T1 Fans Are Protesting Doran After MSI

T1 was an analyst favorite in MSI 2026, but faced elimination after a defeat by G2 Esports. Now, some fans have taken things further by protesting outside the team’s headquarters. Let’s summarize the situation.

T1 Eliminated From MSI 2026

T1 has a strong legacy to uphold. The organization is on a Worlds winning streak, currently holding the most trophies of any team in League of Legends history and emerging victorious three years in a row. Aside from T1’s Worlds clout, the team is known for being a fearsome Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) competitor. This event, held in the middle of the LoL competitive season, has heavy implications. The top teams qualify for Worlds, meaning it would be a smooth way for T1 to continue their string of victories. In addition, T1 has already won multiple MSIs, and typically places within the Semifinals or Grand Finals when it doesn’t. Riot Games has even created a Riftbound set to celebrate the team.

However, cracks have been showing in the team’s 2026 performance. At MSI 2026, G2 Esports eliminated T1 in the Lower Bracket round 2. This means T1 finished in just 5th-6th place, a far cry from its usual 3rd, 2nd, and 1st placements. It also marked the first time G2 Esports had beaten the org since 2019, and a significant victory for European fans over the LCK, League’s most dominant region.

What Happened at MSI 2026?

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the blame lies for T1’s early MSI 2026 departure. The team‘s fanbase has been sparking commentary, with many dissecting individual players’ performances. ADC Peyz earned praise for grabbing a pentakill and has generally escaped criticism. However, many netizens commented on top-laner Doran, jungler Oner, and (to a lesser extent) mid-laner Faker‘s performances.

Doran in particular took much frustration from fans, who noticed he was making risky plays and overaggressing. In the second G2 vs. T1 matchup, Doran went 0/6/0 on Yorick, and he was consistently ‘gapped’ by enemy top-laner BrokenBlade. In the final matchup, BrokenBlade snowballed to a 15/5 K/D on Kled, which caused viewers to take note.

T1 addressed its performance on X.com, writing, “We’re left with regrets for not delivering a stronger performance at MSI in Korea.” However, they reassured their community that they “will use this as a stepping stone to return much stronger.”

Faker also commented in an interview, “We did lose today, but honestly, it didn’t feel like we lost because the opponent was that strong.” He clarified that T1 “just didn’t play up to the level we expected today.”

T1 Fans Are Protesting Doran With Trucks

Just a few days later, some T1 community members have taken their frustration further. Reporters in South Korea have allegedly spotted a large truck parked outside the T1 headquarters, with text reading “DORAN OUT!” in bright red font.

The truck also bears a message in Korean, which says:

“Every MSI, Doran loses to the opposing top laner with a historic-level top gap. Bench him! NO re-contract!!!“

Community Reactions

It’s hard to overstate T1’s cultural importance in its home country. The organization is a source of national pride and is recognized as a mainstream influence, so wins and losses are consistently big news.

The Doran truck stunt has received hundreds of thousands of views, with mixed reactions from community members. Generally, the internet agreed the protest took things a bit too far. Esports is about the stats, and teams must be objective and prioritize their highest-achieving players. That said, many commentators emphasized that while fans only see esports athletes on the big stage, they still experience very real mental health consequences. User @RayAdi08 wrote:

“That’s so sad. The guy is super friendly and nice. Yeah, he honestly doesn’t have the stability and level to be in the best team in history, but it’s not a reason to send some trucks.”

Another netizen, @brits2541, said: “Wow, some of T1’s fans are deranged.”

@Burdenisalive posted a meme with an alternate perspective, saying, “When they’re slandering your GOAT, but they’re lowkey right.“

@Miguel32630523 claims, “This is harsh for Doran, but this Situation Is the fault of the [management] team. It’s clear he doesn’t have the skill AND mental to play in T1. He needs to go at the end of the year.”

Notably, Doran’s contract does expire at the end of November 2026. The team faces several options: it could re-sign him, or decide to part ways. It’s also possible T1 could decide to bench Doran. Many fans note this previously occurred with former player Gumayusi, who returned to the team with a stronger performance after the decision.

Additional commentary from @kamil_de_sailor poked fun at the T1 fans sending the criticism Doran’s way: “Damn T1 fans are harsh af… probably 99% of them stuck in silver, but yeah now they are pro.”

Faker himself has stated in a 2020 interview, “Failure takes a bigger part in people’s lives than one may think. It’s important to not lose yourself in the emotions from success and failure.”

Stay tuned for more League of Legends esports and in-game news as the season progresses.