Evil Geniuses to shut down esports operations on 2 November after 27 years

Evil Geniuses, one of the oldest and most decorated names in competitive gaming, is closing its doors. Chief executive Chris DeAppolonio announced on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, that the North American organisation will end its competitive and day-to-day operations on Monday, 2 November, bringing a run that began in 1999 to a close after 27 years.

Why EG is closing

DeAppolonio pointed to two pressures that have weighed on many Western esports organisations: limited sponsorship income and the rising cost of competing at the highest level. According to the statement, EG had restructured in recent years in an attempt to rebuild, but DeAppolonio said "the business cannot be operated responsibly in the current environment."

The organisation says it plans an orderly wind-down rather than an abrupt exit. The announcement was posted on EG's official social media channels and signed by the CEO.

What happens to the players

All players on EG rosters have been cleared to speak with other organisations immediately. Members of the VALORANT team, which competed in VCT Americas through 2026, and their coaches will be able to sign with new teams once the 2026 competitive season ends on 2 November. DeAppolonio also urged other teams and employers to consider EG's players, content creators and staff, offering to vouch for them personally.

Timing makes the situation harder for the VALORANT squad. Riot Games has trimmed each international VCT league from ten partner teams to eight for 2027, and EG does not appear among the confirmed partners for the next cycle, although the organisation's statement did not link its decision to that process.

A trophy cabinet few can match

EG was founded on Vancouver Island in Canada by a group of Quake players and moved into Counter-Strike in 2001. Over the following decades it fielded teams in Dota 2, League of Legends, Call of Duty, StarCraft II, Halo, Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, fighting games and more.

Its most famous moment came at The International 2015, when the Dota 2 roster beat CDEC Gaming 3-1 in the grand final. EG remains the only North American team to win Valve's flagship event, and that run made Syed "SumaiL" Hassan the youngest player to lift the Aegis of Champions.

Other highlights include the 2018 Call of Duty World League Championship, ESL One New York 2019 in CS:GO, the 2022 LCS Spring title, and VALORANT Champions 2023 in Los Angeles, where EG beat Paper Rex 3-1 to become the first North American world champions in the game. That final will be familiar to Southeast Asian fans, as Singapore-based Paper Rex were the beaten finalists.

Part of a wider trend

EG's exit is the second high-profile closure in a matter of weeks. Complexity Gaming, another long-running North American brand, announced its own shutdown on 23 September after 23 years. EG itself had already been shrinking for some time, leaving the LCS after the 2023 season and formally exiting Counter-Strike in January 2024.

For fans in Malaysia and the wider region, the news is a reminder that even storied brands depend on a commercial model that has been under strain since the post-2021 investment boom faded. Teams in Southeast Asia's mobile-first scenes, built around titles such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, have largely followed a different path, with leagues like MPL drawing large local audiences and sponsors.

Key takeaways

• Evil Geniuses will cease competitive and day-to-day operations on 2 November 2026.
• CEO Chris DeAppolonio cited limited sponsorship and rising competitive costs.
• All EG players may talk to other teams now; VALORANT players can sign after 2 November.
• EG's legacy includes TI5 (2015) and VALORANT Champions 2023 titles.
• The closure follows Complexity's shutdown announcement in September.

FAQ Q: When does Evil Geniuses officially stop operating? A: The organisation ends its competitive and day-to-day operations on Monday, 2 November 2026.

Q: Can EG's VALORANT players join new teams straight away? A: They can negotiate immediately, but VALORANT players and coaches can only sign with new teams after the 2026 season ends on 2 November.

Q: What were EG's biggest achievements? A: Winning The International 2015 in Dota 2 and VALORANT Champions 2023 stand out, alongside titles in Call of Duty, CS:GO and the LCS.

Sources: Dot Esports, Strafe, esports.gg