Guild Esports
British esports company
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guild Esports & Gaming LTD (formerly The Lords eSports PLC, Guild Esports PLC) was a United Kingdom-based professional esports company founded in 2019. The organisation was the first esports firm to be publicly traded in the United Kingdom, before being fully acquired by US-based sports company DCB Sports in October 2024, and delisting from the London Stock Exchange. The company closed in August 2025 citing "financial challenges and the current economic climate" as the reasoning behind their decision.[2]
| |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Esports |
| Founded | September 3, 2019 |
| Defunct | August 21, 2025 |
| Fate | Financial challenges |
| Headquarters | 2 Chance Street, Shoreditch, London, E1 6JT, United Kingdom[1] |
Key people |
|
| Owner | DCB Sports |
| Website | Official website |
Guild had competitive teams in titles including Rocket League, Valorant, Fortnite, FC 25, Sim Racing (Rennsport, iRacing) and PUBG Mobile. In addition to its competitive teams, Guild operated as a creative agency with an in-house studio, delivering campaigns that help brands reach a gaming audience. Past collaborations include campaigns for the Wicked movie, Karate Kid Legends, and Wild Robot. Guild also ran a Women in Gaming initiative with Sky called The Lobby - a mission to create more opportunities for women in the gaming community.
History
Guild Esports was incorporated on 3 September 2019 under the name The Lords eSports PLC.[3] The company launched publicly in 2020 and listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), raising £20 million in its IPO.[4]
In 2022, Guild signed a 10-year lease on a 9,831 sq ft facility in Shoreditch, London, which became their official HQ and training facility.[5]
In 2024, Guild joined the Esports World Cup’s Club Support Program, receiving a stipend to expand into multiple titles. That same year, Guild acquired Encore and a stake in Ginx TV, further expanding its media presence.
In October 2024, Guild Esports was acquired by DCB Sports, a US-based sports group, transitioning from a publicly traded company to a private one.
The company closed in August 2025 citing "financial challenges and the current economic climate" as the reasoning behind their decision.[6]
Esports
Guild operated in eleven titles:
- Fortnite
- FC 25
- Sim Racing (Rennsport, iRacing)
- PUBG Mobile
- Apex Legends
- Call of Duty: Warzone
- Rocket League
- Valorant
- Counter-Strike 2
- Mobile Legends
- Street Fighter V and other legacy FGC titles
Guild won multiple major trophies across games, including the Fortnite Champion Series and the Rocket League EU Spring Regional. In March 2025, Guild won the inaugural Racing Prodigy P3 Championship in Sim Racing.
Sponsorships and Partnerships
Former sponsors include:
- Sky Broadband
- Bitstamp
- Subway
- Samsung
- Coca-Cola
- Endx
- Sky Glass
Ownership and Media Assets
Guild Esports was fully owned by DCB Sports. In 2024, Guild acquired:
- A stake in Ginx TV, a UK-based gaming and esports television channel.
- Encore, a Los Angeles-based fan engagement and analytics platform.