Solary and T1 Academy advanced to the WSCI 2026 grand final after semifinal victories on September 30, with Solary defeating DN SOOPers Challengers 3-0 and T1 Academy overcoming Galions 3-1. Solary maintained strong momentum through the bracket stage, dropping just one map across nine matches while securing Bo5 wins over Movistar KOI Fénix and the Korean side, building on an undefeated group stage that included victories against fellow EMEA side Galions. T1 Academy, representing the historically dominant LCK CL region, recovered from an early group-stage loss to finish atop its group and dispatch Cupid Esports before the semifinal. The single-elimination Bo5 format and LAN setting in South Korea have favored teams with consistent macro execution and recent form, positioning these two squads as the clear standouts among the 16 academy-level entrants.