Team Liquid is one of esports’ most storied organizations. Founded as a humble Brood War clan in 2000, they entered the professional gaming scene with StarCraft II in 2010. Since then, Team Liquid has transformed into a global powerhouse, claiming countless trophies across multiple titles.

This isn’t just a guide on Team Liquid’s history, but a showcase of their glittering legacy. By the end, you’ll be up to speed on their background, road to success across multiple esports titles, teams, and most significant achievements.

Team Liquid’s History

Victor “Nazgul” Goossens founded Team Liquid in 2000 as a Brood War clan, handpicking players not solely for their skill but also for their attitude. Along with Joy “Meat” Hoogeveen, he launched TL.net in 2001, which quickly became a central hub for StarCraft enthusiasts.

This foundation led Team Liquid to host some of the biggest non-Korean tournaments for Brood War. Not satisfied with only being pioneers in the StarCraft scene, the organization continued to evolve into a multi-esports empire.

In 2015, Team Curse, a North American esports organization initially formed as a League of Legends team in 2011, was absorbed by Team Liquid. This merger marked the beginning of Liquid’s long-standing affinity with the region.

As Team Liquid expanded into more games, they quickly dominated, clinching victories at multiple championships, including Dota 2’s The International in 2017 and 2024, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s Intel Grand Slam in 2019, and four consecutive LCS titles in 2018 and 2019.

From countless trophies to Liquipedia—one of the most extensive esports encyclopedias to ever exist—and a legacy defined by world-class players, Team Liquid has set the standard for what an esports organization can achieve.

Team Liquid’s Esports Divisions

Dota 2

Of the three The International winners to have lifted the Aegis twice, Team Liquid’s timespan between both titles is the longest—and they remain the only esports organization to do so with two entirely different rosters. That alone speaks to Team Liquid’s enduring legacy in Dota 2.

The roster, headlined by potential GOAT Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi, dominated from 2017 to 2019, cementing the team’s place in esports history. Today, Team Liquid continues to attract the game’s best and brightest, building its next era around superstar mid-laner Michał “Nisha” Jankowski for 2026.

League of Legends

Team Curse’s NA roster was the precursor to Team Liquid’s success in the LCS. With legends like Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in, and Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg, their golden era came in 2018 and 2019, when they won four straight LCS titles and finished 2nd at the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational.

In recent years, Team Liquid has clawed their way back to the top, winning their first LCS title in five seasons with the 2024 Spring Split. They also placed joint-third at the Esports World Cup 2024 after falling to eventual champions T1 in the semifinals.

Counter-Strike

Throughout 2018 and 2019, CS:GO was dominated by Astralis. But for 63 glorious days, Team Liquid looked poised to end it, claiming the fastest-ever Intel Grand Slam by winning four titles in a row.

The addition of Jacky “Stewie2K” Yip to a steadfast NA core that comprised Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski, Nicholas “nitr0” Cannella, Keith “NAF” Markovic, and Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken proved a masterstroke. Then, suddenly, it all came crashing down.

An upset loss to Australia’s Grayhound Gaming at DreamHack Masters Malmö 2019 marked a shocking fall from their peak. Still, Team Liquid’s players have shown remarkable loyalty, with veterans NAF and EliGE continuing to represent the organization on its current CS2 roster.

VALORANT

Team Liquid fields a VCT EMEA roster led by stalwart IGL Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin, and another, the Brazilian Game Changers roster, led by Natália “daiki” Vilela. Their EMEA roster qualifies regularly for VCT and VALORANT Champions events, most recently sweeping GIANTX in VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2.

Even the Game Changers roster has continued to dominate the Brazilian scene alongside MIBR—and they’ll be aiming to convert championship aspirations into a title run at November’s Game Changers Championship.

StarCraft II

Team Liquid and StarCraft are forever intertwined, which marked the organization’s first step into professional esports. It also inspired one of the most iconic “GG” moments in gaming history: Jinro’s legendary 2010 GSL run, where he became the first foreigner to reach a Code S semifinal.

Their first Korean signing, Song “HerO” Hyeon-deok, spent five years with the team, notching consecutive victories at DreamHack Winter (2011 and 2012) and IEM Season VIII Cologne. Today, Team Liquid’s SC2 roster is led by prodigy Clément “Clem” Desplanches, one of the best SC2 players globally.

Other Teams

Some of gaming’s GOATs have worn the Team Liquid jersey, including Juan “Hungrybox” Debiedma (one of Smash Bros. Melee’s Five Gods) and GM Magnus Carlsen (the world’s top-rated chess player since July 2011).

Team Liquid also fields rosters in the following esports:

• Apex Legends
• Chess
• Crossfire
• EA SPORTS FC
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
• Overwatch
• PUBG
• PUBG Mobile
• Quake
• Rainbow Six Siege
• Teamfight Tactics
• World of Warcraft

Team Liquid’s Biggest Achievements

From world championships to regional dominance, Team Liquid has built one of the most decorated legacies in esports history.

FAQs

Who founded Team Liquid?

Victor “Nazgul” Goossens founded Team Liquid in 2000 as a Brood War clan. He was also one of the first foreigners to play in Korea.

What games does Team Liquid compete in?

Team Liquid fields rosters in Apex Legends, Chess, Counter-Strike 2, Crossfire, Dota 2, EA FC, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, League of Legends, Overwatch, PUBG, PUBG Mobile, StarCraft II, Quake, Rainbow Six Siege, Teamfight Tactics, and World of Warcraft.

Where is Team Liquid based?

Team Liquid has training facilities in three different cities across the globe: Los Angeles in the U.S., Utrecht in the Netherlands, and São Paulo, Brazil.

How can I support Team Liquid?

Team Liquid established its fan engagement platform, Liquid+, in 2020 and expanded it to the blockchain with MyBlue in November 2024.

References

1. TL.net – StarCraft Esports News and Community (Tl)
2. Liquipedia (Liquipedia)
3. Liquid+ Is Where Our Fans Connect – Professional Esports Organization (Team Liquid)
4. MyBlue (Team Liquid)