Why look beyond 100 Thieves
100 Thieves, founded by Matthew 'Nadeshot' Haag in 2017, has established itself as a prominent esports organization with significant presences in Valorant and League of Legends. The organization secured the 2021 VCT Stage 2: Challengers Finals title in Valorant, indicating its competitive capabilities in that title. While 100 Thieves maintains a brand identity that combines esports with lifestyle and apparel, fans and technical buyers may seek alternatives for several reasons.
Some users might be interested in organizations with a broader game portfolio beyond Valorant and League of Legends, potentially including titles like Counter-Strike 2 or Dota 2. Others might prioritize teams with a longer history of international success or multiple championship titles across various major esports scenes. A focus on specific regional dominance or different competitive philosophies, such as a strong emphasis on player development or a more globalized roster, could also be factors in exploring other options. Additionally, individuals looking for organizations primarily known for their performance in other Tier 1 esports may find alternatives more aligned with their interests.
Top alternatives ranked
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1. T1 โ A dominant force in League of Legends and a growing presence in Valorant
T1 is a South Korean esports organization recognized for its consistent performance, particularly in League of Legends. The organization's League of Legends team, featuring Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok, has won multiple World Championship titles, establishing T1 as a global powerhouse in the game. While 100 Thieves has a strong LCS presence, T1's historical dominance and international legacy in League of Legends are distinct.
Beyond League of Legends, T1 has expanded its competitive footprint into Valorant, hosting a team that competes in the VCT Pacific league. This expansion demonstrates T1's commitment to maintaining relevance across multiple Tier 1 titles. For fans and technical buyers interested in an organization with a proven track record of championship success and a global brand presence in core esports titles, T1 offers a compelling alternative to 100 Thieves. Its systematic approach to talent development and consistent high-level performance across its primary games positions it as a significant entity in the esports ecosystem.
Best for: League of Legends dominance, international championships, established esports legacy.
Official site: T1.gg
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2. Natus Vincere (NAVI) โ A multi-game esports giant with strong roots in Counter-Strike
Natus Vincere, commonly known as NAVI, is an esports organization founded in 2009 with a history of success across multiple titles, most notably Counter-Strike. NAVI's Counter-Strike teams have secured numerous major tournament victories, including a PGL Major championship, showcasing their consistent performance at the highest level of competition. While 100 Thieves competes in Valorant, NAVI offers a deep legacy in tactical shooters with its Counter-Strike heritage.
In addition to Counter-Strike, NAVI has competitive teams in Valorant and Dota 2. Their Valorant roster competes in the VCT EMEA league, demonstrating their continued investment in the tactical shooter genre. This multi-game approach, particularly their established success in games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2, differentiates NAVI from 100 Thieves, which primarily focuses on Valorant and League of Legends. For those seeking an organization with a broader portfolio of successful teams in different genres and a long-standing history in esports, NAVI provides a robust alternative.
Best for: Counter-Strike 2 legacy, multi-game competitive rosters, international tournament wins.
Official site: NAVI.gg
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3. FaZe Clan โ Global entertainment and esports brand with a diverse competitive presence
FaZe Clan is a North American esports and entertainment organization that originated in Call of Duty trick-shotting and has evolved into a global brand. While 100 Thieves also blends esports with lifestyle, FaZe Clan's reach extends across a wider variety of games and content creation. They maintain competitive teams in titles such as Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, and Rocket League, among others. Their Counter-Strike 2 team has achieved significant success, including multiple IEM Katowice titles and a PGL Major championship, highlighting their competitive prowess in a different tactical shooter compared to 100 Thieves' Valorant focus.
FaZe Clan's Valorant team competes in the VCT Americas league, positioning them as a direct competitor to 100 Thieves in that specific title. However, FaZe's extensive network of content creators and their broad engagement across various gaming communities provide a distinct offering. For fans interested in an organization with a strong entertainment component alongside competitive esports in multiple Tier 1 games, FaZe Clan presents a comprehensive alternative.
Best for: Multi-game competitive rosters, strong content creator network, broad gaming entertainment.
Official site: FaZe Clan.com
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4. G2 Esports โ European powerhouse with strong teams in League of Legends and Valorant
G2 Esports is a prominent European esports organization known for its competitive teams across multiple titles, including League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2. In League of Legends, G2 has been a dominant force in the LEC, securing numerous regional titles and making deep runs in international tournaments like the World Championship and MSI. This consistent high performance in League of Legends offers a direct comparison to 100 Thieves' LCS presence, with G2 often having a more pronounced international impact in the game.
