Why Liquid’s Team Gullit Deal Signals a New Era in Football Esports

Team Liquid’s acquisition of Team Gullit is a big, bold move. Coming in May, two months before the start of the 2025 Esports World Cup, it’s also perfect timing. With new rules requiring clubs to compete under a single name to rack up points in the $27 million Club Championship, this deal means Liquid can now fully capitalize on its EA FC roster. 

But this is more than just a name change. Team Liquid now has a brand-new European hub in Alkmaar, Netherlands, thanks to Team Gullit’s HQ, which will be used for training camps, team meetups, and fan events. It’s a major expansion play that strengthens Liquid’s global footprint while adding EA FC to an already stacked lineup. With support from top-tier partners like SAP and Alienware, and the guidance of Team Gullit’s co-founder Corné Dubelaar - now on board as an advisor - Team Liquid is all-in on becoming a force in the EA FC scene.

Rapidly Evolving

The esports scene, including football-based games like EA FC, is growing at an exponential rate. Team Liquid, as a leading example, is embracing this evolution, and its recent acquisition of Team Gullit underlines this. Understandably, as the market continues to grow, with projections to reach over $5.9 billion by 2029, more and more teams are integrating eFootball into their portfolios too.

Football clubs are now forming their own professional esports teams to tap into this expanding audience and boost revenue from streams like broadcasts, sponsorships, and merchandise. Buy-ins for top-tier esports competitions already rival the cost of entry into major football tournaments two decades ago, with figures ranging from $20 million to $50 million.

Recent research shows a strong link between gaming and live match attendance, better understanding of the rules, and even participation in football as a hobby. Titles like EA FC, eFootball, and NBA2K are no longer just entertainment; they're entry points into a broader sporting ecosystem. 

The digital transformation doesn’t stop there. In Britain, for example, innovative experiences like Live Football Roulette at leading live casino UK platforms are redefining fan engagement, blending real-time sports data with interactive gameplay to create new ways for people to connect with football. They’re even becoming more prominent than traditional casino games like blackjack and baccarat. It’s all part of a growing trend where esports, gaming, and digital platforms are reshaping how the sport is followed, played, and supported. Fans seem to be turning to hybrid experiences that combine passion for sport with cutting-edge technology and immersive digital interaction.

A New Chapter in Competitive Football

Team Liquid’s acquisition of Team Gullit marks more than just a strategic roster move, it also signals the accelerating evolution of football in the digital age. As esports continues to reshape how fans engage, Liquid is leading the charge with competitive ambition and global infrastructure. It also has a clear eye on the future of football, and eFootball, both on-screen and off.