T1 targets $1bn valuation, plans to leverage Faker and EWC expansion

Naerlyn Published April 30, 2026

T1’s chief operating officer Josh Woongki Ahn has stated that the organization’s goal is to reach a billion-dollar valuation, per a report by Sheep Esports. Currently, it values itself at around $200 million.

T1 plans on making use of Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok’s aura to bring in new audiences, and to diversify their games thanks to the Esports World Cup (EWC).

T1’s plans for billion-dollar valuation

2025 was a strong financial year for T1, during which the organization recorded an impressive 80% revenue growth. However, Ahn Woongki says that this is only the setup.

On April 27, the Esports Foundation (EF), which operates the EWC, brought together executives from their partnered esports organizations, including T1. During this online media session, the T1 COO stated that the first two editions of the EWC were a testing period for the org.

According to him, the EF gives leverage for T1 to diversify the games they field teams in. With the EF, “potential sponsors and investors [can see] T1 as a more complete gaming organization”.

Thanks to that, the League flagship brand considers returning to DotA and entering the Counter-Strike and Fortnite scenes – the latter, which they’ve already confirmed for the EWC 2026.

By participating in more games, T1 aims to place higher at the upcoming EWCs, from an 11th/12th place finish in 2025.

Generally speaking, the six-time LoL World Championship winner wants to increase their reach. To that end, Faker is the centerpiece of the plan.

As one of the most popular figures in South Korea, Faker’s influence spreads well beyond esports. League’s GOAT can attract audiences no other club can reach.

Ahn Woongki plans to use his image to bring new audiences to the EWC, and as such to give traction to T1’s new games. The COO also states that the Vietnamese market is a key target to expand the club’s reach. Overall, T1 aims to attain a corporate valuation of one billion dollars.

T1 is the undisputed best team in League of Legends and is branching out to other games at the EWC. Image source: Colin Young-Wolff / Riot Games

From franchising to partnership

Gen.G’s CEO Arnold Hur stated at this same meeting that “the era of franchises is over, the era of partnership has begun”. Currently, the system focuses solely on the number of teams. For him, esports will evolve towards a model where a few strong teams with solid business structures will collaborate with the publishers instead.

Gen.G also wants to evolve their business into more than just a gaming team. Instead, Hur wants to turn it into an educational platform, a media enterprise, and a consumer goods brand. Gen.G also now fields 13 teams and makes use of the EF’s Partner Program to bolster them.

Featured image source: Colin Young-Wolff / Riot Games