Before now, video games used to be typically seen as a pastime for teenagers and nothing to be taken seriously. But interestingly, in just a few years, the concept of competitive gaming has transformed the world of video games, giving rise to a genre known as esports.
The Most Popular and Valuable Teams
Thanks to esports organisations and teams, the budding industry has grown even more valuable with the emergence of global contests and pro gaming championships. Most of these esports tournaments allow top teams to compete for millions of dollars drawn from a prize pool.
Also pivotal to the success of the esports world has been the activity of streamers and viewers. The biggest esports teams attract millions of viewers to their online content, thereby improving their revenue base and also solidifying their commercial viability. As professor of marketing at Syracuse University, Eunkyu Lee puts it, “In today’s world, being able to reach billions of eyeballs is very important for building the product’s commercial value.”
That said, have you wondered which top esports teams are leading the pack and shaping the industry? In the rest of this article, industry expert Kate Richardson spotlights 10 of the biggest and most valuable esports organizations in the world today.
Team Liquid
Arguably one of the most valuable esports teams of all time, Team Liquid started off as a simple group of StarCraft players in the Netherlands. But since 2010, they’ve become one of the most successful esports teams in terms of World Championship victories.
Founded in 2000, Team Liquid is a multi-regional organization with exceptional pedigree in Counter-Strike and Dota games. The team’s League of Legends squad have won five League Championship Series. Similarly, the Dota 2 band clinched The International 2017 trophy, known for having the biggest prize pool in the world of esports.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2000 |
| Location | Utrecht, Netherlands |
| Most Popular Games | Dota 2, StarCraft, Rainbow Six, League of Legends, PUBG, Fortnite and Counter-Strike |
| Total Earnings | $53,640,268 |
| Tournaments Participated | 1864 |
Fnatic
With an estimated worth of $260 million, Fnatic was ranked by Forbes as the seventh most valuable esports team globally, a reputation which it maintains till now. The European esports company is based in the United Kingdom and boasts a famous League of Legends team.
Fnatics is also reputed for winning the first CS:GO Major back in 2013 and defending its title until 2015. Beyond its competitive success and massive esports viewership running into 600 million hours, Fnatic also produces hardware and peripheral devices for gaming teams.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2004 |
| Location | London, United Kingdom |
| Most Popular Games | League of Legends, Call of Duty, StarCraft II, Hearthstone, VALORANT |
| Total Earnings | $21,582,644 |
| Tournaments Participated | 595 |
G2 Esports
G2 Esports is one of the teams that burst onto the scene very recently. Established by Carlos Rodriguez, a former professional League of Legends player, the popular esports organization is known for its passionate fan base and innovative approach to esports.
Outside of its financial antecedents, the esports team’s League of Legends squad is the first team to ever win a Mid-Season Invitational, a feat they pulled in 2019. G2 is also the first team to win two Rainbow Six Siege World Champsionships.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Location | Berlin, Germany |
| Most Popular Games | Rainbow Six: Siege, VALORANT, League of Legends, Counter-Strike |
| Total Earnings | $18,267,549 |
| Tournaments Participated | 669 |
FaZe Clan
Another well-known esports team is FaZe Clan. The Los Angeles-based team was founded in 2010 and began as a sniping group on YouTube. More than a decade down the line, the team is worth over $400 million and was recently acquired by NASDAQ-listed GameSquare.
In 2022, FaZe won the PGL Major Antwerp, becoming the first international team to clinch a CS:GO title. The team also boasts notable roster changes and successful feats in Call of Duty. One of its former players is Swedish entreprenuer Olof “Olofmeister” Gustafsson who was once reputed for saying, “I don’t think I’m the best, but I also don’t think there is anyone better.”
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Location | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Most Popular Games | Call of Duty, PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, Counter-Strike 2 |
| Total Earnings | $20,927,303 |
| Tournaments Participated | 647 |
T1
Next on the list is South Korean Esports World Cup winner. Formerly known as SK Telecom T1, this group is unarguably one of the most popular esports teams across the world. Not only are they reigning world champions, but they are also very popular in Asian esports communities like Bangladesh, India, Singapore and Thailand.
