Since 2015, OG Esports has been an absolute force in competitive gaming. The Danish giant, renowned for their dominant Dota 2 team, boasts the honor of being the first team to claim the Aegis of Champions two years in a row. But that’s not their only claim to gaming fame.
Throughout their journey, OG Esports has seized countless championship titles, including wins in Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) as they ignite fan passions with their unwavering pursuit of excellence.
Place your esports bets now on OG!
Table of Contents
OG Esports’ History
Join us as we delve into the nostalgic history of OG, where we recount how a circle of friends climbed to the apex of esports greatness, bound by their unshakable bond.
Birth of OG Esports
In October 2015, Johan “N0tail” Sundstein and Tal “Fly” Aizik founded OG Esports. Initially called “(monkey) Business,” they rebranded as OG following their victory at the Frankfurt Major 2015 against the formidable Team Secret, just a month after the team’s formation.
OG Esports’ early triumphs were propelled by star players Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi, Andreas “Cr1t-” Nielsen, and David “MoonMeander” Tan. Together, they clinched two more Major titles in 2016 — Manila Major and ESL One Frankfurt — earning a direct invite to The International 2016.
While OG Esports’ performance at The International 2016 wasn’t strong, they rebounded by claiming the Boston (2016) and Kiev Major (2017) titles, affirming their dominance albeit with different rosters. They later placed 7th-8th at The International 2017, setting the groundwork for future success.
OG Esports’ Early Years
During OG Esports’ formative years, the team underwent various roster shuffles but managed to preserve its core values. The team’s exceptional synergy also played a pivotal role as they conquered back-to-back historic championships at The International 2018 and 2019, forever cementing OG’s legacy in the esports pantheon.
The road to The International 2018 was challenging for OG. After losing three players, they had to compete in the EU Open Qualifiers. Despite that setback, OG persevered by recruiting Topson, Ceb, and Ana, advancing to the Group Stage, and ultimately defeating PSG.LGD in the Grand Finals.
Emerging victorious after all five matches, OG clinched the Aegis of Champions and more than $11 million in prize money. Defying expectations as underdogs, they toppled elite teams and carried the momentum into the following year.
In 2019, OG Esports triumphed again. They secured a direct invite to The International 2019 via the Dota Pro Circuit, went 14-2 in the Group Stage, and defeated Team Liquid 3-1 in the Grand Final. OG made history by winning $15.6 million and becoming the first back-to-back TI Champions.
OG’s Recent Years
In late 2019, OG Esports announced their foray into CS:GO and continued their run in Dota 2, albeit with many roster changes. At The International 2021, the Danish juggernaut placed 7th-8th, falling to Team Spirit. Later that year, several OG Dota 2 players retired from professional gaming.
Regardless, the OG Dota 2 and Counter-Strike divisions thrived while staying true to their motto: “against the odds.” They’ve since partnered with multiple sponsors, such as RedBull, SecretLab, Steelseries, and BMW. OG also launched three NFT drops to celebrate their achievements.
OG Esports’ Greatest Achievements
Today, OG reigns as a top-earning esports organization, amassing an impressive $37.5 million in prize money across 150+ tournaments. A staggering 97% of these earnings stem from their Dota 2 team’s victories at The International 2018 and 2019 alone.
In contrast, Evil Geniuses’ nearly 30-year run has yielded $26.6 million across 971 events. OG Esports’ rapid rise showcases their potential, so fans can look forward to celebrating many more triumphs from this fan-favorite powerhouse.
OG Esports’ Dota 2 Team
OG Esports’ Dota 2 team has etched its name into the annals of Dota 2 history. They were the first team to clinch The International Championship titles in 2018 and 2019, but that’s not where their story ends. OG’s legacy spans multiple other Tier 1 titles, including the Frankfurt Major (2015), Manila Major (2016), Boston Major (2016), and Kiev Major (2017).
Throughout their tumultuous journey in Dota 2 esports, OG has displayed an immeasurable level of resilience and adaptability, not to mention a penchant for rising to the occasion. “We don’t care for the status quo. We’re opportunists and risk-takers,” OG’s website reads.
