Faker Aims for Historic Sixth Championship at League of Legends Worlds

CHENGDU, China — South Korean esports superstar Faker is on the verge of making history this weekend at the 2025 League of Legends World Championship. Known as Lee Sang-hyeok, Faker is aiming to secure his unprecedented sixth title as he leads his team, T1, against kt Rolster, which is competing in its first final.

The championship match will take place on Sunday, and the winning team will receive $5 million, as well as additional earnings from specially designed in-game items known as skins. This year’s tournament also celebrates the 15th anniversary of the League of Legends Worlds.

In a recent interview, Faker reflected on his journey and the significance of the tournament. “I can’t just pick one favorite memory,’’ he said through a representative. “All the times at Worlds are memorable for me.” With five previous championship wins under his belt—including titles in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024—Faker’s dominance has established him as a key figure in esports.

Emily Rand, a broadcast analyst for Worlds, praised Faker’s resilience. “A lot of people assume that Faker has just been consistently the best — and he hasn’t,” Rand explained. “There’s a resiliency in having these low points and being able to pick yourself up.”

Regardless of the tournament’s outcome, Faker expresses gratitude for the opportunity. “It’s unbelievable to think that it is the 15th anniversary, and it is great to have the opportunity to be one of the teams at Worlds this year,” he added.

As the tournament grows, so does the international audience. The first Worlds competition in 2011 attracted just 1 million viewers, while recent years have seen nearly 50 million peak viewers. According to Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill, Faker’s influence on the scene is unparalleled. “He’s humble and likable and a good teammate,” Merrill said, highlighting the importance of personal qualities in esports.

David “Phreak” Turley, an early shoutcaster for the League of Legends, reminisced about the modest beginnings of Worlds, which originated in a less glamorous setting. “It was a functional aircraft hangar,” he recalled. “There’s not a lot of bright lights. So, it definitely had basement vibes.”

The current stage is set for what promises to be an exciting match this Sunday, as Faker looks to add to his legacy in front of a global audience.