Evil Geniuses Announces Cessation of Operations in Valorant
Written with artificial intelligence.
Evil Geniuses will end its competitive and day-to-day operations effective November 2, coinciding with the end of VCT's 2026 contracts. This marks the conclusion of a notable era, as EG was the first North American organization to win an international trophy in Valorant.
End of an Era for Evil Geniuses
Evil Geniuses has officially announced that it will cease all competitive and operational activities as of November 2. This date aligns with the conclusion of the VCT's 2026 contracts and the commencement of free agency for the upcoming 2027 season. Chris DeAppolonio, CEO of Evil Geniuses, outlined the challenges the organization faced, including difficulties in securing sponsorships and rising competition costs.
Evil Geniuses made history as the first North American team to win an international Valorant trophy and the first to secure a Champions trophy during the partnership era. With the organization dissolving, all players, including those from the recently established Evil Geniuses Academy, will be available to negotiate with other teams immediately. As of November 2, all Valorant players and coaches will officially become free agents.
DeAppolonio emphasized the efforts made by the organization to remain viable, including attempts to stabilize operations and expand into new game titles. However, the financial landscape of esports proved too challenging to overcome. The announcement follows the conclusion of the eighth and final VCT Americas partnership spot, leaving Evil Geniuses without a place in the 2027 partnership.
Founded in 1999, Evil Geniuses has a rich history across various esports titles, though it has focused solely on Valorant in recent years. The organization previously fielded teams in games like Rocket League, DOTA 2, Counter-Strike, and League of Legends, but these teams were disbanded by 2024. DeAppolonio expressed gratitude to everyone associated with EG, acknowledging fans, players, and partners for their support over the decades.