T1 is one of the major esports groups giving rise to a variety of esports betting in Asia, particularly Bangladesh. Players can access top quality esports and traditional sports betting services from a list of Bangladesh betting platforms with bKash made available by MightyTips. The company connects interested fans with reputable sportsbooks so they can follow their favorite esports team while also putting their money where their mouth is.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2004 |
| Location | Seoul, South Korea |
| Most Popular Games | League of Legends, VALORANT |
| Total Earnings | $15,116,665 |
| Tournaments Participated | 269 |
Cloud9
Cloud9 is another North American team from California established in the 2010s. Although a new entrant to the esports industry, Cloud9 is no less reputable, thanks to its giant strides in the League of Legends esports game.
The team won the 2018 League Championship Series and added three more championships to their cabinet that same year, winning the Rocket League Championship Series, the ELEAGUE Major and the Overwatch League Grand Finals.
The organization is worth a whopping $380 million and has benefitted a great deal from venture capital funding through its founders Jack and Paullie Etienne.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Location | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Most Popular Games | VALORANT, League of Legends and Counter-Strike |
| Total Earnings | $14,382,201 |
| Tournaments Participated | 719 |
100 Thieves
Speak of the richest esports teams on the planet and you’re certain to cross paths with 100 Thieves. Founded in 2017, the gaming organization has a lifestyle brand subsidiary, and together, the entire company is worth $460 million according to Forbes’ valuation in 2022.
COD is a core strength of this esports group, having won the Call of Duty League 2023 Championships. 100T collaborates with a ton of notable brands like Adidas and has leading names like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Drake as some of its sponsors.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2017 |
| Location | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Most Popular Games | Call of Duty, League of Legends, VALORANT, Apex |
| Total Earnings | $5,587,473 |
| Tournaments Participated | 228 |
Evil Geniuses
Perhaps one of the oldest esports teams currently active, Evil Geniuses is an American esports organization established as far back as 1999. Since inception, the team has made its mark in VALORANT, Counter-Strike and Dota 2 games. They are one-time winners of the International Dota 2 Championship and the Call of Duty World League Championship.
EG is frequently recognized for its commitment to player development, strong brand identity, and passionate fanbase. In recent years, the company has focused on expanding its presence in the esports industry by investing in infrastructure and strategic partnerships to maintain their competitive edge.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 1999 |
| Location | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Most Popular Games | Valorant, Dota 2 |
| Total Earnings | $28,567,424 |
| Tournaments Participated | 317 |
OpTic Gaming
Founded in 2006, OpTic initially rose to prominence through its Call of Duty team, which consistently dominated the competitive scene. OpTic has also established a strong presence in the Valorant scene, with a talented roster competing at the highest level.
The company is owned by two renowned pro gamers, Hector Rodriguez and Mike Rufail. In 2019, the parent company of OpTic was acquired by Immortals Gaming Club, opening the club to a whole new level of management.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2006 |
| Location | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Most Popular Games | Dota 2, Call of Duty, Counterstrike, Halo and Overwatch |
| Total Earnings | $13,629,624 |
| Tournaments Participated | 282 |
Natus Vincere
The name “Natus Vincere” is Latin for “born to win,” and if anything at all, it aptly describes the esports team’s rise to greatness. Arguably the leading Ukrainian esports group in the industry, Natus Vincere is reputed for its excellent run in CS:GO games, which includes winning the 2022 PGL Major Stockholm.
NAVI has racked up over 570 million watch hours since 2009 and is the first esports team to have been a part of 20 Counter-Strike majors. Natus Vincere operates rosters across several other games, including PUBG Mobile and StarCraft 2, but it disbanded the latter in 2024.
Details and Statistics
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Location | Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Most Popular Games | CS:GO, Dota 2, World of Tanks, PUBG, VALORANT and Fortnite |
| Total Earnings | $23,401,108 |
| Tournaments Participated | 883 |
Final Thoughts on the Great Esports Team Across the Globe
The esports industry is only poised to get better given the quality of teams that actively participate in rosters. While there are other notable organizations like NRG Esports and PSG Esports, the ten companies outlined above represent the best of the pack, especially in terms of revenue, cumulative watch hours and trophies.
So, if you’re looking for a team to support, or possibly even bet on, you have more than enough options to choose from above.re than enough options to choose from above.
