FNATIC is one of the most iconic esports organizations in the world. Founded in 2004, they initially competed as a Counter-Strike team, but rapidly transformed into a global powerhouse. With several titles, a huge fanbase, and dozens of partner deals under their belt, FNATIC’s journey has been nothing short of spectacular.

This article will bring you up to speed with FNATIC’s history, esports divisions, teams, and achievements.

FNATIC’s History 

FNATIC was founded in London on July 23, 2004, by Sam and Anne Mathews. The organization quickly established its dominance in Counter-Strike during its early years—a run of success that earned it two “E-Sports Team of the Year” awards in 2006 and 2009.

Not long after, FNATIC expanded into new titles throughout the late 2000s and early 2010s, including World of Warcraft, Defense of the Ancients (DotA), and League of Legends (LoL), a title in which they became the first team ever to win the prestigious World Championship (Worlds).

In the years that followed, FNATIC fielded rosters in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Dota 2. They also returned to Heroes of Newerth to claim the HonTour Season 5 title, later competing in games like Rocket League, Rainbow Six Siege, PUBG Mobile, and VALORANT.

This success has led them to secure major partnership deals with BMW, Hisense, Hello Kitty, and other notable brands. With over $20 million in prize earnings and a legacy built on innovation and dominance, FNATIC has grown into one of the world’s most recognized esports organizations.

FNATIC’s Esports Divisions 

Counter-Strike 

FNATIC is among the most recognized esports teams in Counter-Strike. Their legendary run began with a CPL Singapore victory in 2005, followed by dominant performances in CS 1.6 that included titles at CPL Winter 2006, DreamHack Summer 2012, and more. 

Later, the FNATIC CS:GO roster entered a Golden Age, triumphing at DreamHack Winter 2013, ESL One Katowice 2015, and ESL One Cologne 2015 back-to-back. Today, the FNATIC CS2 side maintains a strong presence at major events, consistently ranking among the best CS2 teams.

VALORANT

FNATIC entered VALORANT in 2021, and while they didn’t initially win any S-tier titles, they did secure victories at two VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Challengers events and Superdome 2022. By the following year, the FNATIC VALORANT team was dominating the international stage.

They won both VCT: LOCK//IN São Paulo and VALORANT Masters Tokyo titles in 2023, becoming the first team to secure two consecutive VCT titles. Since then, FNATIC has remained a powerhouse in VALORANT, maintaining regular top-five finishes at the highest level of play.

League of Legends 

FNATIC’s League of Legends team is among the most iconic in esports history. The LoL veterans started at the top, winning the Riot Season 1 Championship in 2011. After that, they followed up with strong finishes at DreamHack Winter 2012 and Thor Open 2012.

In 2013, FNATIC claimed both the EU LCS Spring and Summer events, triggering a dominant run that saw them win five more LCS tournaments by 2018. Since 2019, they’ve consistently clinched high placements and remain a formidable force at major events.

Dota 2

FNATIC’s Dota 2 journey began in 2008, when they won the Make Games Colorful tournament in Wuhan, China. Since then, they’ve maintained a respectable reputation in the Dota 2 esports scene, with several top 10 finishes in major events under their belt.

FNATIC’s Dota 2 roster has long represented the Southeast Asia (SEA) region, competing in multiple iterations of The International. Their best run came in 2016, when they secured an impressive fourth-place finish. However, FNATIC withdrew its roster from the Dota 2 scene in 2023.

Apex Legends

FNATIC entered Apex Legends in 2022, debuting at the ALGS Championship with a strong fourth-place finish. Representing APAC North, they went on to win the 2022 ALGS Split 1 Pro League, followed by clinching the ALGS 2023 Split 2 Pro League and ALGS 2024 Split 1 Pro League titles.

While FNATIC’s Apex Legends division is yet to secure an ALGS Playoffs or Championship title, the team has consistently delivered strong performances, regularly placing within the top 10—the only exception being the ALGS 2025 Open, where they placed 26th.

Other teams

Aside from its major esports divisions, FNATIC has competed in several other titles, such as:

• EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA)
• Rainbow Six Siege
• PUBG Mobile
• StarCraft II
• Fortnite
• Overwatch
• Rocket League
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Teamfight Tactics
• Call of Duty
• SMITE
• Paladins
• Halo
• World of Warcraft
• Street Fighter
• Mortal Kombat
• Hearthstone

Out of all FNATIC’s esports divisions, Dota 2 remains the most profitable one for FNATIC, having earned close to $5.5 million in prize money over the years, followed by earnings from CS:GO ($5.3 million), LoL ($3.5 million), and VALORANT ($1.4 million). 

FNATIC’s Biggest Achievements 

FNATIC has one of the most decorated trophy cabinets in esports history, boasting several titles across its various divisions.

FAQs 

What country is FNATIC from?

FNATIC is based in London, England.

Who owns FNATIC?

FNATIC is owned by Sam Mathews and Anne Mathews.

What has FNATIC won in VALORANT?

FNATIC has won VCT 2023: LOCK//IN São Paulo, VALORANT Masters Tokyo 2023, and VCT 2024: EMEA Stage 2.

Which esports titles does FNATIC compete in?

FNATIC currently competes in CS2, Apex Legends, LoL, Fortnite, VALORANT, Rainbow Six Siege X, EA Sports FC, TFT, and CoD Warzone.