T1 to miss First Stand after dramatic elimination from the LCK Cup 2026

T1 may be one of the most clutch teams in LoL esports history, but the reverse was true this time around.

Despite heading into their match against Dplus KIA as the heavy favorites and standing on the brink of a clean win, T1 now see themselves eliminated from the 2026 LCK Cup Playoffs by way of nothing other than a reverse sweep. Their elimination means that Faker and T1 will miss First Stand for the second year running, and have yet to experience Riot's newest tournament addition firsthand.

T1's Journey: Goodbye First Stand

Though it's not exactly customary for T1, the reigning World Champions showed terrific form to start the season. Before the playoffs, T1 breezed through the Group Stage at this year's LCK Cup, finishing with a spotless 5-0 match record. And yet, things quickly took a turn for the worse once the playoffs bracket kicked off.

The team first received a shock in their opening match of the playoffs when BNK FEARX dropped T1 to the Lower Bracket, where they would need to get back into shape or risk elimination at the slightest misstep.

For a moment, it looked like T1 would turn things around. Against Dplus KIA, the team rammed through the opposition during the first two games of the series without much pushback. 2-0 up and looking firmly in control, this was T1's series to lose; and that is precisely when things started going wrong.

Dropping the Ball

The third and fourth games of the series were both hard-fought, and at times messy affairs. Despite constantly trading blows, DK managed to come out ahead in crucial teamfights across both games, sending shivers down the spines of T1 fans everywhere. The 2-0 lead was gone, and it all came down to the final fifth game.

After an even early game, DK's double-ADC composition started to pull out ahead towards the mid-to-late-game. Securing objective after objective for themselves, DK ultimately slammed T1 in the final teamfight once more to march down the enemy base and ensure Faker and co. would miss First Stand — again.

T1 had not been on the receiving end of a reverse sweep since 2016, and this one couldn't have come at a worse time.

Moving On

Though this is a crushing blow for T1, it may also serve as a wake up call. The amount of talent on the roster is indescribable; that much we all know. Now, though, it's time for T1 and their coaching staff to go back to the drawing board before the 2026 LCK Season kicks off in April.

DK, meanwhile, are just one match away from securing their spot at First Stand 2026. After their marathonic match against T1, DK will get a few days to reboot before they take on BNK FEARX on Saturday, February 28, to decide who will join Gen.G as the two LCK representatives at First Stand.

Follow Strafe Esports for the latest League of Legends news and our X account for the latest content and coverage. Also, stay tuned to Strafe's channel on YouTube for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and more.

Featured image credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

Gen.G Emerges as First Team to Qualify for First Stand 2026

G2 and Quickshot combine to create new HopEUm podcast: "To celebrate the uniqueness of the LEC"