G2's Valorant team competes in the VCT Americas league, placing them in direct competition with 100 Thieves. The organization is known for its aggressive playstyle and strong team synergy in Valorant, often challenging top contenders. G2's brand is also characterized by its vibrant personality and engagement with its fanbase. For technical buyers and fans seeking an organization with a strong European competitive identity, consistent high-level performance across key titles like League of Legends and Valorant, and a distinct brand, G2 Esports is a notable alternative.
Best for: European dominance, consistent high performance in LoL and Valorant, strong brand identity.
Official site: G2 Esports.com
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5. Fnatic โ A historic esports organization with a diverse game portfolio
Fnatic is one of the oldest and most established esports organizations globally, founded in 2004. With a long history of competitive success across numerous titles, Fnatic has built a legacy in games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and Valorant. Its League of Legends team was the inaugural World Champion in 2011 and has maintained a strong presence in the LEC, consistently challenging for regional titles and qualifying for international events. This extensive history and consistent performance in League of Legends provides a deep competitive background that contrasts with 100 Thieves' more recent entry into the scene.
Fnatic's Valorant team competes in the VCT EMEA league, demonstrating their continued investment in the tactical shooter genre. Their Counter-Strike team has also achieved significant success throughout the years, including multiple Major championships. Fnatic's ability to maintain competitive teams across various top-tier esports for over a decade, combined with a dedicated global fanbase, makes it an attractive alternative for those looking for an organization with a rich history, diverse game presence, and consistent competitive drive.
Best for: Historic esports legacy, multi-game competitive success, global fanbase.
Official site: Fnatic.com
Side-by-side
| Feature | 100 Thieves | T1 | Natus Vincere (NAVI) | FaZe Clan | G2 Esports | Fnatic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2012 | 2009 | 2010 | 2015 | 2004 |
| Primary Focus | Valorant, LoL | League of Legends | CS2 | CS2, Valorant | LoL, Valorant | LoL, Valorant, CS2 |
| Key Strengths | NA LoL, Valorant, Lifestyle Brand | LoL dominance, international championships | CS2 legacy, multi-game presence | Multi-game, content creation, global brand | European LoL, Valorant, strong brand | Historic legacy, diverse game success |
| Notable Titles | 2021 VCT Stage 2: Challengers Finals | Multiple LoL World Championships | CS:GO PGL Major, numerous CS2 titles | IEM Katowice, CS:GO Major | Multiple LEC Titles | LoL World Championship 2011, CS:GO Majors |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | Seoul, South Korea | Kyiv, Ukraine | Los Angeles, USA | Berlin, Germany | London, UK |
How to pick
Selecting an esports organization as an alternative to 100 Thieves depends on specific preferences for game titles, regional focus, competitive history, and brand identity. Consider the following decision-tree style guidance:
- If your primary interest is League of Legends dominance and international championship pedigree:
- Consider T1. Their consistent success in the League of Legends World Championship, particularly with Faker, makes them a top choice for fans prioritizing competitive excellence in that title. T1 also has a growing Valorant presence.
- Alternatively, Fnatic offers a rich history in League of Legends, including the inaugural World Championship title, and a strong European LEC presence.
- If you are looking for an organization with a strong legacy in tactical shooters, particularly Counter-Strike 2:
- Natus Vincere (NAVI) stands out. With a long and successful history in Counter-Strike, including Major wins, and a competitive Valorant team, NAVI provides a deep-rooted tactical shooter experience.
- FaZe Clan is another strong contender, having achieved significant success in Counter-Strike 2 and maintaining a competitive Valorant roster, alongside a broad entertainment brand.
- If you prioritize an organization with a diverse competitive presence across multiple Tier 1 titles and a strong entertainment or lifestyle brand:
- FaZe Clan excels in blending competitive esports with a broad content creation and lifestyle brand, covering games like CS2, Valorant, and Rocket League.
- While 100 Thieves also has a lifestyle component, FaZe's reach and multi-game competitive footprint are more extensive.
- If you prefer a European-centric organization with consistent high performance in League of Legends and Valorant:
- G2 Esports is a leading choice. They have consistently dominated the European League of Legends scene and field a competitive Valorant team in VCT Americas, known for their aggressive play and strong brand identity.
- If historical significance and sustained multi-game competitive success are key factors:
- Fnatic, founded in 2004, offers one of the longest and most decorated histories in esports, with significant achievements in League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and Valorant over many years.
- Consider the specific game titles you follow most closely:
- For a strong focus on both Valorant and League of Legends, T1 and G2 Esports are direct competitors and strong alternatives, each with distinct regional strengths.
- For a broader tactical shooter interest that includes Counter-Strike 2, NAVI and FaZe Clan offer more depth than 100 Thieves.