In late 2021, OG revealed a “new generation of OG Dota 2,” introducing a new roster after their original members retired. Since then, the organization has continued to impress, claiming 1st place at ESL One Stockholm and Malaysia in 2022, and securing 4th-5th place at ESL One Berlin Major 2023.
- Artem “Yuragi” Golubiev
- Bozhidar “bzm” Bogdanov
- Dmitry “DM” Dorokhin
- Tommy “Taiga” Le
- Evgenii “Chu” Makarov
- Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen (inactive)
- Johan “n0tail” Sundstein (inactive)
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OG Esports’ CS:GO Team
In December 2019, the Danish titan stormed the Counter-Strike arena with a team of star players: NBK-, Aleksib, valde, ISSAA, and mantuu. Shortly after, OG endured multiple roster shuffles but maintained its momentum, consistently making an impact and dropping jaws in the FPS scene.
Over the next two years, OG Esports’ CS:GO team placed 1st-3rd in multiple championships, including Flashpoint Season 2 (2020), ESL Pro League Season 14 (2021), and BLAST Premier: World Final (2022). OG’s mix of seasoned pros and emerging talents make them a major player in the CS:GO landscape.
- Shahar “flameZ” Shushan
- Adam “NEOFRAG” Zouhar
- Maciej “F1KU” Miklasj
- Abdulkhalik “degster” Gasanov
- Nikolaj “niko” Kristensen (stand-in)
- Nemanja “nexa” Isaković (inactive)
Place your CS:GO bets!
Former OG Esports Rosters
Let’s explore OG Esports’ former rosters and venture beyond their successes in Dota 2 and CS:GO. We’ll also uncover the organization’s tenure in other competitive gaming realms.
OG Esports’ Valorant Team
In February 2021, OG entered the Valorant scene with players aKm, elllement, OniBy, TviQ, and uNKOE. After failing to qualify for VCT 2021: Europe Stage 1 Masters, the team continued its streak of underwhelming performance at the VRL 2022 France: Revolution Stage 1 and 2 events.
Eventually, OG retired its Valorant roster in favor of a joint OG x LDN UTD team for EMEA VCT Challengers Stage 2 in May 2022. However, the team’s performance continued to fall short of expectations. As a result, OG’s stint ended in October after failing to qualify for the 2022 Valorant Champions.
Place your Valorant bets!
OG Esports’ Super Smash Bros. Player
In May 2018, OG signed James “Swedish Delight” Liu to compete in the professional Super Smash Bros. fighting game scene. Representing OG until May 2019, Liu participated in various SSBM Singles events and accumulated nearly $7,000 in prize winnings.
OG‘s Socials
Below, you’ll find the OG Esports organization’s official website and social media accounts.
OG Esports FAQs
Think you’re the ultimate OG superfan? Explore some of these frequently asked questions (FAQ) and put your knowledge to the test!
Who Owns OG Esports?
OG Esports is an independent organization co-owned by Johan “N0tail” Sundstein and Sébastien “Ceb” Debs. The Venezuelan filmmaker Juan M.R. Luna was the CEO from May 2020 but transitioned to another role within the team in early 2023. His successor for the CEO position is unknown as of this writing.
When Was OG Esports Created?
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein founded OG Esports in August 2015 with members Miracle-, MoonMeander, Cr1t, and Fly. The organization was technically established as the Dota 2 meme team (monkey) Business after The International 2015. They adopted the title “OG” later, during the Frankfurt Major on October 31, 2015.
What Does “OG” Mean In OG Esports?
The true meaning of “OG” is open to speculation. However, the name likely means “Original Gangster.” In a 2015 interview with SirActionSlacks, founder N0tail jokingly referenced a community suggestion, “Orang-Utan Ganja.”
Not long after, OG Esports began trolling its fans by changing its social media descriptions with various humorous interpretations of ‘OG.’ To this day, the community remains mystified about the term’s real meaning.
How Does OG Esports Make Money?
Like most professional teams, OG Esports generates revenue through brand deals, merchandise sales, advertising, product endorsements, and tournament winnings. OG also receives money through content creation and streaming, and its NFT projects.
Can You Bet On OG Esports With Crypto?
Yes! Thunderpick is the ultimate crypto betting platform through which you can place bets on OG Esports’ matches with a range of cryptos, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin.
