The Business Behind the Billions
Esports isn’t just a niche scene anymore by 2026, it’s a full blown global industry pulling numbers that rival traditional sports leagues. Stadiums stay packed, livestreams clock in millions of viewers, and brands aren’t just watching they’re spending. Franchises have turned into media machines, and team valuations reflect that shift.
A top team’s worth in 2026 goes way beyond prize pools. Championships still matter, sure, but performance is just one piece. Revenue now flows from high tier sponsorships, exclusive media rights, steady content pipelines, and fandom engagement that’s borderline obsessive. On platforms like YouTube and Twitch, viewership stats double as currency. A dedicated fanbase willing to sub, share, and shop makes teams valuable even when trophy shelves are light.
And then there’s brand building. The teams pulling ahead are those that act like startups merch drops, IP licensing, even mobile game spin offs. In short: esports teams are businesses. The best run ones know how to win games and how to own the moment when the game’s over.
Team SoloMid (TSM)
Estimated at $540 million, TSM stands tall not just because of past glory, but because it’s betting smart on where esports is heading. League of Legends and Valorant keep them relevant on the competitive stage, but the real pivot has been strategic: expanding into mobile esports and building a strong content engine.
Mobile titles are pulling global audiences TSM can’t ignore especially in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Rather than being late to the party, TSM is embedding itself early in those ecosystems. On the content side, they’ve gone beyond highlights and reaction videos. We’re talking structured content teams, crossovers with influencers outside esports, and platform first storytelling that plays well both on Twitch and TikTok.
This isn’t just about stacking trophies. It’s about turning clicks into culture and that’s why their valuation keeps climbing.
FaZe Clan
Estimated at around $500 million, FaZe Clan remains one of the most recognizable names in esports not just because of their gameplay, but how they’ve turned culture into capital. Their brand power stems from a winning mix of lifestyle relevance, social media reach, and first person shooter dominance.
They’ve kept their foothold in top tier FPS titles, with a sharp performance boost this year in both CS2 and Call of Duty. Their Call of Duty roster is finally clicking after several shaky splits, and they’ve made calculated moves in CS2, tightening teamwork and picking up key wins in international tournaments.
But it’s the off server presence that separates FaZe. From clothing collabs and music crossovers to high production vlogs and behind the scenes docs, they’ve built a lifestyle brand that sells even when they’re not on a winning streak. Fans don’t just follow FaZe for highlights they follow for the entire experience.
At $500M, the number reflects more than prize money. It’s about reach, media savvy, and turning hype into a business model.
G2 Esports
With an estimated value of $485 million, G2 Esports has carved out a place near the top of the competitive scene and not by accident. This is an org that doesn’t just play the big titles; it contends for trophies. Whether it’s League of Legends, Valorant, or Rocket League, G2 fields lineups that stay relevant and threatening.
But G2’s value isn’t built on gameplay alone. The team has executed one of the most balanced international growth strategies in esports. Their appeal crosses borders, resonating heavily in both European and North American markets. They’ve leaned hard into content, roster personalities, and branding that feels global without losing its edge.
In a space measured not just by prize money but by fan touchpoints and market reach, G2’s blend of performance and presence keeps them firmly in the upper tier.
Team Liquid
Valuation Snapshot
Estimated Value: $460 million
Primary Titles: League of Legends, Dota 2, StarCraft II, Valorant, and more
Team Liquid continues to be a staple in top tier esports, holding firm as one of the most valuable organizations in 2026. Their steady financial and competitive trajectory has helped the team remain a trusted name across multiple disciplines.
Multigame Consistency
Few teams can match Team Liquid’s year over year consistency:
Maintains a strong presence in both legacy titles (like StarCraft II) and current powerhouses (such as Valorant)
Top tier performances across various tournaments and regions
Known for adapting early to games showing competitive potential
This range across genres and scenes gives Liquid a balanced portfolio of visibility, risk, and fan engagement.
Global Infrastructure & Operations
Team Liquid’s value isn’t built on performance alone it’s reinforced by a global, systems based approach:
Multiple training facilities worldwide, including in North America and Europe
Strong support staff infrastructure: coaches, analysts, mental performance professionals
Strategic partnerships with tech, apparel, and beverage brands expand their business reach
Their operational maturity gives them an edge, not just on game day but in year round business execution.
Why It Matters
Team Liquid sets a model for how esports organizations can blend competitive excellence with solid business fundamentals. Their focus on scaling the back end of esports as much as the front end showdowns keeps them in the upper tier of global esports valuations.
100 Thieves
Estimated at $450 million, 100 Thieves continues to be more than just an esports team they’re a modern lifestyle brand with a competitive edge. Their blend of gaming, fashion, and culture has created a fanbase that buys more than just merch they buy into the identity.
While their core still lives in gaming, 100 Thieves is pushing into apparel drops that sell out in hours, making them as recognizable off the stage as on it. This strategy isn’t just branding it’s revenue. Their success in Apex Legends and Valorant reinforces that they’re not slacking in competition either. The rosters are young, hungry, and showing up in key tournaments.
In 2026, success for a team like 100 Thieves isn’t just measured in trophies. It’s about moves that turn hype into long term value and right now, they’re executing on both fronts.
