T1 and Paper Rex emerge as Kickoff favorites among Pacific pros

As the VCT Pacific 2026 season looms, the region’s professional players have made one thing clear during the pre-event press conference: the road to the title runs through T1 and Paper Rex. Despite the introduction of a grueling triple-elimination format and the arrival of hungry rookie squads, the league's veterans consistently pointed to these two powerhouses as the undisputed teams to beat.

The T1 "Superteam"

Perhaps the most feared roster entering the 2026 Kickoff is T1. The team has made some high-profile signings in the last 2 years, absorbing top-tier talent from rivals like Gen.G Esports and DRX. The result is a lineup that commands immediate respect for its raw mechanical skill and veteran experience.

When asked to identify a favorite, rival players didn’t hesitate. Shota "SugarZ3ro" Watanabe, the newly appointed IGL for ZETA DIVISION, singled them out immediately.

"I think T1 would probably be the most scary to go against," SugarZ3ro admitted during the panel. "The players are very experienced and talented."

Global Esports’ Kale "autumn" Dunne echoed this sentiment, pointing to T1’s dominant form during the off-season. Even Ngô "Crazyguy" Công Anh from Rex Regum Qeon, who is eyeing a spot in the finals on home soil in Vietnam, acknowledged the threat T1 poses.

"The roster, now they are very good," CrazyGuy noted. "All of them are sharp players... and have a lot of experience."

For T1’s part, their Duelist Kim "Meteor" Tae-O isn't shying away from the expectations. He noted that the addition of Byeon "Munchkin" Sang-beom has brought "more stability" to their game plan, a frightening prospect for a team that already possesses such firepower.

The Unpredictable Threat of Paper Rex

While T1 represents disciplined power, Paper Rex remains the chaotic force that teams struggle to decode. Despite some surprising roster shifts last year and this season as well, their identity as the league’s most aggressive and unorthodox squad remains intact.

Goo "Rb" Sang-Min from Nongshim RedForce highlighted the difficulty of preparing for PRX. "Probably Paper Rex," RB stated when asked for his pick. "I think they're pretty tricky to play against."

This sentiment was shared across the second panel of players as well. Kazuya "yatsuka" Ikeda from DetonatioN FocusMe emphasized that PRX’s style is perfectly suited for the 2026 landscape.

"Paper Rex is the team we need to watch out for... In the current meta, I think Paper Rex is going to play well with it."

Rizkie "BerserX" Adla Kusuma from Team Secret agreed, citing their inability to be replicated. "They have very unique gameplay," he said, noting that their distinct style makes them a favorite regardless of the season's changes.

Survival of the Fittest

While other teams like Gen.G and DRX received honorable mentions as well, the consensus is a two-horse race at the top. With the new triple-elimination bracket, teams will have more chances to adapt, but the margin for error against juggernauts like T1 and Paper Rex will be razor-thin.

As T1’s Meteor summarized perfectly during the opening Q&A: "It’s definitely going to be the survival of the fittest."

The VCT Pacific 2026 Kickoff begins on Thursday, January 22, where the rest of the league will attempt to prove the predictions wrong.

Click HERE to learn more about the Pacific Kickoff structure and format. For all things VCT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games