2024 has been a monumental year for esports, marked by game-changing signings that have reshaped the competitive landscape and captivated millions of viewers worldwide. As the livestreaming industry continues its rise, these high-profile player acquisitions have not only boosted team performance but also driven record-breaking viewership statistics across major platforms.
In an era where esports has evolved into a billion-dollar industry, the influence of star players extends far beyond the server. Teams are increasingly looking to recruit players with big fanbases to amplify their brand presence and engage broader audiences. This year, we’ve witnessed some of the most talked-about transfers in esports titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2.
One major motivator for esports organizations in 2024 was the Esports World Cup. The multi-game esports festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted world championship events for various esports games, including industry leaders, mobile gaming titles, and even more niche genres like Street Fighter esports. The Club Program of the cup offered six-figure stipends for some lucky esports organizations, with these companies also motivated to field teams for all EWC systems through the Club Championship; which boasted millions to win for the most successful organization of the festival.
Throughout 2024, Saudi Arabian organizations Twisted Mind and Team Falcons made the most signings out of any organization. These statistics are provided by the Esports Charts Transfers database, which tracks transfers of players behind esports organizations across the entire industry. Aside from these two top performers, other highly active esports organizations included both North American and Southeast Asian organizations.
Industry-leading games like Counter-Strike and League of Legends were as active as always, but major competitor Valorant was actually the leading hub of transfer activity ahead of these two. Other minor esports titles, such as Rocket League and Overwatch, are still vibrant with a vast community of competitive players.
As esports organizations push for global dominance, signing powerhouses with loyal audiences has become a strategic move to capture growing viewership markets in North America, Europe, and Asia. Whether it's a Valorant superstar or the return of a legendary League of Legends player, these signings have sparked endless conversations on social media and livestream chats, proving the immense impact of esports in 2024.
Counter-Strike 2
S1mple joins Falcons Esports on loan
The esports world was abuzz as Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev, one of the greatest players to ever touch the game of Counter-Strike, joined Falcons Esports on loan. This move marked a new chapter for both s1mple and Falcons, who attempted to qualify for the Shanghai Major with the Ukrainian. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Counter-Strike history, s1mple's acquisition by Falcons highlighted the team’s plan to create a superteam. The Ukrainian’s impeccable aim, unmatched game sense, and charismatic personality made him a legend in CS:GO. His tenure with Natus Vincere (NAVI) is one for the books, highlighted by a PGL Major Stockholm 2021 victory and a peak viewership (PV) record of 2.7 million during that tournament.
Falcons Esports’ bold move to add s1mple to their roster highlighted the organization’s understanding of how to spread their brand in Counter-Strike. This move didn't just boost Falcons’ potential for winning; it also elevated their Counter-Strike 2 viewership, as they were the most popular team at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: European RMR A, even though they ultimately failed to qualify. For s1mple, this was an opportunity to prove himself in Counter-Strike’s new release, CS2. Although the team did not qualify for the Major, they still enjoyed some of their strongest viewership with s1mple in tow.
Snax and malbsMd join G2 Esports
G2 Esports doubled down on its efforts to dominate the Counter-Strike 2 competitive scene by signing two pivotal players: Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski and Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa. This dual acquisition represented a blend of seasoned experience and rising talent, promising to reshape the competitive landscape in 2024. Snax, a Major-winning veteran with a storied career, brought decades of experience and a reputation for clutch plays. His strategic insights are invaluable for a G2 roster hungry for consistency at the highest level as he has taken over the In-Game Leader role in-game and will be supported by his former teammate, and now G2 coach, TaZ.
On the other hand, malbsMd adds youthful dynamism to the lineup. As one of South America's brightest stars, malbsMd has consistently impressed with his raw aim and aggressive playstyle. After years in South America’s Counter-Strike scene, malbsMd made a name for himself in the North American circuit with M80 before joining G2. At the time G2 were already a powerhouse in CS with a loyal fanbase, having reached a peak concurrent viewership of over 2.74M PV during the 2021 Major against NAVI. With Snax and malbsMd onboard, G2 is gearing up for a deeper run in future tournaments and potentially claiming the elusive Major title.
Currently, G2 Esports have progressed to the Elimination Stage of the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, where they will be hopefully putting their strength on show. This roster change had the community talking, with many fans discussing Snax, whose legacy still makes him a popular figure. His popularity with long-time fans of Counter-Strike has served him well as he has recently achieved top ranks at recent BLAST events.
Brollan loaned to and eventually acquired by MOUZ
After a lengthy period on the bench under the organization Ninjas in Pyjamas, Swedish player Brollan returned to top-level Counter-Strike with MOUZ. Since signing the young Swedish star, MOUZ have become a top-level team within the esports title. They claimed championships of multiple third-party events in 2024 from the likes of ESL and BetBoom, and they are scheduled to play in the Shanghai Major quarterfinals on December 12.
