One of the LCK’s founding organizations has secured one of the biggest apparel deals in Korean esports history. KT Rolster announced New Balance as their official apparel sponsor for 2025, bringing the global sportswear giant into the League of Legends jersey market. For a franchise with over 20 years of competitive history, the partnership signals that legacy organizations still command major brand attention.
New Balance Enters the LCK
New Balance’s entry into esports apparel is significant because of what it represents for the industry. The LCK jersey market has become a proving ground for major sportswear brands looking to reach younger, digitally-native audiences. Nike has outfitted T1 and the entire LPL. Puma has backed Gen.G and NaVi. Adidas partnered with DK and 100 Thieves. Now New Balance joins that elite tier through KT Rolster.
For New Balance, this is not a casual sponsorship. The brand has been investing heavily in lifestyle and athletic crossover markets globally, and Korean esports offers direct access to one of the most fashion-conscious gaming audiences in the world. KT Rolster, backed by Korean telecom giant KT Corporation, provides the organizational stability and brand heritage that a company like New Balance requires.
Spring and Summer Editions
The partnership produced multiple jersey releases throughout the 2025 LCK season. The Spring edition jersey debuted alongside the LCK Spring Split and was immediately praised by fans and industry observers for its clean design and quality construction. New Balance brought their athletic apparel expertise to the fit and materials, resulting in a jersey that felt closer to performance sportswear than traditional esports merchandise.
The Summer edition followed with a refreshed colorway while maintaining the design language established in Spring. Both jerseys featured the New Balance logo prominently alongside KT Rolster branding, with the dual identity working naturally given New Balance’s existing credibility in the Korean market.
Worlds 2025 Uniform
KT Rolster’s strong 2025 campaign earned them a spot at the League of Legends World Championship, where they advanced to the semifinals — a remarkable achievement for an organization that had been rebuilding in recent years. For the occasion, New Balance produced a special Worlds 2025 uniform that distinguished itself from the standard season kits.
The Worlds jersey carried event-specific detailing and gave New Balance their biggest esports stage yet. With millions of viewers watching the knockout rounds, the brand received substantial exposure that validated their investment in the LCK partnership.
KT Rolster’s Legacy
KT Rolster is one of the pillars of Korean esports. Founded in the early days of professional StarCraft, the organization has been competing at the highest level for over two decades. Their roster has included legends across multiple generations of Korean gaming, and their rivalry with SKT (now T1) is one of the most storied in esports history.
Despite periods of rebuilding, KT Rolster’s brand value has never diminished among Korean esports fans. The New Balance partnership is proof that legacy organizations with deep roots can still attract top-tier global sponsors, even in an industry that often prioritizes newer, flashier brands.
The Sportswear Arms Race
The KT Rolster x New Balance deal continues a fascinating trend in the LCK where every major organization now has a relationship with a global sportswear brand. This arms race has elevated the quality and design standards of esports jerseys across the board, turning what was once basic sublimated polyester into genuine fashion-adjacent products that fans wear outside of gaming contexts.
More LCK Coverage
- T1 2025 Uniform Jersey by Goal Studio
- Gen.G x Descente 2025 Official Player Jersey
- DRX 2025 Official Jerseys
- Hanwha Life Esports x Brooks Brothers x Rockport Collection
Where to Buy
KT Rolster x New Balance 2025 jerseys are available through the KT Rolster official store and select New Balance Korea retail channels. International shipping availability varies — check both storefronts for current stock.
