Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher has taken the crown at Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, defeating teammate Kai “Liereyy” Kallinger 5-3 in the Grand Final to secure Team Vitality’s first ever LAN trophy in Age of Empires II. The victory, which took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall, extends Hera’s remarkable run to 16 consecutive S-Tier tournament wins.

Back to reclaim his crown 👑

Last years Red Bull Wololo winner and the current King of AoE2@Hera_Aoe 🦁 pic.twitter.com/o38PYrJCwJ

— Red Bull Gaming (@redbullgaming) April 6, 2026

Team Vitality Dominate The Grand Final

Red Bull Wololo: Londinium wrapped up on 7 April with one of the most anticipated Grand Finals in recent Age of Empires II history, pitting two Team Vitality players against each other in a best-of-nine showdown. Hera came out on top with a convincing 5-3 scoreline, taking home US$50,000 in prize money, while Liereyy earned US$30,000 for his second-place finish.

The result meant Team Vitality were guaranteed the trophy regardless of the outcome, but Hera’s win carries particular weight. It marks his second consecutive title of 2026, following his triumph at T90 Titans League 5: Platinum League earlier in the year, and cements his status as the most dominant force in competitive AoE2 right now.

Fellow Team Vitality teammate Hernan “Hearttt” Pizarro rounded out an impressive showing for the organisation with a fifth-to-sixth place finish. Onimaru Esports’ The Viper and Wonders’ Sebastian claimed third-to-fourth place.

Red Bull Wololo: Londinium Prize Distribution

A Historic Venue For A Historic Win

Red Bull Wololo is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious tournament series in Age of Empires II esports, and the Londinium edition leaned into that reputation by hosting the event at the Royal Albert Hall, one of London’s most iconic venues. The tournament ran from 1 to 6 April, featuring a best-of-five round robin group stage before moving into single-elimination playoffs with rounds of six. The semi-finals were played in a best-of-seven format, building to the best-of-nine Grand Final in front of a sold-out crowd.

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Team Vitality’s Ambitions In Age Of Empires II

Danny Engels, Corporate Director of Global Operations at Team Vitality, framed the win as validation of the organisation’s push into Age of Empires II. Engels noted the team entered the tournament as clear favourites and were determined not to leave empty-handed, calling the first and second place finishes “exceptional results” and expressing pride in performing in front of the AoE2 community at such an iconic venue.

The organisation is not slowing down, either. Team Vitality will co-host their own major Age of Empires II LAN tournament alongside event organiser BEING Esports later this year. The Garrison 2026 is set to welcome up to 1,000 spectators in Hamburg, Germany from 25 to 29 November, adding another significant stop to what is becoming an increasingly active AoE2 esports calendar.

For Hera, the question now is whether anyone can break the streak. Sixteen consecutive S-Tier wins is a staggering run of form by any esports standard, and with Team Vitality investing heavily in the scene, the gap between him and the competition does not appear to be closing any time soon.

The post Hera Wins Red Bull Wololo Londinium, Clinches Team Vitality First AoE2 LAN Trophy appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

French esports organisation Team Vitality has officially expanded into Age of Empires II, unveiling a stacked roster featuring three of the most recognisable names in the scene.

The Age of the Vitality Empire is here 🐝

Incredibly proud and excited to present our new Age of Empires II roster@Hera_Aoe @HeartttAoE @Liereyy1

Time to dominate another title 💛 pic.twitter.com/Hzyjeo07HV

— Team Vitality 🐝 (@TeamVitality) January 15, 2026

Announced on January 15, 2026, Vitality confirmed the signings of Hera, Liereyy, and Hearttt, marking the organisation’s first move into Age of Empires esports and its second real-time strategy title alongside StarCraft II.

The announcement was paired with a confident message from the organisation, declaring the start of what it calls the “Age of the Vitality Empire”.

A Proven Trio With Championship Experience

Vitality’s new Age of Empires II roster brings together players with years of elite-level experience. All three have competed at the highest level across multiple eras of the game, building reputations as consistent tournament threats.

Hera, in particular, enjoyed a dominant 2025 season. Competing under GamerLegion, he won nine events in a single year, firmly establishing himself as one of the best Age of Empires II players in the world.

The trio also share a long competitive history. Between 2017 and 2024, Hera, Liereyy, and Hearttt played together under the Aftermath banner in both solo and team events, before the organisation disbanded in March 2024. That existing chemistry could prove crucial as Vitality prepares for upcoming international tournaments.

