As the esports landscape continues to evolve, 2025 is already shaping up to be a pivotal year, building on the explosive growth and dramatic moments that defined 2024. Last year saw record-breaking viewership across multiple esports titles, and the emergence of new powerhouse teams. From breathtaking underdog victories to the rise of fresh talent, the scene has never been more dynamic.
As we look ahead towards the rest of 2025, several teams stand out as ones to watch in the coming year. These squads are poised to either enjoy high viewership or demonstrate the potential to claim world titles. Many of these teams made waves in 2024, capturing regional championships, breaking viewership milestones, or undergoing transformative roster changes that could propel them to new heights. These teams are not just competing, but setting the stage for esports' next era.
League of Legends - KOI
KOI is one of esports’ most well-recognised Spanish organizations, as well as a strong contender internationally throughout various games. For 2025, the team’s League of Legends team is poised to not only be a strong contender for top finishes, but also lead to high viewership results. KOI's association with renowned Spanish streamer Ibai Llanos has historically bolstered their viewership numbers. Ibai's co-streams have attracted substantial audiences, significantly contributing to the team's popularity. If the team can compete at the highest level this year, ibai’s co-streams could well reach new heights.
In preparation for the 2025 League of Legends season, KOI has made some promising changes to their roster. Notably, they have acquired mid laner Joseph "Jojopyun" Pyun, a promising talent with a wealth of experience on international stages and an LCS championship under his belt already. Additionally, coach Bjørn-Vegar "Hansen" Hansen has joined the team, who was instrumental for the success of teams in the regional French circuit. These additions aim to strengthen KOI's lineup and competitive edge.
Throughout the 2025 LEC results so far, KOI have emerged as one of the region’s stronger teams. After a successful regular season where they finished with a 6-3 record, KOI advanced to the playoffs stage of the LEC, where they defeated Team BDS and GIANTX. Eventually, they were eliminated by Fnatic and finished in 4th, slotting in behind their region's top teams like G Esports and Karmine Corp.
KOI remains a formidable contender in the LEC. The integration of Jojopyun into the mid-lane is anticipated to enhance their in-game dynamics, potentially leading to improved performances in the 2025 season. With a refreshed roster and strategic leadership, KOI could be one of the LEC’s most exciting teams of the year, both in terms of raw performance and viewership.
Counter-Strike 2 - Team Vitality
Team Vitality has firmly established itself as a dominant force in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), with a long legacy of strong performances and championship results backing them. Since their exemplary results throughout 2023, when they claimed a Major title alongside other international victories, they slowed down slightly last year, only claiming one significant international win for the year. Now, the team has rejuvenated their firepower with the addition of Robin “ropz” Kool, who has already had a significant impact on the team.
The roster, led by their iconic in-game leader Dan “apEX” Madesclaire and featuring star players like Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, is one of the most feared lineups in the scene. ZywOo, often considered one of the greatest Counter-Strike players of all time, continues to deliver jaw-dropping performances, consistently securing his place as a contender for MVP awards. The addition of ropz in early 2025 has further bolstered the team’s depth, ensuring a balance of experience and fresh innovation.
The team’s first foray into 2025 competition saw them stumble slightly. At the BLAST Premier Bounty Season 1 2025 they were eliminated in their first match against the Turkish squad Eternal Fire, who have surprised fans with a string of successes in early 2025. However, Team Vitality recuperated and impressed with a lossless streak at IEM Katowice 2025, in which they claimed first place after defeating world-leading squads like FaZe Clan and Team Spirit.
As it stands, Team Vitality looks like one of the strongest Counter-Strike 2 contenders of the year. After dismantling Team Spirit at IEM Katowice this year, many fans felt that they had successfully solved the “donk problem”; in other words, stopping the ferocious firepower of young star Danil “donk” Kryshkovets. Team Vitality will likely emerge as one of the most popular Counter-Strike teams of the year, especially if they can continue to dominate tournaments, powered by the new addition of ropz.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang - Selangor Red Giants
The Selangor Red Giants have emerged as a dominant force in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) competitive landscape, particularly after their historic victory at the EWC X MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024. This milestone marked Malaysia’s first-ever international MLBB championship, propelling the team into global prominence and setting high expectations for 2025.
Regionally, the Red Giants have become icons of the Malaysian MLBB scene, inspiring a surge in local interest and grassroots development for the game. Their matches draw massive viewership as fans rally behind their nation’s champions. For the future, if Selangor Red Giants are able to continue to dominate at international events, this will only help the Malaysian audience for MLBB to continue to grow, and develop into one of the esports’ largest and most passionate viewer bases.
After claiming yet another MPL Malaysia championship towards the end of 2024, the team achived a podium place at the M6 World Championship, after losing to Team Liquid ID. A top three result for the team is promising for their international results coming up, and shows that the squad has easily established themselves as the most competitive team to emerge from Malaysia.
2025 has many opportunities for the Red Giants to prove themselves on the international stage. If the team is able to perform well at the Mid-Season Cup and other international tournaments, they could well help Malaysian viewership to reach new records for MLBB esports.
