G2 Esports

European esports organization with multiple championship-winning teams.

G2 Esports, a European esports organization based in Berlin, was launched in Spain on 24 February 2014 as Gamers2 by ex-League of Legends player Carlos "ocelote" Rodríguez Santiago and investor Jens Hilgers. It changed its name to G2 Esports on 15 October 2015.

Quick Facts

Short name: G2
Founded: 24 February 2014
History: Gamers2 (2014–2015), G2 Esports (2015–present)
Location: Berlin, Germany
Owner: Jens Hilgers

Facts from the source article.

Organization

In September 2022, G2’s CEO Carlos Rodríguez stepped down after backlash over his connection to Andrew Tate. A viral video showed him at a party with Tate and his brother, leading to his suspension. Some analysts believe this cost G2 a spot in the 2023 Valorant Champions Tour. Rodríguez was banned from Riot events until November 13, 2022, and had to complete sensitivity and leadership training before returning to the LEC.

Current divisions

Gamers2 began its League of Legends division in 2014 with a roster of Jesper "Jwaow" Strandgren, Sebastián "Morden" Esteban Fernández, Carlos "Ocelote" Rodríguez, Soler "Yuuki60" Florent, and Hugo "Dioud" Padioleau. The team entered the Spring Expansion Tournament, defeating Reason Gaming and Team Strix before being eliminated by n!faculty. After failing to qualify for the LCS three splits in a row, the team finished first in the Challenger Series season and second in playoffs, then qualified for the 2016 Spring EU LCS by defeating SK Gaming 3–2. G2 finished first in the 2016 EU LCS Spring Split regular season, defeated Fnatic in playoffs, and won the 2016 EU LCS in Rotterdam against Origen. At the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational in Shanghai, the team took a vacation before the tournament and lost eight of ten games, costing the EU LCS its first seed for the 2016 World Championship. In 2018, G2 reached the semifinals of the League of Legends World Championship, losing to eventual champion Invictus Gaming; the team was known for unconventional bot lane picks, including AD carry Hjarnan's Heimerdinger.

Former divisions

G2 Esports signed the RLCS Season One world champions, former iBUYPOWER Cosmic, on 7 September 2016. After roster changes, the team won the ELEAGUE Cup 2017. They finished 7th–8th at RLCS Season 5 as the No. 1 seed from North America and 9th–10th in Season 6 as the No. 2 seed. On 7 January 2019, long-standing captain Cameron "Kronovi" Bills was dropped and Reed "Chicago" Wilen was picked up; G2 finished second at RLCS Season 7. In RLCS X, G2 had quarterfinal exits in two regional events before reaching the semifinals in the third. On 18 March 2021, Rizzo announced his retirement; 15-year-old Andres "Dreaz" Jordan stood in. On 2 January 2022, G2 traded Dreaz for Massimo "Atomic" Franceschi. This roster won the RLCS Winter Major 2022, G2's first RLCS LAN win in five years. At the RLCS 2021–22 World Championship as the No. 1 seed from North America, G2 went undefeated to reach the grand final, where they lost 4–1 to Team BDS.