As the 2025 League of Legends World Championship nears its grand finale, it’s the perfect moment to look back at the matches that defined Worlds history, the ones that delivered unforgettable moments, dramatic twists and thunderous reactions from fans around the globe.
Over the years, the spotlight has rarely strayed far from one name: T1. The most storied team in League, and arguably all of esports, has given us everything from flawless triumphs to miracle comebacks, and even shocking defeats at the hands of supposed underdogs.
This legacy sets the stage for yet another chapter. As T1 prepare to face KT Rolster, the question isn’t just who will win, it’s whether we’re about to witness history repeat itself, or see a new story written in its place.
SK Telecom T1 vs. Samsung Galaxy (2016)
This final became the first Worlds championship series to go the full five games. SK Telecom T1 were already a powerhouse with two titles (2013 and 2015) and were aiming to cement their dynasty. Samsung Galaxy, on the other hand, was a rebuilt roster of hungry upstarts that had fought its way to the final against the odds. Most analysts heavily favored SKT, but Samsung’s resilience set the stage for a much closer fight than expected.
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The 2016 final in Los Angeles is remembered as an instant classic: a back-and-forth tug-of-war that kept fans on the edge. SKT came out strong, winning the first two games convincingly and appearing poised to sweep. Samsung Galaxy, however, clawed back with incredible perseverance, winning the next two games (including a 70+ minute marathon in Game 3) to push the series to a decider.
Ultimately, SKT regrouped in Game 5, subbing in their veteran jungler Bengi and reverting to a calm, calculated style. They secured the final victory and with it their third World Championship in four years. It affirmed SKT’s dynasty while proving that underdogs like Samsung could push the greatest team to the brink. Fans worldwide praised the series for its high-level plays and suspense, solidifying 2016’s final as one of the most exciting in all of esports.
Samsung Galaxy vs. SK Telecom T1 (2017)
A rematch of the iconic 2016 title game, this final carried huge expectations. SK Telecom T1 were the three-time world champions and looking for back-to-back title defenses, led by the legendary Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok. Samsung Galaxy entered as underdogs, seeking revenge after a narrow loss to SKT the previous year. Many fans expected SKT to extend their dynasty, until Samsung shocked everyone.
In front of a packed crowd at Beijing’s Bird’s Nest Stadium, Samsung Galaxy delivered a stunning 3:0 sweep, dethroning SKT in impressive fashion. Samsung’s superior teamwork and preparation exposed SKT’s weaknesses; star AD carry Park "Ruler" Jae-hyuk even earned the Finals MVP for his clutch plays, including a decisive flash Varus ultimate to catch Faker.
It was an upset few predicted: the once-invincible SKT collapsed, and Faker, who had never before lost a Worlds final, was left in tears on stage, an iconic image symbolizing the end of an era. This triumph marked Samsung’s second world title (their first since 2014) and the first time a reigning champion had been swept in a Worlds final. Fans were astonished by the 2017 result, and sympathetic, as Faker’s emotional reaction showed how even the greatest can be humbled in the pursuit of the Summoner’s Cup.
T1 vs. Bilibili Gaming (2024)
Taking place in London’s O2 Arena, the 2024 final was historic before it even began. Korean juggernaut T1 (formerly SKT) reached its third straight Worlds final, entering as the defending champion after winning in 2023. All eyes were on Faker, who was chasing an unprecedented fifth World Championship title to further cement his GOAT legacy. Opposing them was China’s Bilibili Gaming, a team that had never been to a Worlds final. BLG embraced the underdog role, as other Chinese teams had done in past finals, hoping to spoil T1’s quest.
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The matchup was also a clash of regions’ pride: LCK vs. LPL, the dominant Korean squad versus a rising Chinese challenger. Hype was through the roof, with millions tuning in to watch this showdown live. In fact, the 2024 final hit a new record peak viewership of 6.9 million concurrent viewers (outside China), the highest in esports history.
