Two Korean League of Legends powerhouse teams — T1 and Gen.G — are ready to square off for the spring championship title this year, with esports fans and onlookers looking forward to witnessing the first in-person clash between the two teams in nearly three years.
"In accordance with the COVID-19 procedures put in place by the government, a total of 3,500 seats will be available for the next finals." At a press conference held at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul on Wednesday, League of Legends Champions Korea Secretary General Aiden Lee expressed his optimism about the upcoming summer season, which will feature a stadium filled with the screams of fans.
When the season began, coaches and players unanimously regarded T1 and Gen.G as the tournament's favorites. However, their respective routes to the finals were diametrically opposed.
T1 dominated the whole season, amassing an unprecedented 18-0 winning streak in the process. In the second round of the playoffs, T1 defeated the Kwangdong Frees in a 3-0 sweep, ensuring that the team remained unbeaten in the 2022 LCK spring season.
Meanwhile, Gen.G, who finished the season in second place, had a difficult road to the finals, with players having to be substituted due to COVID-19 infections during the course of the season.
After a thrilling 3-2 victory over Damwon Kia in the second round of the playoffs, Gen.G is aiming to fulfill a long-held ambition by earning the league's first domestic championship title.
"Leaving aside the approaching final match, I have appeared in three LCK finals throughout my career. However, all of these games were played in a stadium that was completely empty. It gives me great pleasure to confront T1 on a stage in front of thousands of supporters and onlookers," Gen.G team captain Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk told The Korea Herald after the team's press conference on Monday.
T1's team captain, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, stated that the fact that the finals are being staged in front of a live audience has a unique significance for both the players and the viewers.
"I am confident that the offline experience at the final stage, following a lengthy COVID-19 break, will be enjoyed by the fans. The presence of esports fans is also a source of excitement for the players. With a strong performance, I aim to make it an exciting final," Lee said.
Coaches Choi "Polt" Seong-hun of T1 and Go "Score" Dong-bin of Gen.G, who each believe their respective teams will win the spring championship with a 3-0 sweep of their opponents, both agreed that the stadium's packed crowd provides the ideal environment for players to perform to their maximum potential.
The finals between T1 and Gen.G will take place on April 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Kintex, the country's largest convention center, located in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, about 60 kilometers northwest of the capital.
The match will be broadcast live on the internet streaming sites Twitch, Afreeca TV, and Naver, among other places.