Valorant - Nongshim RedForce (former Sin Prisa Gaming)
Sin Prisa Gaming quickly rose through the ranks of Premier to become one of the most promising teams in the Valorant esports scene late last year. After an exceptional performance in late 2024, the team secured a coveted spot in the VCT Pacific League 2025, earning recognition for their tactical brilliance and team cohesion. With their sights set on international glory, the newly acquired roster of Nongshim RedForce is poised to be a strong contender for the Pacific circuit of the VCT.
The roster made headlines throughout 2024 as an impressive contender who emerged from the in-game Premier mode. Famously, the team was able to work their way through the Challengers circuit and even the ultimate Ascension event without losing a single match. In fact, across all of their matches, only three teams were able to take a map away from them. While expectations were high for the new roster of Nongshim RedForce, they struggled against more established Korean teams in the Kickoff event for the Pacific circuit.
Nongshim RedForce are representative of a larger, growing interest in Valorant from South Korean audiences. Players and teams from the country have begun dominating the Pacific circuit, with the top three placements of the VCT 2025: Pacific Kickoff all being taken by Korean organizations, represented by entire teams of South Korean esports professionals. Although Nongshim RedForce was unable to qualify for the currently on-going VCT 2025: Masters Bangkok, their potential is clear to see.
For the remainder of the 2025 Valorant Champions Tour season, Nongshim RedForce will have to overcome the top Korean contenders of their league, DRX, T1, and Gen.G, to qualify for international events. While the team didn’t qualify for Masters Bangkok, they still outperformed many more established squads, and if they are able to continue their upward momentum, they could quickly become key for growing Korean interest in one of esports’ fastest-growing shooter titles.
Dota 2 - Xtreme Gaming / Yakult Brothers
The 2025 Dota 2 competitive season is set to feature thrilling narratives, with Xtreme Gaming and Yakult Brothers at the forefront, thanks to a high-profile roster shuffle that has reshaped both teams. The player swaps between these rising Chinese powerhouses have created a unique dynamic, making them two of the most intriguing teams to follow this year.
Xtreme Gaming has bolstered its lineup by acquiring Yakult Brothers’ Wilson "poloson" Koh, replacing Jiang "天命" An who moved to Yakult Brothers along with Wang "Ame" Chunyu. The swapping of players between teams has given Chinese fans of Dota 2 a new storyline to follow with interest.
The roster moves have not only heightened competitive expectations but also fuelled a narrative of rivalry, with fans and analysts speculating about which team will come out on top in head-to-head clashes. Ultimately, viewers will be on the lookout for which of these rosters can better utilise the players.
While neither team has been able to topple the international competition at early 2025 tournaments, the year is still young, and these squads are nevertheless the forefront competition emerging from China. The country was previously a powerhouse of Dota 2 talent, and these new shaken up rosters for the 2025 season could help China once again become a formidable force on the international stage.
PUBG Mobile - Regnum Carya Esports
Regnum Carya Esports has quickly ascended the ranks of PUBG Mobile esports, becoming a standout team to watch in 2025. Representing Turkey, this team has captured global attention with their impressive performances in 2024, culminating in a second-place finish at the PUBG Mobile Global Championship.
The Turkish organization established themselves in the PUBGM esports scene in an organic way. After achieving strong regional results throughout previous years and early 2024, the squad was finally able to make the jump to the international stage. After achieving a middling result at their return to international events, the PUBG Mobile Global Open 2024, and struggling to perform on the wider EMEA stage, the team finally achieved international success at the end-of-year championship.
Heading into the PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2024, expectations were tempered by fans following their weaker international results throughout the year. The team seemed to be a middle-of-the-pack squad throughout the Group Stage, but they kicked into overdrive for the Grand Finals stage. The team achieved 3 total round wins, accumulating enough points that they finished only a singular point behind the ultimate event champions, Dplus. For 2025, Regnum Carya Esports could very well be one of the world’s strongest PUBGM teams.
Their growing success has also significantly boosted regional viewership for PUBG Mobile in Turkey. While it is difficult to imitate the massive boom in viewership recorded during the Coronavirus lockdowns, Turkish viewership has come close to its previous heights throughout 2024, which can be at least partially attributed to both the local and international success of Regnum Carya Esports. With a roster full of potential, innovative strategies, and unwavering support from their fans, they are undoubtedly a team to watch this year.
Apex Legends - Team Liquid
Team Liquid has long been a household name in the esports world, and their Apex Legends roster continues to uphold that legacy as a team to watch in 2025. After a short break from competition, Team Liquid returned to Apex Legends competition in mid-2024, building a roster that has quickly established themselves as a top contender from the South American scene, and a potential front-runner on the international stage.
Shortly after re-entering the scene last year, their squad quickly accumulated strong results on the international stage at events like the Esports World Cup and the second stage of the ALGS. The team also has been extremely dominant in their local BLGS tournaments, winning the Americas regional finals.
Beyond their in-game achievements, Team Liquid as an organization has cultivated a massive global fanbase. The organization’s strong branding and consistent content output on platforms like YouTube and Twitch have only amplified their reach, and as one of the most recognisable brands in esports, the team will likely quickly develop a strong following from both their local region, and internationally.
As we look to 2025, the excitement around these emerging and established esports teams only continues to grow. With ever-evolving strategies, roster changes, and regional rivalries, the year ahead promises to be a thrilling ride for fans and competitors alike. The teams we have highlighted could become game-leading titans of their esports scenes, or also lead to new records in both regional viewership and overall.
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