The series lived up to its billing with momentum swings and top-tier play. BLG came out strong, leveraging bold teamfights to take a 2:1 lead in the series, just one win away from the championship. For T1, it probably echoed their 2022 final where they had lost a 2:1 advantage — but this time, the story flipped. The defending champions refused to falter, rallying to win Games 4 and 5 back-to-back and claim the title 3:2. Faker and his teammates adapted brilliantly under pressure, and the decisive game highlighted T1’s championship composure as they overwhelmed BLG to complete their comeback.
With this win, T1 achieved their fifth Worlds title and became the first team since 2016 to successfully defend a World Championship. Faker earned the Finals MVP award, fittingly crowning his fifth title run with a standout performance. Social media exploded in celebration of Faker’s legacy, while also giving respect to BLG’s effort in pushing the series to five games.
EDward Gaming vs. DWG KIA (2021)
The 2021 final in Reykjavik, Iceland, featured China’s EDward Gaming against South Korea’s DWG KIA in a clash of champions versus challengers. DK were the reigning 2020 World Champions and came in as heavy favorites: a superstar lineup led by Kim "Canyon" Geon-bu and Heo "ShowMaker" Su, aiming to be the first back-to-back winners since SKT. In contrast, EDG had never reached a Worlds final before, being known historically for faltering in quarterfinals. This time, EDG carried the banner of the LPL and the hopes of millions of Chinese fans eager to see the Summoner’s Cup return to China.
The final itself was a classic underdog tale. DWG KIA started strong, showcasing the championship experience that got them there, and midway through the series, DK held a 2:1 lead, just one game away from defending their title. But EDward Gaming refused to follow the script. In Game 4, EDG turned the tide with clutch plays (including a sneaky Baron Nashor take) to even the series. Riding that momentum, EDG and DK entered a tense Game 5 decider. In the final game, EDG’s teamfighting and poise shone; carry players stepped up under pressure, and EDG secured the win in a nail-biting finish.
With that, EDG completed the upset 3:2, claiming their first-ever World Championship. The victory was monumental: not only did EDG bring the trophy back to China, but they also denied Korea a repeat title and became the third LPL team in history to lift the Cup.
Chinese fans erupted in celebration: videos circulated of university students watching in dorms and then pouring into the streets to cheer. Even state media noted that about one in 30 people on the planet (mainly via Chinese streams) witnessed EDG’s victory live. The 2021 final is remembered for its gritty comeback and what it represented: an LCK juggernaut being toppled by the unlikeliest of LPL heroes.
DRX vs. T1 (2022)
The 2022 World Championship final, held at San Francisco’s Chase Center, is widely hailed as one of the greatest finals in League of Legends history. It featured a showdown no one predicted at the start of the tournament: T1, the most storied franchise with Faker chasing his fourth title, versus DRX, a team that barely qualified as Korea’s fourth seed and had to fight through the play-in stage.
DRX’s journey had been a true Cinderella story: they entered Worlds as underdogs, yet kept upsetting higher-ranked teams, fueled by veteran Kim "Deft" Hyuk-kyu’s determination and a roster peaking at the perfect time. The narrative had fans enthralled. On one side was T1, the “juggernaut” and favorite for longtime fans, returning to the finals after five years with the hope of Faker reclaiming the throne. On the other was DRX, the plucky dark horse led by Deft, who, in a twist of fate, was Faker’s high school classmate and had never won a World Championship in his eight-year career.
The series delivered all the drama one could ask for. In a back-and-forth five-game war, both teams traded blows in incredibly close games. T1 struck first, but DRX kept answering, refusing to be overwhelmed by T1’s pedigree. The tension built to a crescendo in the fifth and deciding game. In Game 5, moments of sheer brilliance and clutch play abounded, including an epic late-game Elder Dragon steal by DRX that swung the advantage.
Ultimately, DRX emerged victorious 3:2, completing the “miracle run” that fans and casters had dubbed throughout the bracket. Deft, at long last, became a world champion. The underdogs had toppled the giants, and even T1’s players, including Faker, were seen smiling through tears as they congratulated DRX, acknowledging the historic achievement. Commentators and analysts universally praised the match as one of the most exciting and story-rich finals ever.
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