Only one year after being acquired by US investor DCB Sports, UK-based organisation Guild Esports has reportedly been listed for sale on an insolvency marketplace.
Since being floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2020, the first British esports company to do so, the company’s stock has fallen over 90% from its peak.
What went wrong at Guild Esports?
Guild Esports was founded in 2018. Famously, the organisation was at one point part-owned by footballer David Beckham.
Initially, Guild Esports looked as though it could tap into the budding esports market and gain support through its star part-owner. The organisation successfully competed in various esports titles over the following years, including Apex Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike, and Sim Racing.
However, Guild Esports has become notorious in recent years for its continuous losses.
The last trading update for Guild Esports showed £1.8 million losses from September 2023 to March 2024. Their revenue also fell to £2.1 million in this same timeframe, despite high-profile partnerships with Sky and Subway.
The company is also facing criticism for missing payments to players who competed for the organisation in the past. One of their former Apex Legends players alleges that they are still awaiting money owed for competing in the summer 2024 Esports World Cup.
Guild Esports has also made significant investments in its Shoreditch headquarters, transforming the London location into an esports and events venue. They have also not slowed their expansion in 2025, despite evident financial difficulties.
Guild’s more recent investments include a 25% investment in GINX TV. As a result, the content company relocated to the Guild Shoreditch headquarters.
In August 2024, California investment firm DCB Sports purchased Guild Esports for £2.1 million. Approximately £100,000 of this £2.1 million was in cash, with the remaining £2 million being in liabilities.
Now, only a year after the DCB acquisition, Guild Esports is back on the market. This time, it is on an insolvency marketplace seeking bids with a submission deadline set for Friday, August 15th.
Futures of community and women’s gaming activations cast in doubt
Guild Esports has cemented itself at the core of London’s esports scene. The organisation frequently holds events at its headquarters and promotes regular community gatherings for gamers.
Most recently, Guild has been at the forefront of women in gaming initiatives with their Lobby Live program.
Lobby Live and its accompanying Lobby League have provided regular spaces for women to explore and network in gaming careers, as well as enjoy safe community spaces to interact and compete.
These events have included some of the most famous female figures in esports and gaming.
The Shoreditch venue was used for these projects as recently as August 9th. The Lobby League Powered by Sky Broadband hosted a Marvel Rivals tournament, which may be the last of its kind under current ownership.
These crucial grassroots activations may lose their home. With the company back on the market, accompanied by a rapidly approaching offer deadline and no comment from DCB Sports to any outlet at the time of publishing, their futures are cast in doubt.
Fans of Guild Esports’ esports rosters, events, and women’s gaming initiatives will anxiously await updates. This update may be from the organisation, its current owners, or its buyers.
Hannah is a writer specialising in the esports, gaming, and technology sectors. Working for outlets such as Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and of course ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, although it may never surpass her drive to passionately beat her friends in every game of Mariokart. You may have seen her at various esports and gaming events, including ESI London, EGX, Discover: Esports and many League of Legends watch parties.