Team Liquid has acquired Dutch EA FC team Team Gullit, inheriting a world-class roster and expanding its presence in football esports ahead of the 2025 Esports World Cup.
Global esports giant Team Liquid has officially acquired Team Gullit, one of the most iconic names in competitive EA FC (formerly FIFA). This acquisition marks a major move in Team Liquid’s ongoing global expansion and deepens its commitment to football esports as the 2025 Esports World Cup approaches.
Founded in 2018 and named after legendary Dutch footballer Ruud Gullit, Team Gullit gained prominence as the world’s first independent EA FC academy. Rather than pursuing high-profile signings, the organization became known for scouting and developing young talent. Its academy system has produced world-class players, including Emre Yilmaz (eChampions League 2023 winner), Levi de Weerd (European Champion), and Manuel Bachoore (2023 FIFA World Champion). These stars will now compete under the Team Liquid banner.
The acquisition follows a successful partnership between the two organizations during the 2024 Esports World Cup, where Team Gullit players represented Team Liquid and contributed significantly to its second-place finish in the Club Championship, earning a $4 million prize. Manuel Bachoore notably placed in the Top 8 in EA FC, helping Team Liquid accumulate vital points.
This move also strategically aligns with the 2025 Esports World Cup rules, which mandate that organizations must compete under a single name to collect Club Championship points. By bringing Team Gullit into the fold, Team Liquid ensures it can earn EA FC points toward the competition’s massive $27 million prize pool.
The acquisition includes the transfer of Team Gullit’s full roster and staff, along with continued collaboration with existing partners such as Philips OneBlade, SAP, and Alienware. The Team Gullit HQ in Alkmaar, Netherlands, will be retained as a regional hub for Team Liquid operations, enabling local bootcamps and community events.
Co-founder Corné Dubelaar will step away from daily operations but will remain an advisor, while fellow co-founder Schalk Stalman emphasized the cultural and commercial growth of EA FC through this transition. “In my view, Team Gullit can prosper further under the wings of Team Liquid,” said Stalman.
Team Liquid’s Co-CEO Victor Goossens praised Team Gullit’s entrepreneurial spirit, noting the acquisition as a testament to the team’s scouting, training, and marketing excellence. “The Team Gullit HQ will become another Team Liquid hub in the Netherlands, where we can host bootcamps and events for fans. We’re proud and grateful to call them part of Team Liquid.”
This acquisition follows Team Liquid’s purchase of STUN.GG and its Mobile Legends: Bang Bang teams last year, as the organization continues to diversify its competitive presence. With EA FC now added to its roster of games, which already includes League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, Starcraft II, Overwatch, and Chess, Team Liquid cements its status as one of the most diversified and dominant forces in global esports.
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