T1 Esports Academy reaches LCK Challengers League grand finals

By Khal · · 1 min read

Editorial illustration: Five players in matching red and black shirts walk up a ramp toward a brightly lit trophy, with gaming stations to the left and spectators in the background.
AI-generated editorial illustration · AI-generated editorial illustration · Published Sep 10, 2026, 12:54 p.m. (2 hours ago)

In brief

  • T1 EA defeated DK Challengers 3-1 in LCK CL upper bracket on September 8
  • DK Challengers advances through lower bracket in double-elimination format
  • T1 EA one series win away from claiming LCK Challengers League title
  • Grand finals scheduled for September 15 with opponent to be determined

Academy as Pipeline

T1's academy program has long functioned as one of the most effective player development systems in professional League of Legends. The organization's main roster, which has claimed multiple World Championship titles, regularly pulls from its Challengers League squad when rotation or roster upgrades are needed. This creates a clear pathway for young talent to develop at the highest level before stepping into the main LCK.

The LCK Challengers League exists to give young Korean players structured, high-level competitive experience before they potentially step into the main LCK. Every major LCK organization fields an academy roster, creating a parallel competitive ecosystem that feeds the world's most dominant League of Legends region.

Road to the Finals

The LCK Challengers League playoffs use a double-elimination format, which means T1 EA's upper bracket win gives them a significant advantage heading into the finals. DK Challengers, the academy arm of LCK organization Dplus KIA, aren't eliminated from title contention — they'll compete in the lower bracket for a second shot at the trophy.

The 2026 LCK CL season has been running since March 30, with the grand finals scheduled for September 15. The grand finals opponent is yet to be determined, as the lower bracket still needs to play out before September 15.

This isn't T1 EA's first finals appearance this year. During the LCK CL Kickoff earlier in the year, the squad reached the finals before falling 1-3 to Nongshim Esports Academy. The team's return to the grand finals underscores the consistency of their developmental pipeline.

The total prize pool sits at approximately ₩87.5 million, which translates to roughly $65,380.

Related stories