NEWS | Evil Geniuses, one of the best known names in esports, is closing for good. The team will stop all competing and daily work on November 2, 2026. The news came out on October 20 in a message from CEO Chris DeAppolonio, who said the shutdown will be handled in an orderly way, with support for every player, coach, and staff member affected. The closing date matches the last day of the 2026 VALORANT season.
The company has been around for more than 25 years and won big in Dota 2, fighting games, and VALORANT. It was the first North American team to win an international VALORANT trophy, and it took the Champions title in 2023. Leadership says it spent recent years fixing the business, improving its image, and adding new games and online creators. Even so, it decided it could no longer run the company responsibly. It blames a shortage of sponsors and the rising cost of competing at the top. That long history makes this a big moment for the scene.
What happens to the players
Players on every team can start talking to other organizations today. VALORANT players and coaches can sign new deals once their season ends on November 2, the same day the company closes. The CEO also asked employers who are hiring to give EG’s players, creators, and staff a look, and promised to personally vouch for each one. Anyone with an opening can contact him directly. Creators and behind the scenes staff are part of the plan as well.
This is BMN’s own view. The news comes less than a month after Complexity said it was shutting down after 23 years. Two long-running North American teams closing within weeks suggests the money problem is bigger than one company. Smaller teams face the same pressure with less cushion. For the players, the next few months will be a race to find new homes. Fans may see more familiar names go quiet if sponsors stay cautious.
If a name with a world title and 25 years of history cannot survive, who can?
