Nexon announced on the 1st that the Korean team T1 has clinched the championship in the FC Online (EA SPORTS FC Online) global tournament, 'FC Pro Masters 2026'. This victory bags T1 a cool $52,000 in prize money and, crucially, a ticket to the premier club competition, the 'FC Pro Champions Cup 2026'.

Held in Shanghai, China, from May 28th to 31st, 'FC Pro Masters 2026' saw national representatives from South Korea, China, Thailand, and Vietnam battle it out. This club-format tournament offered a total prize pool of $150,000 and vital ranking points needed for qualification into the 'FC Pro Champions Cup'. South Korea was represented by two formidable teams: T1 and GEN CITY.

T1 kicked off their campaign with a strong showing in the group stage, securing the top spot in their group with a 2-1 record before advancing to the main playoffs. They then faced ADV, a highly-touted contender from Thailand, in the semi-finals, triumphing to reach the grand finals. There, they met ADJ, a Chinese team that had been the surprise package of the tournament. The finals were a nail-biting affair, with both teams trading blows across four intense sets. However, T1's relentless offensive strategy proved decisive in sets five and six, ultimately clinching the championship with a 4-2 victory.

This marks T1's very first e-sports championship title in FC Online. Furthermore, they have secured their spot in the elite 'FC Pro Champions Cup 2026', scheduled from October 13th to 19th, boasting an impressive total prize pool of $300,000.

Meanwhile, GEN CITY, the other Korean representative, concluded their tournament run in the semi-finals of the playoff stage.

For more details on 'FC Pro Masters 2026', you can head over tothe official FC Online e-sports website.