South Korea’s esports giant T1 is looking beyond its home market and setting its sights on the Philippines.
The possibility of bringing T1’s world-famous roster to Manila, including legendary superstar Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, has emerged as the organization studies how it can deepen its connection with Filipino fans.
T1 Chief Operating Officer Josh Ahn admitted that his early understanding of the Philippine esports scene was heavily influenced by the dominance of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, which has become the country’s biggest competitive gaming title.
“I always thought the Filipino esports market was all about MLBB and that League of Legends was very niche,” he said.
However, that perception changed after learning about the strength of the local League of Legends audience and the support T1 already has in the country.
“That’s why I was very surprised when Jasmine showed me that there’s a sizable League of Legends fanbase in the Philippines, and that many of them support T1.”
The discovery has opened the door for possible fan-focused events, with Faker potentially serving as the biggest attraction.
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Widely considered one of the greatest esports athletes ever, Faker’s legacy extends beyond competitive League of Legends. The six-time World Champion has become a global gaming icon whose presence alone can turn an event into a major spectacle.
“In order for us to get the grassroots growing, we have to have people interested in playing the game, watching the game, and we hope to do that in the Philippines if possible,” Ahn said.
While Faker could be the name that attracts attention, T1 is looking at a bigger vision, building a sustainable esports connection with Filipino fans.
Ahn revealed that T1 is considering two possible formats for a Philippine debut. One option is the organization’s Home Ground experience, a premium event concept built around official League of Legends competition and fan interaction.
The other possibility is an off-season showcase similar to T1’s successful Vietnam event, featuring exhibition matches, fan activities, and opportunities for supporters to engage directly with players.
“We want to start with an event if possible. A big event or a small event would help us gauge market interest, and then we can consider other ways to engage with fans in the Philippines,” he said.
The move would represent a major step for T1 as it explores a market where esports fandom is already deeply established. Although Mobile Legends currently dominates the Philippine scene, T1’s interest suggests that League of Legends still has room to grow among Filipino fans.
Whether Manila will eventually host a T1 event in 2027 remains uncertain, but the conversation has officially started — and one of esports’ biggest names could become the bridge between T1 and the Philippines.
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