T1 Academy Wins Inaugural World Star Challengers Invitational

T1 Academy has won the inaugural World Star Challengers Invitational (WSCI), defeating French team Solary 3-2 in an intense five-game final. The tournament marked T1's first League of Legends World Championship victory since the departure of Lee 'Faker' Sang-hyeok, with the academy squad stepping up to claim the crown.

The WSCI brought together academy and Tier 2 teams from across Korea, China, EMEA, North America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Brazil. Solary entered the final as tournament favorites, having dropped only one game prior, but T1's 17-year-old AD carry Kim 'Eclipse' Min-jun delivered standout performances in Games 4 and 5 to turn the tide. Eclipse was named Finals MVP for his efforts.

Both WSCI semifinals and the final featured a French LFL team against a Korean LCK CL team. Solary had previously swept Asia Masters 2026 champions DN SOOPers Challengers in the semifinals, while T1 Academy overcame NA's Cupid Esports and former LCS midlaner Nicholas 'Ablazeolive' Abbott before defeating Galions en route to the final.

Solary, Galions, and Movistar KOI Fénix will now compete in EMEA Masters Summer 2026 under a new format that allows WSCI teams to face bottom Swiss teams for a direct place into the Knockouts. The result raises questions about whether Riot Games will continue to host WSCI as a tier 2 World Championship event.

Meanwhile, South Korea completed a flawless run to win the League of Legends tournament at the Asian Games 2026, with Faker, Zeus, and Keria securing their second Asian Games Gold without dropping a single game.