In case you have not noticed, eSports is one of the most dominant sectors in the global gaming industry. Pro-competitive gaming has exploded in popularity over the past decade, captivating millions of fans worldwide with thrilling competitions and compelling gaming opportunities. eSports has also captured the attention of leading brands from across a spectrum of industries and influenced everything from gaming titles to hardware. 

Thanks to prominent streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube, anyone anywhere can watch professional gaming content, including live streams and replays of major eSports tournaments. However, aside from playing eSports games, one of the best ways to enjoy everything this exciting discipline has to offer is to follow and support a top-ranked eSports team.

Choosing an eSports Team

Choosing an eSports team to follow and support is very much like picking a favourite team in traditional sporting events such as football or baseball. There are plenty of reasons why you might decide to favour one team over another, but it is typically a very personal and even emotional choice. 

However, it is worth taking a more strategic approach in deciding which team to follow, especially if you are thinking of branching out into eSports betting (more on that below). 

Firstly, it makes sense to focus on the game or games that you are most interested in. Some teams specialise in playing one game, while others participate in a variety of different tournaments and leagues. If you are new to eSports, pinpoint those players who perform exceptionally well in your favourite game or franchise. 

You might also decide to support an eSports team by following an individual player. The important thing about teams of pro gamers is that they bring together a range of different personalities, meaning there will be at least one player with whom you will resonate more. It is important to remember that some of the larger names in the industry, like Evil Geniuses, operate with rotating roles to improve performance and prevent conflict, so do not get too attached to an individual personality. 

On the other hand, basing your decision about who to follow on a team’s playing style will expose you to a group of players that you will find the most engaging. Whether you enjoy watching a team that takes a more calculated, strategic approach to play, or one that centres showmanship, you can decide who to follow using based on your preferences. 

Supporting your Team 

Once you have chosen an eSports team to follow, you can support them in all sorts of ways, from engaging with their social media profiles to purchasing merch and, of course, watching them play in person. Some eSports fans are so committed to their teams that they will travel around the world to watch them compete in top-tier tournaments.

While we are not recommending that you become an instant groupie, you may want to consider backing your chosen eSports team in the next major event they compete at. Betting on pro gaming is becoming increasingly popular, meaning there are a number of online gambling platforms that allow you to enjoy eSport betting odds as well as plenty of other money-saving promotions. 

Top 10 eSports Teams 

Now that you know what type of team you would like to follow and have a better idea of how you will support them, let’s glance at the top 10 esports teams in the world right now. 

Team Liquid

First established in the year 2000, Netherlands’ Team Liquid is the top-performing pro gaming crew in the world. Originally playing solely in the game StarCraft, over the years, Liquid has expanded its reach to League of Legends, CS:GO, Fortnite and Dota 2, in which it won the biggest prize on the 2017 eSports circuit. 

Fnatic

This British-Swedish team famously made a name for itself by racking up wins in Counter-Strike, including three CS:GO Majors titles. Founded in 2004, the team has competed in over one thousand leagues and tournaments, including Dota, LoL and Heroes of the Storm. 

OG

OG are typically Dota 2 specialists, although they also compete in CS:GO tourneys, and they are perhaps best known for racking up consecutive wins at The International from 2018 to 2019. Over the years, the organisation has been the home of some of the most talented individual gamers on the circuit, including Johan “N0tail” Sundstein and Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka. 

Faze Clan

A team that is pushing the boundaries of pro gaming, FaZe Clan is both an esports team and an entertainment powerhouse. Typically playing in Call of Duty and CS:GO, the team has a strong social media presence thanks to the iconic content creators on its roster. 

Team Spirit

Found at most top-tier CS:GO, Dota 2, Hearthstone and LoL tourmates, Team Spirit is a Russian eSports organisation that is currently climbing the ranks of popularity. Although they have been on the scene for some time, Team Spirit players really captured the world’s attention in 2021, when they racked up victory after victory to win the Dota International and a grand prize of $18.2 million. 

Evil Geniuses

As far as US teams go, none have had the impact of Evil Geniuses. An OG team from 1999, the Geniuses are a major name in the gaming industry and have helped to establish the eSports sector as the entertainment behemoth it is today. 

Ninjas in Pyjamas

Sweden’s Ninjas in Pyjamas have carved quite an illustrious history in competitive gaming. Known for their excellence in CS:GO, the Ninjas have incredible team chemistry and the tightest strategy in the game. 

G2 Esports

Germany’s G2 is a huge eSports organisation with players competing in everything from CS:GO to League of Legends (earning over $6 million in prize money in the process). More recently, G2 has established teams in Rainbow Six Siege and Rocket League, as well as Valorant, in which both its male and female players have been setting the scoreboard alight. 

OpTic Gaming

This high-ranking Valorant team has enjoyed first-place and podium finishes throughout the entire Valorant Champions Tour in 2022. Moreover, the team competes in Call of Duty and Heroes of War, earning almost $10 million in prizes. 

Invictus Gaming

Invictus are MOBA specialists, excelling in the likes of Dota 2 and League of Legends. Founded in 2011, Invictus is headquartered in China and feature players from China, Malaysia, and South Korea.