A new global study has ranked Team Liquid as the most successful esports team of all time, cementing its legacy at the very top of competitive gaming. The December 2025 report, published by digital entertainment platform JB, analysed the world’s biggest esports organisations using a detailed Success Index that combines competitive results, earnings, viewership, and social reach.
The research paints a clear picture of how far esports has evolved, from small online competitions into a global industry that rivals traditional sports in scale, professionalism, and prize money.
How The Rankings Were Calculated
The study examined leading esports teams from around the world and scored them using a Success Index ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate stronger overall performance across several key metrics.
These included total tournaments played, all time prize money, earnings during 2025, peak viewership in 2025, number of matches played that year, and follower counts on YouTube and Twitch. This approach allowed the research to balance long term legacy with recent competitive impact.
You can access the complete research findings and methodologies here.
Team Liquid Takes The Top Spot
With a perfect Success Index score of 100, Team Liquid stands alone at number one. Founded in 2000, the Dutch organisation has competed in an astonishing 2,977 tournaments over 25 years, more than any other team in the study.
Across that period, Team Liquid has earned over US$56 million in prize money, the highest total of all teams analysed. In 2025 alone, they competed in 570 matches and brought in close to US$2.4 million, while also reaching a peak viewership of 2 million fans during major events.
Their dominance across multiple esports titles and consistent presence at the highest level were key factors behind their top ranking.
Team Falcons Surge After A Huge 2025
Second place belongs to Team Falcons, following an outstanding 2025 season. The Saudi Arabian organisation earned nearly US$2.8 million during the year, competing in 54 tournaments and playing 543 matches.
Team Falcons also recorded a 2025 peak viewership of 1.8 million and boasts one of the largest YouTube audiences in esports, with around 3.8 million followers. Their recent success highlights the rapid growth of esports in the Middle East.
Team Spirit’s Efficiency Pays Off
In third place is Team Spirit, a team known for making the most of fewer appearances. Since forming in 2015, Team Spirit has only entered 307 tournaments, yet has already earned more than US$36 million in prize money, the second highest total overall.
Their peak viewership in 2025 reached 1.7 million, with a growing fanbase that includes over 400,000 YouTube subscribers. Despite a smaller tournament footprint, their high impact performances pushed them into the global top three.
Team Vitality Leads France’s Esports Charge
France’s Team Vitality takes fourth place after a strong year on the international stage. Founded in 2013, Team Vitality has competed in 524 tournaments and earned roughly US$13.4 million in total prize money.
In 2025 alone, they collected nearly US$3.1 million, matching Team Spirit’s earnings for the year. The organisation also continues to grow its audience, with over 290,000 followers on Twitch and more than 417,000 on YouTube.
FaZe Clan’s Social Media Power
Rounding out the top five is FaZe Clan, the most followed esports brand in the world. FaZe Clan boasts 8.5 million YouTube subscribers and nearly 600,000 Twitch followers, giving them unmatched reach on social platforms.
While their competitive results in 2025 were quieter, earning around US$226,000, their long term success is undeniable. Since 2010, FaZe Clan has entered 801 tournaments and accumulated more than US$21 million in prize money.
The Top 10 Most Successful Esports Teams
| Rank | Team | Number Of Tournaments | Total Prize Money | Peak Viewers 2025 | Matches Played 2025 | Success Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Team Liquid | 2,977 | $56 million | 2 million | 570 | 100 |
| 2 | Team Falcons | 404 | $14 million | 1.8 million | 543 | 82 |
| 3 | Team Spirit | 307 | $36 million | 1.7 million | 290 | 80 |
| 4 | Team Vitality | 524 | $13 million | 1.8 million | 311 | 79 |
| 5 | FaZe Clan | 801 | $21 million | 1.3 million | 193 | 64 |
| 6 | Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) | 869 | $24 million | 2.6 million | 389 | 59 |
| 7 | Gen.G Esports | 264 | $12 million | 3 million | 284 | 57 |
| 8 | T1 | 517 | $16 million | 3.5 million | 189 | 48 |
| 9 | G2 Esports | 781 | $19 million | 1.4 million | 400 | 42 |
| 10 | Virtus.pro | 735 | $21 million | 1.3 million | 409 | 40 |
Esports Now Rivals Traditional Sports
Commenting on the findings, JB’s CEO emphasised how outdated perceptions of esports have become. He noted that modern esports organisations operate like professional sports franchises, employing coaches, analysts, and support staff, while signing players to contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
He also pointed to Team Falcons winning US$7 million in a single tournament during 2025, a prize pool larger than what many traditional sporting events offer to their champions.