T1's 6th Crown & The Fall of LPL: A Tale of Two Regions
In a tournament defined by LCK dominance and LPL heartbreak, T1 secured their third consecutive World Championship title, cementing the greatest dynasty in esports history.
Prologue: The Collapse of LPL
The signs of disaster appeared early. In the Play-In Stage, LPL's 4th seed Invictus Gaming (iG) fell 1-3 to T1 (LCK #4), resulting in a humiliating early exit. iG finished 17th out of 17 teams, marking the first time an LPL team placed dead last at Worlds.
Swiss Stage Shock
The nightmare continued in the Swiss Stage. Bilibili Gaming (BLG), the LPL 1st seed and tournament favorite, imploded with a 2-3 record. Their premature elimination at 16th place stands as one of the worst performances by a major region's top seed in history.
Knockout Stage: Ice & Fire
LPL's "Final Four" Drought
The Quarterfinals sealed LPL's fate. Although AL and TES reached the top 8, they were systematically dismantled by T1 and GEN respectively. For the first time in years, no LPL team reached the Semifinals, leaving the home crowd in Chengdu to witness an all-LCK climax.
T1's Royal Road
T1 marched through the bracket with terrifying efficiency, crushing LPL hopes by eliminating AL and TES. Their path to the finals was a demonstration of perfect macro and mental fortitude.
KT's Miracle Run
KT Rolster (LCK #3) became the tournament's dark horse. They upset CFO and then stunned GEN in the Semifinals, defying all odds to set up a civil war final against T1.
The "Chovy" Dilemma
"Great in the league, invisible at Worlds."
In the Semifinal against KT, GEN's superstar mid laner Chovy once again faced criticism for fading in high-stakes international moments. His inability to translate domestic dominance into World Championship success—his recurring "demon"—was a key factor in GEN's upset loss and KT's miraculous ascension.
Key Moments: Defining Battles
T1 3-2 AL
QuarterfinalsThe final extinguishment of LPL's hope. AL fought T1 for 5 games again, pushing them to the edge. But T1 won with stable late-game macro, securing Hextech Soul, and winning with Milio & Ashe poke comp, ending LPL's advancement hopes.
KT 3-1 GEN
SemifinalsThe ultimate dark horse counterattack and proof of "demons". LCK #3 KT overturned GEN, who swept MSI & EWC and was the favorite. Veteran BDD burned himself to suppress "TOP1" Chovy, peaking the "overestimated" discussion and creating an LCK civil war final.
Grand Finals: The Dynasty Continues
In Chengdu, T1 defeated KT Rolster to claim their 6th World Championship and completed a historic "Three-Peat" (2023, 2024, 2025). The victory reasserted LCK's absolute rule over the Summoner's Rift.
Gumayusi
Lee Min-hyung AD Carry
The unwavering carry of T1. Gumayusi's performance in the finals was absolute perfection. His ability to output massive damage while surviving critical situations on Varus, Ashe, and Xayah secured T1's historic sixth title. In particular, his crucial Miss Fortune ultimate in the fifth game helped T1 secure victory in a key team fight.
GUMAYUSI
Bot Laner • T1
Consistent, clutch, and unshakeable. Gumayusi's performance in the finals was flawless, earning him the FMVP honors and solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest AD Carries of all time.
Final Standings
Season Summary
S15 concluded with LCK re-establishing total dominance, securing both finalist spots. Meanwhile, LPL suffered a historic regression, failing to place any team in the top 4.