Brollan joined MOUZ early in 2024 on a temporary loan from Ninjas in Pyjamas. With Brollan loaned, MOUZ won the ESL Pro League Season 19 and BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024. After the Swede’s performances, the German organization managed to negotiate a permanent acquisition of Brollan. The Swede is now officially representing the legendary German organization on the top level of the global Counter-Strike industry, and bringing massive attention to his organization through high placements at events.
League of Legends
Doran joins T1 & Zeus joins Hanwha Life Esports
The 2024 offseason for League of Legends has brought seismic roster changes in the LCK, with Choi "Doran" Hyeon-joon joining T1 and Choi "Zeus" Woo-je heading to Hanwha Life Esports (HLE). These moves have reshaped the competitive landscape of one of the most-watched esports leagues globally.
Doran, formerly a top laner for Hanwha Life, Gen.G, and other Korean organizations, brings consistency and experience to T1, a team already legendary in the scene. Doran is expected to bolster T1's already star-studded roster. With T1 consistently attracting record-breaking viewership, including a peak of 6.94M at the 2024 Worlds Finals, this signing is monumental for fans and analysts alike.
Meanwhile, Zeus, a rising star, joins HLE in a move that signals the organization's ambition to become a championship contender. Zeus' aggressive playstyle and solo-carry potential make him one of the most exciting players to watch. HLE, who have been a strong competitor globally, are positioned to climb up the ranks in the new 2025 landscape. These roster changes promise to elevate the LCK's competitiveness and draw even more global attention to the league.
Disguised Enter LTA in 2025
Esports organization Disguised is set to make their mark in the LTA North 2025, marking a significant expansion in the League of Legends ecosystem. The team have gained fame for their innovative approaches and robust fan engagement, making their entry into the new North American circuit particularly exciting.
Disguised, led by popular content creator Jeremy “Disguised Toast” Wang, has already established a strong foothold in esports through its Valorant roster. The League of Legends Disguised team was created to compete in the tier-two Challengers circuit, but in the upcoming year, they have been invited to compete in the Guest slot during the North conference. Toast’s signing of his Challengers team has quickly become a foray into the top-level competition for the continent. Toast has been known to receive high viewership for co-streams of high teams games, especially when collaborating with other content creators. Their presence in the LTA will attract unique international audiences.
By combining the regional circuits of the Americas in 2025, Riot Games are hoping to consolidate the viewership from this region. Disguised bring unique branding, a substantial fan base, and commitment to fostering talent, signaling a bright future for the league. This expansion promises to invigorate the North American esports ecosystem while offering fans new storylines to follow in the lead-up to the 2025 season.
Valorant
Sentinels sign johnqt & Zellsis
Following a lackluster entry to the 2023 VCT season, Sentinels were motivated to keep their strong brand image alive in Valorant esports, and return to top-level competition. Early during the off-season before the 2024 VCT, Sentinels signed johnqt and Zellis. The latter player initially joined as a substitute, but was quickly moved to the starting roster as the team began to experiment.
Johnqt is a Moroccan in-game leader who found success organically in Valorant’s tier-two tournaments. After a collecting some experience in teams, Johnqt joined M80, whom he would lead to almost an Ascension victory and franchised VCT spot. The team failed at the final hurdle, finishing 2nd in the Ascension 2023 event. Johnqt’s efforts were quickly noticed by several, especially his mid-round decision-making and calling for his team. He was quickly picked up by Sentinels to lead their new, refreshed roster in 2024.
The change to Sentinels roster was short-but-sweet. During the VCT 2024 season, Sentinels won the American Kickoff, won Masters Madrid, and finished 4th at Champions. Now, both Sacy and TenZ have retired, and Sentinels have brought in bang and N4RRATE to replace the departing talent. Whether Sentinels will continue their strong performances under Johnqt’s leadership in 2025 only time will tell.
Aspas moves to MIBR, after going to Leviatán from LOUD
MIBR made one of the biggest splashes in Valorant’s 2024 offseason by signing Erick "aspas" Santos, a superstar known for his incredible aim and high-pressure performances. Formerly a cornerstone of LOUD, aspas was instrumental in their championship runs and has been a fan favorite for his explosive playstyle.
\With LOUD’s peak viewership surpassing 1.5 million during the VCT 2022 Championship, aspas’ move to Leviatán signaled a new chapter for both the player and the team. Leviatán, based in Latin America, has been steadily rising as a formidable force in Valorant esports. Adding aspas to their roster positioned them as a serious contender for international titles in 2024.
After a year under Leviatán, aspas has now moved back to a Brazilian organization: MIBR. This move is not just a boost for MIBR, but also for the entire Latin American Valorant scene; if MIBR is able to perform strongly and give aspas a chance to shine, this could boost the number of Portuguese-speaking viewers in Valorant even more. Fans are eager to see how aspas adapts to his new team and whether MIBR can reach competitive success in Valorant with their almost entirely new squad.
Bonus: Florescent becomes first GC player to join VCT
Following florescent claiming back-to-back Game Changers Championships, she has officially become the first GC player to make the jump to the Valorant Champions Tour. Next year, she will compete with Apeks in the VCT EMEA circuit, following Apeks’ ascension through the Challengers circuit in 2024.
