T1 and Hanwha Life Esports began the 2026 LCK Cup from similar starting points but ended Week 1 on sharply different trajectories, underscoring how early-season changes can produce uneven results.

Both organizations entered the new year with revamped bottom lanes, a move intended to reset their competitive outlooks. Through the opening slate of matches, however, T1 emerged undefeated while Hanwha Life Esports struggled to convert promising moments into wins.

T1, competing in the Baron Group, opened the tournament with back-to-back series victories, including a comeback win over Hanwha Life Esports and a tight five-game triumph against DRX. Despite limited time to build cohesion, the team showed stability across the map. Veteran solo laners Faker and Doran anchored the lineup, each earning Player of the Match honors for their performances and reaffirming their central role in T1’s early success.

Hanwha Life Esports, placed in the Elder Group, experienced the opposite outcome. The team dropped both of its Week 1 matches, starting with a 1–2 loss to T1 after taking the opening game. A subsequent 0–2 defeat to Nongshim RedForce left Hanwha winless. While the squad frequently secured early advantages, those leads dissolved during mid-game transitions. Head coach Yoon Sung-young acknowledged the growing pains, noting post-match that the roster has yet to function as a unified group.

2026 LCK Cup – Week 1 Overview

The broader competition reflected similar parity. The Baron Group and Elder Group finished Week 1 deadlocked at 5–5 in inter-group play, setting the stage for a pivotal stretch ahead. In the Baron Group, Gen.G and T1 quickly separated themselves at 2–0, while Nongshim RedForce sat at an even 1–1. The Elder Group mirrored that balance, with Dplus KIA and BNK FearX both starting strong, offset by early losses from Hanwha Life Esports and DRX.

Week 1 also marked the debut of new competitive systems. The experimental Coach Voice feature produced mixed reactions, with some players citing improved communication and others expressing concern over potential disruptions. Meanwhile, the revised First Pick system expanded draft flexibility, already leading to unconventional side and priority choices.

With standings tightly packed and strategic wrinkles still unfolding, attention now turns to Week 2 and the upcoming “Super Week,” where early momentum could quickly shift.