T1 have announced the contract extension of their star player—widely regarded as the greatest of all time—Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, through to 2029. Now 29 years old, the legendary midlaner will be 33 by the time the deal ends. For years, fans and analysts have speculated about when Faker would retire, and whether he'd spend his entire career with T1. With this extension, it seems he's given a clear answer.

Back in 2022, these questions were already being asked. But just after T1’s heartbreaking loss to DRX in that unforgettable Worlds final, the organization announced a new contract for Faker through to the end of 2025. Since then, the story has taken a legendary turn—Faker went on to win Worlds in both 2023 and 2024, completing a historic back-to-back and further cementing his legacy as the greatest player of all time.

An unexpected extension

In 2025, T1 continues to impress, especially after a thrilling Mid Season Invitational final narrowly lost 3-2 to Gen.G in Vancouver. Since then, the LCK has resumed, and T1 managed to take down Gen.G, ending their record 27-game winning streak. Out of nowhere, the organization announced a contract extension for the player, who is now tied to T1 until 2029. He will continue playing at least until the age of 33, which is considered quite advanced in the world of League of Legends esports, particularly in South Korea, where players often retire around 28 to fulfill their mandatory military service.

Faker, however, is exempt from this obligation due to his victory at the 2022 Asian Games, where he represented his nation. Athletes who earn regional or international medals see their military service duration significantly shortened, allowing Faker to continue his career without the usual interruption.

The rest of the roster

While Faker is now signed for the long haul, that’s far from the case for the rest of the roster. The 25-year-old toplaner Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon, who joined earlier this year, is only contracted through the end of 2025 — the same goes for AD carry Lee "Gumayusi" Min-hyeong. As for Mun "Oner" Hyeon-jun and Ryu "Keria" Min-seok, their contracts run until the end of 2026. Given how iconic this roster has become — through both triumphs and heartbreak — it wouldn’t be surprising to see T1 announce further extensions in the coming days.