In a spectacular display of skill, determination, and legacy-making gameplay, T1 has once again etched their name into esports history by clinching their fifth League of Legends World Championship title. The grand finals, held at London’s prestigious O2 Arena, not only showcased exceptional gameplay but also shattered multiple viewership records, making it the most-watched esports event in history.
Epic Five-Game Finals
The championship match between T1 and Bilibili Gaming was nothing short of a thriller, with both teams pushing each other to their absolute limits in a nail-biting best-of-five series. The match began with Bilibili Gaming drawing first blood, only to have T1 equalize in the second game. The Chinese squad then pushed T1 to the brink by securing game three, putting themselves just one victory away from what would have been their first world title.
However, T1 demonstrated why they’re considered the greatest team in League of Legends history. With their backs against the wall, they mounted an impressive comeback in game four, despite falling behind early. The series culminated in a decisive game five victory for T1, securing their fifth world championship title and further cementing their legacy in the esports world.
Record-Breaking Viewership
The 2024 World Championship final didn’t just make history on the competitive front – it obliterated previous viewership records in esports. The series peaked at an astronomical 6.94 million concurrent viewers during the final game, making it just the second esports tournament ever to surpass the 6 million mark. The English broadcast alone nearly reached 2 million viewers, showing an 8.37% increase from the previous year’s numbers.
The tournament’s popularity reached new heights across multiple regions:
- Vietnamese viewers set a new national esports record with 1.11 million peak viewers
- CHZZK, the Korean streaming platform, achieved a new record with 297,000 peak viewers
- Multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Swedish, and Czech, hit new milestone numbers
- Portuguese and French broadcasts set new League of Legends viewership records
Faker: The Undisputed GOAT
The tournament’s most compelling narrative centered around Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time. This victory marked Faker’s fifth world championship title, and his performance throughout the series, particularly in the crucial fourth game, proved why he continues to be the face of professional League of Legends.
In game four, with T1 facing elimination, Faker demonstrated his legendary playmaking abilities on Sylas. A crucial play at the 20-minute mark, where he stole Rakan’s ultimate ability and executed a perfect engagement, turned the tide of the series. His performance earned him the Finals MVP award – remarkably, only his second such honor, with his first coming back in 2016.
When asked about his motivation after 11 years of professional play, Faker’s response reflected his humble character: “My biggest motivation is my fans because I believe spreading positive energy and influence to my fans is the most important thing to me. That’s always my biggest goal.”
T1’s Road to Victory
T1’s journey through the tournament was impressive, though not without its challenges. They finished the Swiss stage in third place, where they had their first encounter with Bilibili Gaming in a best-of-one match. Their playoff run included a commanding 3-0 victory over Top Esports in the quarter-finals and a 3-1 win against their Korean rivals Gen.G Esports in the semifinals.
The victory earned T1 a prize of $445,000, though the prestige of the title far outweighs the monetary reward. This championship is particularly special as it marks T1’s second consecutive world title, a feat they first accomplished nearly a decade ago under the SK Telecom T1 banner.
The Global Impact
The tournament’s success wasn’t limited to just the gameplay and viewership numbers. The event demonstrated the truly global nature of League of Legends esports, with fans from around the world engaging across multiple platforms. On Twitch, Faker’s name was mentioned 23,600 times during the finals, with the word “GOAT” appearing over 4,400 times, showing the community’s recognition of his legendary status.
Looking Forward
This victory not only adds another chapter to T1’s illustrious history but also raises the bar for competitive League of Legends. The team’s ability to maintain their dominance with the same roster that finished second in 2022 before winning back-to-back championships in 2023 and 2024 speaks volumes about their excellence and consistency.
The 2024 World Championship has set new standards for what’s possible in esports, both in terms of competitive achievement and viewer engagement. As the dust settles on this historic event, the League of Legends community celebrates not just T1’s victory, but also the continued growth and evolution of their beloved esport.
For Faker and T1, this victory is another brilliant chapter in their storied legacy. As Faker himself said when asked what he would tell his 2016 self: “Go ahead and have fun” – a simple yet powerful message that encapsulates the joy and passion that continues to drive professional League of Legends forward.
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