Will T1 Stay Together? Future of LoL World 2024 Champions

Fresh off their historic victory at the 2024 World Championships – an event that shattered esports viewership records with 6.9 million peak viewers – T1’s legendary roster now faces a crucial turning point. With four-player contracts expiring this month, the future of League of Legends’ most successful team hangs in the balance.

The Current State of T1

T1’s current roster, known as “ZOFGK,” consists of Zeus in the top lane, Oner in jungle, Faker holding mid-lane, Gumayusi as bot laner, and Keria in support. Together, they’ve achieved unprecedented success in competitive League of Legends, securing back-to-back World Championships in 2023 and 2024, and emerging victorious at the Esports World Cup 2024.

November 18, 2024, marks a critical date for T1. Four key players – Zeus, Oner, Gumayusi, and Keria – will become free agents. The only player confirmed to stay with T1 is their legendary mid-laner, Faker, whose contract extends until November 17, 2025.

During the record-breaking World Finals press conference, T1’s bot laner Gumayusi addressed the team’s future directly:

“I just think we’ve made so many great memories on this roster, and I love everyone on the team.”

While acknowledging potential changes, his statement suggests a strong preference for maintaining the current lineup.

Meanwhile, Faker has firmly dismissed retirement rumors. At the Worlds 2024 Media Day, before their victory over Bilibili Gaming, he stated:

“Even if I win this year, this is not my last shot. I will keep on working hard and doing my best.”

The Road Ahead for T1’s Roster

The growing global esports scene presents both opportunities and challenges for T1’s roster retention. The competitive landscape continues to evolve, with rising player salaries and team budgets becoming increasingly significant factors. Chinese organizations, known for making substantial offers, add another layer of complexity to the situation.

Beyond financial considerations, T1 must weigh the value of their established team synergy and marketing potential against long-term sustainability needs. The unprecedented success of the current roster, combined with their role in breaking viewership records, provides compelling reasons to maintain the lineup.