Sources: T1 have been selected as a VCT Pacific partner team for the 2027-2028 cycle

T1 will be a VCT Pacific Partner Team starting in 2027, securing their place for the next two years, sources tell Sheep Esports. Best known for its legendary League of Legends roster, the Korean organization has also established itself as a major name in VALORANT, remaining a regular contender in the Pacific region. The organization had also considered competing in the Americas.

Riot’s evaluation considered several factors, including fan engagement, recent performance, regional results, and long-term commitment. T1’s established presence across the esports ecosystem and their results in VCT Pacific have made them a strong candidate for the partnership program. While investment in a Game Changers roster could have strengthened its application, the organization’s broader influence and competitive track record have ultimately proved enough to secure its place.

As a reminder, VALORANT's Tier 1 ecosystem is set for a major overhaul in 2027, with the number of partner teams dropping from ten to eight across all four regions: Pacific, EMEA, Americas, and China. The circuit will also become open, but partnership will remain a significant advantage. Partner teams will receive a base payment and retain revenue from their in-game team capsules. Competitively, they are guaranteed a spot in Kickoff, which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from January 14 to February 7. They will also bypass the opening rounds of the Open Qualifiers for the Cups, which replace the Stage tournaments from previous seasons.

The Cups will serve as qualifiers for international events. In Pacific, the first will take place in Manila, Philippines, from April 29 to May 23, followed by a second in Tokyo, Japan, from August 5 to 29. The region will also host the year's first Masters, scheduled for Seoul, South Korea, from February 20 to May 3.

T1’s 2026 season has been a mixed bag, with the team struggling to maintain its early momentum before finding its footing again towards the end of the year. The Korean squad started strong at Pacific Kickoff, finishing second and securing a spot at Masters Santiago. However, its international campaign proved short-lived, as losses to Team Liquid and G2 Esports sent T1 home without a win.

Things did not improve much in Stage 1, where T1 finished fourth and missed out on Masters London. The team also failed to qualify for the Esports World Cup, leaving its international ambitions hanging in the balance. Stage 2, however, offered a much-needed turnaround. Indeed, T1 finished third within the Pacific regional league, which proved just enough to qualify for Champions Shanghai, giving the squad another opportunity to prove itself on the international stage.

This time, T1 made the most of it. After taking down FUT Esports to secure its place in the Main Stage, the team went on to eliminate Paper Rex, one of the tournament’s most established contenders. The victory marked a significant achievement for T1, which ultimately recorded the best finish among Pacific teams at the event. Although its run came to an end in the Lower Bracket Second Round against G2, its performance in Shanghai gave the team a much-needed boost after an otherwise inconsistent season.

T1’s involvement in VALORANT dates back to the game’s earliest competitive days. The organization entered the scene in 2020, becoming one of the first major esports brands to invest in Riot Games’ new tactical shooter. Their initial roster featured players such as Braxton “brax” Pierce and Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham, as T1 sought to establish themselves among North America’s leading teams. However, despite its early ambitions, the project struggled to consistently challenge the region’s best.

The organization eventually shifted its focus to the Pacific region, building around its Korean roots before joining the inaugural VCT Pacific league in 2023. Since then, T1 have remained a regular presence in the regional circuit, with their efforts culminating in a victory at VALORANT Masters Bangkok 2025. Their qualification for Champions Shanghai in 2026, followed by a run to the Main Stage, further demonstrated their ability to compete with the world's best.

With their VCT Pacific partnership now secured for another two years, T1 have a clear opportunity to build on that foundation. After years of investment in VALORANT, the challenge will be to turn their international achievements into more consistent results and establish themselves as a regular contender for the region's biggest titles.