. While Gen.G executed a “Reverse Sweep,” T1 defeated HLE with a clean 3-0.
Historically, HLE has rarely lost to T1 since the 2024 season, but when they do, it’s usually in crucial matches. Previously, that included the LCK Spring 2024 lower bracket, which cost “the Orange” their spot at MSI that year. Although “T1 Spring” might not be overwhelmingly strong or unpredictable, they always find ways to trouble HLE.
Both HLE and T1 Must Stay Fully Focused
With Gen.G finishing 3rd in the group stage and dropping to the lower bracket, they are only two BO5 matches away from an MSI 2026 spot. Therefore, neither HLE nor T1 can afford complacency, especially “the Orange,” who have long been seen as cursed when it comes to securing their place in Riot’s second major international event.
Recently, T1 has often “tested limits” with their own players, and several times this nearly led to T1’s defeat. However, HLE is a completely different opponent, and once they gain an advantage, they will not allow T1 the chance to “turn the tables” like in previous matches against KT or BNK.