T1 (esports)
South Korean esports organization with record five Worlds titles.
T1, originally called SK Telecom T1 (or SKT T1), is a South Korean esports organization run by T1 Entertainment & Sports—a joint venture between SK Telecom and Comcast Spectacor. The team’s roots trace back to 2002, when StarCraft player Lim "BoxeR" Yo-hwan founded Team Orion, which became 4 Union in December 2003. In April 2004, SK Telecom stepped in as sponsor, officially launching SK Telecom T1. The League of Legends division holds a record five World Championship wins (2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024) and a record ten LCK titles.
- known_for
- Record five League of Legends World Championship titles
Lore & Background
The organization began in 2002 when StarCraft player Lim 'BoxeR' Yo-hwan founded Team Orion, which became 4 Union in December 2003. On April 13, 2004, SK Telecom sponsored the team with US$2 million, creating SK Telecom T1. By May 2005, it was estimated to have earned $15 million worth of market effects. In 2016, SKT closed its StarCraft II division after KeSPA announced the discontinuation of Proleague. In 2018, SK Telecom T1 expanded into Hearthstone and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, and by 2019 it owned teams in at least eight games including Fortnite, Dota 2, Super Smash Bros., and Apex Legends. In October 2019, the organization rebranded to T1 after SK Telecom and Comcast Spectacor partnered to create T1 Entertainment & Sports, with Joe Marsh named CEO. League of Legends player Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok became a part-owner in February 2020. On March 9, 2020, T1 signed its first Valorant player. On May 6, 2024, the Esports World Cup Foundation announced T1 as one of 30 organizations in the World Cup Club Support Program.
Reader's Guide
T1's significance in esports is defined by its unprecedented success in League of Legends, holding a record six World Championship titles (2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, 2024, 2025) and ten LCK championships. The organization's League of Legends journey began in December 2012 when SK Telecom acquired the roster of Eat Sleep Game, creating SK Telecom T1 S, followed by SK Telecom T1 K in February 2013. After Riot Games changed team regulations in 2014 to allow only one team per organization per league, the two squads merged. T1 won back-to-back Mid-Season Invitational titles in 2016 and 2017, and added an Esports World Cup title in 2024 and a KeSPA Cup in 2025. The team's 2022 LCK Spring season saw an undefeated 18–0 regular season record, a first since the league's inception. T1's legacy is also tied to player Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok, who became a part-owner in 2020 and was named finals MVP at the 2024 World Championship. The organization's rebranding in 2019 under a joint venture with Comcast Spectacor marked a new era, expanding its reach across multiple esports titles.
Did You Know?
- The team that would become T1 was originally founded in 2002 by StarCraft player Lim 'BoxeR' Yo-hwan under the name Team Orion.
- SK Telecom invested US$2 million to sponsor the team on April 13, 2004, officially creating SK Telecom T1.
- T1's League of Legends team won its fourth World Championship in 2023, the first in seven years, defeating Weibo Gaming 3–0 in Seoul.
- In the 2022 LCK Spring, T1 went undefeated in the regular season with an 18–0 record, the first team to achieve this since the league's inception.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is T1 (esports)?
T1 is a South Korean esports organization operating under the umbrella of T1 Entertainment & Sports, a joint venture between SK Telecom and Comcast Spectacor. In the Smash Bros. community, T1 is listed as a player sponsor providing support to competitive fighters.
How did T1 get started?
The organization's lineage begins in 2002 when StarCraft player Lim 'BoxeR' Yo-hwan founded Team Orion, which was renamed 4 Union in December 2003. SK Telecom stepped in as title sponsor in April 2004, officially launching SK Telecom T1, a name that later shortened to just T1.
What is T1 most known for?
T1 holds a record five League of Legends World Championship titles, captured in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024. They also hold a record ten LCK league championships, cementing their status as one of the most decorated esports organizations ever.
Why is T1 important to the Smash Bros. scene?
As a player sponsor, T1 extends its international esports infrastructure and brand backing to competitive Smash fighters. Their involvement demonstrates that a top-tier multi-title organization sees value in investing across the broader competitive gaming landscape, including Smash.
Who owns and operates T1?
T1 is run through T1 Entertainment & Sports, a joint venture pairing South Korea's SK Telecom with the American company Comcast Spectacor. This structure gives the organization both Korean and North American business resources to support its various competitive divisions.
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