Explore the top eSports teams that have risen to prominence and shaped the industry in recent years. Learn what sets them apart and how they’ve managed to stay at the top!
eSports has evolved into a global, multi-billion-dollar industry. At the forefront of this movement are powerhouse teams like TSM, 100 Thieves, and Team Liquid. Their achievements highlight the incredible growth and potential of competitive gaming.
Competitive gaming has become a mainstream phenomenon, and the eSports industry has seen significant growth in recent years.
People not only participate in these games but also organize tournaments worth millions of dollars. Fans passionately support their favorite teams, and betting companies have jumped into the action.
Betting on eSports tournaments is quickly becoming the norm, with platforms like bet365 and Revolut offering options for wagering on gaming events.
As Lisa Su once said, “Gaming brings people together.”
In this guide, we’ll explore the eSports teams that have achieved global success and built immense wealth. Let’s dive right in!
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The Most Valuable Esports teams
The ranking of top eSports organizations has seen some changes in recent years, though many familiar names remain strong. Want to know which teams are dominating games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2?
Let’s take a look at their earnings and success.
TSM
- Established: 2009
- Base: Los Angeles, Califronia
- Approximate Worth: $540 million
- Games: Apex Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Fortnite, and Valorant
At the top of our list is TSM, a U.S.-based eSports giant. According to Forbes’ 2022 research, TSM is valued at $540 million, reflecting a 32% growth over the previous two years. A major contributor to this rise in value was its $210 million naming rights deal with the FTX crypto exchange.
TSM’s revenue is also boosted by tools like the Blitz app and Dyno bot. Blitz helps players improve in games like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Free Fire, while Dyno bot, popular on Discord, assists in managing server moderation and unwanted pings.
Team Liquid
- Established: 2000
- Base: Utrecht, Netherlands
- Approximate Worth: $440 million
- Games: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and Valorant
Team Liquid is a global eSports organization with professional teams spanning Europe, North and South America, and Asia. As one of the longest-standing teams in eSports, it remains a leader in the industry. Team Liquid is currently valued at $440 million.
Fun fact: Operating in multiple regions has been a big advantage for Team Liquid. With sub-teams competing in over 20 eSports categories, they are among the most-watched organizations. The company also has a strong community initiative and a dedicated video content division.
Additional revenue drivers include their Blitz app and Dyno bot. Blitz helps players sharpen their skills in games like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Free Fire, while Dyno bot is a popular tool on Discord, assisting with server moderation.
100 Thieves
- Established: 2017
- Base: Los Angeles, Califronia
- Approximate Worth: $460 million
- Games: Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Valorant
Next on our list is 100 Thieves (100T), a top-tier lifestyle brand and gaming organization. Founded in 2017, 100 Thieves has seen rapid growth, reaching a market valuation of $460 million in just five years—one of the highest in the competitive gaming world.
From 2020 to 2022, 100 Thieves’ value tripled, defying the trend in eSports where many companies fell short of expectations. Recently, 100T teamed up with Adidas to release a collaborative collection, which is expected to boost revenue and draw even more attention from eSports fans.
Faze Clan
- Established: 2010
- Base: Los Angeles, Califronia
- Approximate Worth: $400 million
- Games: Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2, EA Sports FC, and Fortnite
FaZe Clan is one of the most recognized gaming organizations globally, having made a successful leap into mainstream culture and growing its brand significantly. Forbes values FaZe Clan at $400 million, reflecting a 31% increase over the past two years.
In October 2023, FaZe Holdings was acquired by GameSquare through an all-stock deal. GameSquare, a NASDAQ-listed company with several subsidiaries, is expected to fuel even more growth for FaZe Clan in the coming years.
Cloud9
- Established: 2013
- Base: Santa Monica, California
- Approximate Worth: $380 million
- Games: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and Valorant.
Cloud9, initially established by a professional League of Legends team, has greatly expanded its footprint in the eSports industry. Now valued at $380 million, Cloud9 competes in a wide range of tournaments and earns revenue through partnerships, sponsorships, merchandise sales, donations, and prize money. The organization operates both franchised and non-franchised teams.
One of Cloud9’s key income sources is its YouTube channel, with ad revenue estimated between $66.82K and $120.28K annually. Additionally, Cloud9 is highly active on Twitch and Discord, further increasing its reach and revenue potential in the gaming community.
G2
- Established: 2014
- Base: Berlin, Germany
- Approximate Worth: $340 million
- Games: Counter-Strike 2, Fortnite, League of Legends, Rocket League, and Valorant
G2 eSports, one of Europe’s most popular gaming organizations, is based in Berlin. The team has amassed over 100 million hours of streams and viewership, fueling its remarkable growth. Between 2020 and 2021, G2’s market value surged by 94%.
Now valued at $340 million, G2 is home to some of the most famous players, creators, and entertainers in the eSports scene. Looking to build on its success, G2 plans to expand globally, with goals to establish a stronger presence in both the U.S. and Asia.
Gen.G
- Established: 2017
- Base: Seoul, South Korea
- Approximate Worth: $250 million
- Games: League of Legends, Overwatch, Valorant and PUBG
Gen.G, also known as Generation Gaming, ranks seventh among the most valuable eSports teams. Valued at $250 million, Gen.G recorded over 70 million hours of streaming in 2023, showcasing its rising popularity, particularly in South Korea.
With plans for major expansion, Gen.G is set for further growth. The organization has already extended its reach globally, with offices in the U.S. and Shanghai, China, positioning itself to compete with the biggest names in the eSports industry.
T1
- Established: 2004
- Base: Seoul, South Korea
- Approximate Worth: $220 million
- Games: Dota 2, League of Legends: Wild Rift, and Super Smash Bros
T1, formerly known as SK Telecom T1 (SKT T1), ranks eighth among the most valuable eSports teams. This South Korean team has gained a strong reputation, especially for its success in League of Legends. T1 has consistently performed well in major tournaments like the World Championship and League of Champions.
In 2023, T1 garnered an impressive 143.6 million hours of viewership across its eSports matches and content, according to escharts.com. Although T1 competes in multiple eSports games, its League of Legends team remains the most popular and is recognized as one of the top teams worldwide.
This article was written by Hellagoodmarketing, a marketing services consulting firm.