KT Rolster
A historic powerhouse featuring legendary players like Flash, Nal rA, YellOw, NaDa, Reach, TY, and Zest, with quarterfinal appearances at the League of Legends World Championship in 2015 and 2018.
kt Rolster is a South Korean multi-gaming organization whose esports team was formed in 2000 with Korea Telecom as its head sponsor. As a member of the Korean e-Sports Association, it boasts one of the richest and most successful StarCraft teams globally, alongside a dominant League of Legends presence in Korea. The StarCraft squad has fielded legends like Flash, Nal rA, YellOw, NaDa, Reach, TY, and Zest across both Brood War and StarCraft II eras. Originally named KTF n016 Progame Team in 1999, the organization evolved through names like KTF MagicNs before becoming KT Rolster (short for 'Roller Coaster') in August 2009. The team fully transitioned to StarCraft II starting with the 2012-2013 Proleague, the first all-StarCraft II season, and expanded into League of Legends in October 2012, acquiring the roster of StarTale's League of Legends team and adding members from NaJin Shield.
- Founded
- 2000 (esports team)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The organization began in 1999, but its esports team was formed in 2000 as a StarCraft team named KTF n016 Progame Team, honoring its head sponsor, Korea Telecom Freetel. By 2001, it rebranded to KTF MagicNs before navigating several name changes following a merger with Korean Telecom, finally settling on KT Rolster in August 2009. The team's StarCraft legacy is defined by its full transition to StarCraft II with the 2012-2013 Proleague, the first season to feature only StarCraft II. In October 2012, the scope widened significantly when kt Rolster added two League of Legends teams, acquiring the roster of StarTale's League of Legends team and integrating talent from NaJin Shield. This expansion marked a new chapter, leading to quarterfinal appearances at the World Championship in 2015 and 2018, though their 2023 run ended in the Swiss stage.
In Their Own Story
The journey from KTF n016 Progame Team to KT Rolster reflects a decades-long evolution. Starting in 1999 with only StarCraft, the team adopted the name KTF MagicNs in 2001. After sponsor mergers triggered multiple rebrands, August 2009 brought the definitive 'Roller Coaster' identity. The hybrid 2011-2012 Proleague Season 2 saw the squad pivot to Starcraft II, carrying forward a roster of icons including Flash, Nal rA, YellOw, NaDa, NesTea, Reach, Life, TY, and Zest. By October 2012, the organization added two League of Legends teams sourced from NaJin Shield and StarTale. These new squads quickly made their mark: the Arrows division won HOT6iX Champions Summer 2014, while the Bullets secured Gold at the Asian Indoor-Martial Arts Games 2013 and Intel Extreme Masters Season VIII World Championship. The merged team later achieved KeSPA Cup 2017 victory and LCK 2018 Summer Split dominance before reaching the 2025 World Championship finals.
Reader's Guide
For fans tracking major tournament results, kt Rolster's StarCraft/StarCraft II legacy includes Shinhan Bank StarCraft Proleague titles in 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, plus the SK Telecom StarCraft II Proleague Championship in 2014. In League of Legends, the Arrows division claimed HOT6iX Champions Summer 2014. The Bullets roster achieved Asian Indoor-Martial Arts Games 2013 Gold and Intel Extreme Masters Season VIII World Champion status. Following a merger, the unified team reached the League of Legends World Championship Quarter-Finals in 2015 and 2018, secured the KeSPA Cup 2017 title, won the LCK 2018 Summer Split, and advanced to the League of Legends World Championship Finals in 2025. Historically, the organization has reached the quarterfinals of the League of Legends World Championship on three occasions: 2015, 2018, and 2023.
Did You Know?
- The name 'KT Rolster' is short for 'Roller Coaster'.
- In October 2012, the organization added two League of Legends teams using members from NaJin Shield and acquiring the roster of StarTale's League of Legends team (StarTale did not disband).
- KT Rolster reached the quarterfinals of the League of Legends World Championship in 2015 and 2018, their highest placements in international competition; they were eliminated in the Swiss stage in 2023.
- The team fully transitioned to StarCraft II starting with the 2012-2013 Proleague, the first all-StarCraft II season.
- Original names included KTF n016 Progame Team (1999) and KTF MagicNs (2001); the esports team itself was formed in 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is KT Rolster?
Established in 1999, this South Korean organization operates with Korea Telecom as its primary financial backer. It began its journey under the name KTF n016 Progame Team before rebranding over the years.
What are their main competitive areas?
The team holds a dominant position in League of Legends within Korea and is a member of the Korean e-Sports Association. Additionally, their StarCraft division is celebrated for achieving global success throughout the Brood War and StarCraft II periods.
Which famous players have competed for them?
Iconic athletes including Flash, NaDa, NesTea, and Zest have represented the squad across multiple eras. These individuals helped build the organization's legacy as a premier competitor in the StarCraft scene.
What is their recent achievement in League of Legends?
The roster recently secured a spot in the finals of the 2025 League of Legends World Championship. This milestone demonstrates their sustained competitiveness in the modern esports landscape.
How did the organization change over time?
The group traces its origins to 1999, evolving through previous identities like KTF MagicNs before adopting its current name. This long history establishes it as a foundational pillar within the Korean esports industry.
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