NRG Esports
Estimated at $430 million, NRG Esports had a standout year by doubling down on both gameplay and spectacle. Their Rocket League and League of Legends squads didn’t just show up they showed out, delivering high stakes wins and solid placements across international events. But trophies alone don’t get you into the top tier of esports valuations.
NRG’s edge continues to come from its commitment to building a media first brand. The team leans into entertainment, weaving competitive moments with personality driven content and creator collaborations. Backed by mainstream talent and viral ready media, NRG blurs the line between esports org and content studio. It’s not just about gaming it’s a show, a storyline, and a fan magnet all in one.
Cloud9
Estimated at $410 million, Cloud9 continues to prove that legacy and adaptability can coexist. While 2025 was uneven, 2026 has brought a noticeable resurgence especially in CS2, where a revamped roster has started pulling serious weight in international brackets. In League of Legends, refreshed strategies and stable leadership have regained the team relevance that had slipped in past seasons.
Off the stage, the organization hasn’t slowed down. Brand partnerships remain a backbone of Cloud9’s value model, tying authentic gaming culture with broader lifestyle content. They’ve maintained a tight feedback loop with their fanbase, launching co branded gear and leaning hard into community driven streams and activations. In a scene where hype burns fast, Cloud9’s been playing the long game. It’s paying off.
Fnatic
Estimated at $390 million, Fnatic remains one of the most battle tested names in esports. With roots going back two decades, the org has built a tight knit European fanbase that shows up online, in arenas, and in merch shops. Longevity like this isn’t common in the space, and it gives Fnatic leverage that newer orgs are still chasing.
In 2026, a lot of that heat is coming from their Valorant squad. Climbing steadily in global rankings, they’ve turned heads with a mix of young talent and seasoned leadership. They’re not spamming every title under the sun. Instead, Fnatic is focused and strategic, betting big where they see real upside.
It’s a clean example of what stable growth looks like in today’s volatile esports scene: legacy, core fans, and competitive grit.
Sentinels
Estimated at $375 million, Sentinels has earned its place in the top ten through bold roster decisions and sharp operational focus. The organization became synonymous with high stakes Valorant play, making waves through calculated player moves that often reshaped the meta overnight. Instead of relying on legacy prestige, they’ve doubled down on competitive edge.
Off the server, Sentinels has been investing heavily in infrastructure building out training facilities that mirror setups seen in traditional sports. These aren’t just showpieces; they form the backbone of long term performance. Talent development isn’t just a buzzword either. Sentinels has shown a real commitment to scouting emerging players, particularly from underrepresented regions, giving them the tools and stage to perform.
The formula is clear: spend where it counts, gamble when it matters, and keep refining the pipeline. That’s what keeps Sentinels not just afloat, but climbing.
Evil Geniuses
Estimated at $355 million, Evil Geniuses holds its ground not just through legacy, but resilience. As one of the oldest names in the game, the organization has weathered the turbulence that comes with two decades in competitive esports. And while turbulent might be an understatement especially considering recent internal shakeups the team’s strategic restructuring has started to pay off.
The big comeback? Dota 2. After slipping from top tier relevance in recent years, EG made calculated roster changes, revamped its coaching approach, and re committed to performance first competition. The result was a surprise deep run at The International and a reinvigorated fan base hungry for the old glory.
EG’s value isn’t just in nostalgia. Their comeback reminds the industry that with the right resets, even aging pioneers can still punch above their weight.
Performance vs. Production
More Than Just Wins
Team rankings and prize pools often grab the headlines, but success in esports is no longer measured by competition alone. In 2026, the most valuable organizations are the ones that know how to capitalize on their presence beyond the scoreboard.
What factors contribute to team value beyond gameplay?
Event Presence: Top tier teams are consistently featured at major tournaments and global fixtures, increasing visibility and brand reach.
Content Creation: From behind the scenes documentaries to lifestyle vlogs, content keeps fans engaged between matches.
Operational Strength: Strong management, talent development pipelines, and scalable infrastructure ensure stability and long term sustainability.
The Business of Esports Production
Behind every high performing team is a machine of media production, logistics, and promotion. Teams that invest in high quality visuals, creative branding, and professional streaming setups elevate their marketability and fan loyalty.
Key areas where production adds value:
Team branded broadcasts and event coverage
Merchandising and influencer led campaigns
Top tier social media output
For a deeper look at how events and storytelling impact team value, check out:
Behind the Scenes: How Esports Events Are Produced
Esports Organizations Are Evolving into Media Empires
By 2026, the top esports teams aren’t just teams they’re brands, production houses, and media studios rolled into one. The smartest orgs have stopped thinking like traditional sports franchises. Now, they’re building full stack operations that churn out daily content, score sponsorships, and sustain fandoms even during off seasons.
Game day wins still matter. Trophies lend credibility and attract attention. But long term value now comes from staying in front of your audience year round. That means behind the scenes vlogs, team documentaries, creator collabs, and branded mini shows. It means shifting from being competitive units to entertainment driven ecosystems.
Organizations like FaZe, 100 Thieves, and TSM get this. They’ve mastered the feedback loop between gameplay and content winning games brings in fans, content keeps them around, and the loyalty drives revenue. The result? A flywheel that attracts top talent, big brands, and media rights deals. In 2026, if your esports team isn’t thinking like a media company, you’re already behind.