Esports Jobs in 2026: Team Liquid Cuts Staff Again as Fnatic Hires a League GM

The esports jobs market sent mixed signals through late August and September 2026. One of the biggest organisations in the world cut staff for the third time in a year, two organisations closed or paused operations, and at the same time some teams were hiring for senior leadership roles. Here is what happened, and what it means for anyone working in or looking for esports jobs.

Team Liquid: a third round of layoffs

Team Liquid began a new round of global layoffs affecting staff across multiple departments, first reported by The Esports Radar. According to CyberScore's summary of the report, employees were notified on 26 August and the number of people affected has not been disclosed.

It is the organisation's third reduction in roughly twelve months. Dust2.us notes that the first round, in September 2025, affected 6% of Liquid's 300-plus global workforce, with a second round following in March 2026.

The reported reason is a weaker financial forecast and lower revenue targets, rather than reported losses. CyberScore points out that in May 2026 co-CEO Steve Arhancet said the organisation had generated more than $60 million in revenue the previous year and had been profitable for three consecutive years. Shane the Gamer adds that the loss of a Honda partnership was cited by sources as a factor, that Liquid declined to comment, and that the organisation's careers page has continued to list openings in Jakarta and Manila — so this is a restructuring, not a full hiring freeze.

Liquid finished fifth in the Esports World Cup 2026 Club Championship, worth $2 million.

Closures: Complexity and ODDIK

On 23 September, founder Jason Lake confirmed that Complexity has shut down after 23 years. According to Inven Global, Lake said most of his former colleagues have already found new roles. The same day, HLTV reported that Brazilian organisation ODDIK had suspended its esports operations indefinitely and released most of its Counter-Strike roster.

Fnatic: hiring a dedicated League of Legends GM

Not every story is about cuts. After what the organisation called its "worst year" in League of Legends, Fnatic is recruiting a dedicated general manager for its LoL division. Sheep Esports reports that Chief Gaming Officer Patrik "cArn" Sättermon had been handling the department alongside his wider responsibilities, and admitted that was not enough.

"It's not enough for our coaches. It's not enough for players to have someone like myself doing that," cArn said during an X Space on 21 September. Fnatic expected to onboard the new hire within two or three weeks, and the general manager is expected to help shape the 2027 roster. No appointment had been announced at the time of writing.

The team finished the 2026 LEC Summer Split 3-6, missed the playoffs and failed to qualify for Worlds for the first time since 2016, according to Sheep Esports. Fnatic is also reviewing its coaching structure, player support and a possible return of an academy team.

What this means for esports careers

Two patterns stand out. First, cuts are landing hardest on staff outside the competitive teams — Shane the Gamer notes one affected Liquid employee was looking for work in social media, community management and production. Second, organisations still need senior operators, and when a leader is stretched across too many jobs, the gap shows up in results.

That second point is one many businesses outside gaming will recognise. When a company needs senior leadership before it can justify a full-time hire, or while it searches for one, it can bring in an interim or part-time executive to cover the gap. A fractional recruitment agency such as Fractional Quest recruits fractional, interim, part-time and permanent executives in the UK, and its guide to interim recruitment agencies covers how that market works.

If you are looking for your next role in the industry itself, Esports Jobs Quest lists esports jobs across teams, publishers, broadcasters and event organisers, and MVP covers recruitment across gaming and entertainment.

Sources

• CyberScore: Team Liquid begins staff cuts amid worsening financial outlook
• Dust2.us: Liquid undergoes third round of layoffs in twelve months
• Shane the Gamer: Team Liquid layoffs reportedly hit staff worldwide
• Sheep Esports: Fnatic prepares for major "clean slate" rebuild ahead of 2027 LEC season
• Inven Global: Complexity shuts down after 23 years
• HLTV: ODDIK pause esports operations

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