Age Of Empires Esports Continues To Grow

Vitality’s entry comes at a time of renewed momentum for Age of Empires esports. The scene has seen steady growth in viewership, sponsorship, and prize pools, helped by consistent developer support and high-profile events.

One of the biggest stages on the calendar is Red Bull Wololo, which heads to London in April for its eighth edition. The event will feature both Age of Empires II and Age of Empires IV, with the Age of Empires II tournament offering a $170,000 prize pool, underlining the scale the scene has now reached.

A Busy Start To 2026 For Team Vitality

The Age of Empires expansion caps off an active start to the year for Team Vitality. Earlier in January, the organisation unveiled its 2026 jersey as part of a new collaboration with French streetwear brand Fulllife.

Across other titles, Vitality’s Counter-Strike roster is currently competing in BLAST Bounty Season 1, while its Rocket League squad is battling through the RLCS Open as it pushes for qualification to the Boston Major in February.

With elite talent secured and momentum building across multiple games, Vitality’s move into Age of Empires II looks less like an experiment and more like a statement of intent.

The post Team Vitality Enters Age Of Empires II With Hera, Liereyy, And Hearttt appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Legends Clash in the Heart of London

The legendary Age of Empires tournament, Red Bull Wololo, is officially returning in 2026, and this time, it’s taking over one of the world’s most iconic cities. The eighth edition, aptly titled Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, will run from April 1 to 6, 2026, bringing together the best Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV players from around the world for six days of historic strategy and fierce competition.

Legends will rise when @RedBullGaming‘s #RedBullWololo returns in 2026!

Competitors from across the globe will descend on Londinium (London) to clash across centuries in AoE II: DE and AoE IV.

Save the date: April 4 – 6, 2026 https://t.co/DNdfMmiGvU pic.twitter.com/6VyHkmP7wG

— Age of Empires (@AgeOfEmpires) October 13, 2025

A Tournament Worthy of Empires

Red Bull Wololo has long been known for staging its tournaments in jaw-dropping venues, from castles in Germany to cathedrals in Spain. For 2026, the event will elevate its production even further with matches held across iconic London landmarks, culminating in a Grand Final at the Royal Albert Hall on April 6, in front of a live audience of over 3,000 fans.

The tournament will unfold in three stages:

• Group Stage: April 1–3
• Playoffs: April 4–5
• Grand Final: April 6

In total, the event will feature a $170,000 USD (around £128,000) prize pool, with the champion claiming $50,000 USD (about £37,700).

Tickets go on sale December 3, 2025, giving fans a chance to secure their spot for one of the most anticipated Age of Empires events in years. Those who can’t attend in person will still be able to catch all the action live on Red Bull Gaming’s Twitch and YouTube channels.

From Castles to Concert Halls

What sets Red Bull Wololo apart is how it blends history, architecture, and esports spectacle. Past editions, such as El Reinado in Spain and Legacy in Germany, have set a high bar for production value and atmosphere.

Now, with Londinium, the organisers are fusing Age of Empires’ medieval roots with the grandeur of modern London, creating a setting where the game’s centuries of warfare meet the city’s timeless landmarks. It’s a fitting evolution for a series that has become a cornerstone of Age of Empires esports since its debut.

Can Hera Defend His Crown?

All eyes will once again be on Hamzah “Hera” El-Baher, who dominated the 2024 Red Bull Wololo: Age of Empires II event with a decisive 5–1 victory over Ørjan “TheViper” Larsen. Hera has been on a hot streak, winning multiple Tier 1 events in 2025, including Warlords IV and The Garrison.

If he manages to defend his crown in Londinium, it could cement his place as one of the greatest Age of Empires players of all time. But with a new wave of challengers entering the fray, the competition will be fierce.

The Return of a Fan Favourite

While excitement is high, some fans have voiced disappointment over the absence of Age of Mythology, which received a major expansion earlier this year. Replies under the official announcement featured pleas for its inclusion, with one user writing, “Why drop Age of Mythology, especially right after a major expansion? It makes no sense!”

Still, the buzz around Red Bull Wololo: Londinium remains electric. Between the high-stakes matches, breathtaking venues, and a prize pool fit for kings, this 2026 edition is shaping up to be one of the most memorable chapters in Age of Empires history.

The post Red Bull Wololo Returns in 2026: Age of Empires Battles Head to London’s Royal Albert Hall appeared first on Shane the Gamer.