This year’s Game Awards saw League of Legends and its key representatives take top honors in every esports category. Although these awards were presented during the preshow, their outcomes highlight the game’s ongoing presence and influence in the competitive gaming scene.
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok earned his third Esports Athlete of the Year recognition at The Game Awards 2024, marking his second consecutive win at this event. Earlier in the year, Faker also received accolades at the Esports Awards, where he was honored somewhat controversially after a mixed year that saw him finish strong at the end of the season's competition. The 28-year-old mid laner’s most recent achievements come after leading T1 to a second straight World Championship title in League of Legends and becoming the first inductee into the LoL Esports Hall of Legends.
T1, the team closely associated with Faker’s success, received the Esports Team of the Year award. Their back-to-back Worlds victories contributed to maintaining their reputation as the most prestigious brand in esports. Alongside individual and team honors, League of Legends itself earned the Esports Game of the Year distinction. The victory over contenders like Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, VALORANT, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang signaled Riot Games’ continued prominence in this category—its sixth straight year at the forefront of The Game Awards’ esports selections.
Together, Faker and T1 are regarded among the most widely recognized figures and organizations in competitive gaming, known for both in-game accomplishments and broad global appeal. Their consistent presence on world stages has helped cement them as two of the most popular brands in esports culture, resonating with viewers and players across international markets. Whilst the victories were controversial in many respects, it's a testament to the star power both entities possess.
As The Game Awards 2024 concludes, League of Legends, T1, and Faker leave with a renewed set of honors, contributing to their ongoing influence in the industry and shaping the conversations around competitive gaming in the year ahead.