KT Rolster sent to Demacia Cup Global Invitational and won't participate to Worlds 2026

There will be no Worlds for and his teammates in 2026. Defeated by Dplus KIA in the lower bracket this Friday, have been eliminated from the LCK and finish the season in fifth place. Despite this disappointment, the team will have the opportunity to turn their attention to the Demacia Cup Global Invitational, which is set to begin on October 3.

Having comfortably defeated DK 3-0 just a few days ago, KT Rolster were just one series away from returning to the most prestigious competition of the season, where they reached the final last year. However, the team first ran into a wall after being swept by Gen.G Esports earlier this week. Facing DK once again, the outcome was different this time, with KT ultimately forced to bow out after a 3-1 defeat.

Despite losing the first game, DK quickly established their advantage in the remaining games by playing to their strengths while neutralizing those of KT. The botlane duo of and struggled throughout the series, making it difficult for KT to mount any meaningful challenge. DK also looked sharper in the draft, and this time, they were able to maximize their early-game strengths after struggling to do so in their first meeting.

KT Rolster’s season is not over yet. With their fifth-place finish, the team will take part in the Demacia Cup Global Invitational as the LCK’s first seed. The new competition will bring together the strongest teams from each region that failed to qualify for Worlds, with BNK FEARX, HANJIN BRION, and GAM Esports already confirmed as participants. KT now join them, and although the identities of the remaining teams are not yet known, they can already be considered one of the serious contenders for the title.

That, however, will do little to erase the regrets of the team’s fans and players, who will undoubtedly feel that they could have achieved much more. KT had made a strong start to their LCK season, winning eight consecutive games. Their second-half campaign in the Legends Group was considerably more difficult, however, and KT even had to fight through the Play-Ins to reach the playoffs. The next chapter will likely involve changes ahead of next season.