After winning the Ascension event, many of Apeks’ players left to join other VCT teams, and the organization was forced to rebuild a roster for the top-level next year. Florescent is the first announcement from Apeks’ during this offseason; there is still no clear view of their 2025 roster available as of now.
Dota 2
Team Falcons builds a star roster
At the end of 2023, Team Falcons made another attempt at an expansion into Dota 2. The team had fielded rosters for the MOBA title before, but never found much success. As Team Falcons has become known for in other esports title, the team signed some of the most impressive Dota 2 talents from around the world to build a team with. After finding their feet, Team Falcons quickly turned into one of the most promising and competitive teams for Dota 2 in 2024.
Throughout the year of competition for Team Falcons, the achieved three separate DreamLeague titles, a championship at ESL One Birmingham 2024, and won both major BetBoom Dacha events of the year. Although Team Falcon’s roster boasts multiple The International titles under their belts, the team faltered at the Valve-sponsored event in 2024. The team managed a strong fourth place, but many fans of the organization felt they were strong enough to claim a world championship. Team Falcons is in a prime position to continue their Dota 2 endeavour and enjoy serious benefits from the massive exposure.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Team Liquid enters MLBB
In a massive shake-up in the MLBB mobile esports industry, Team Liquid acquired Stun.gg, who were the owners of esports organizations AURA Esports and ECHO. These two teams were two of MLBBs most historic names, with ECHO even claiming a world championship for the Philippines. Team Liquid entered MLBB by taking over the players signed to the multiple teams underneath these organizations.
Team Liquid combined multiple rosters and mashed teams together to create two strong rosters for both of MLBB’s major audiences: MPL Indonesia and MPL Philippines. In Indonesia, Team Liquid ID quickly found their feet, claiming a MPL championship in Season 14. After less than half a year since entering MLBB, Team Liquid ID had already claimed one of its most prestigious titles. Over in the Phillippines, the Team Liquid roster found immediate success both regionally and internationally at the MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024.
By entering the mobile gaming esports title by acquiring two established teams, Team Liquid have ensured their immediate top-level exposure from MLBB esports. The organization’s quick success have helped them build a fanbase, and create a foothold in these Southeast Asian markets for Team Liquid.
Aurora Gaming enters MLBB
Aurora Gaming has officially entered the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competitive scene, marking a significant expansion for the organization. This move comes at a time when MLBB is experiencing unprecedented growth, with its tournaments regularly attracting millions of viewers.
Aurora Gaming is entering a highly competitive Filipino scene, having signed many players from region-leading organization Blacklist International. Their entry to the scene marks new international interest, and high hopes for the professional league’s potential. MLBB’s global popularity, which saw peak viewership surpass 5 million during key 2023 tournaments, ensures Aurora Gaming will be in the spotlight as they embark on this journey.
Although Aurora Gaming was unable to achieve success at the M6 World Championship, their entry to the league was a strong start to the MLBB journey. The Serbian organization sees potential in the quickly growing mobile esports industry, which is taking over Southeast Asia. This expansion signifies the continued growth and global appeal of Mobile Legends esports.
Sutsujin signs with RRQ Hoshi
RRQ Hoshi, one of the most storied organizations in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), has signed Arthur “Sutsujin” Sunarkho, a rising star with immense potential. Known for his sharp mechanics and ability to perform under pressure, Sutsujin is an exciting addition to RRQ’s already formidable lineup.
RRQ Hoshi has long been a fan favorite, with their matches often drawing millions of peak concurrent viewers during major tournaments. They are one of the most popular Indonesian organizations in MLBB, and they managed to sign Sutsujin away from EVOS, a long-standing competitor from their region. Adding Sutsujin not only strengthens their roster but also reaffirmed their commitment to staying at the forefront of MLBB esports.
This signing was a strategic move as RRQ looks to reclaim their championship dominance in 2024. Fans are eager to see how Sutsujin adapts to the high-pressure environment of a top-tier team and whether he can deliver performances that elevate RRQ Hoshi back to the top. This move has already generated buzz across the MLBB community, setting the stage for an exciting competitive season, and potentially bringing higher viewership numbers from Indonesian fans.
Players with massive streaming followings bring unparalleled value to teams, serving as both top-tier competitors and brand ambassadors who can generate millions of hours of watch time. This year’s most influential moves demonstrate how the fusion of esports and livestreaming platforms is shaping the future of entertainment.
Beyond viewership statistics and record-breaking contracts, 2024 has highlighted the importance of storytelling in esports. Fans are not just watching games; they’re following the careers of their favorite players, celebrating their triumphs, and supporting their journeys. The excitement generated by these signings is a testament to the power of esports as a global cultural phenomenon. As we look ahead, these landmark signings will undoubtedly continue to influence the growth of the livestreaming industry, ensuring that esports remains at the forefront of digital entertainment for years to come.
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