ESL FACEIT Group lays off 80–90 employees amid strategic realignment

ESL FACEIT Group has carried out another round of layoffs, affecting between 80 and 90 employees, according to a report published on Wednesday, October 15, by Richard Lewis. This move is part of the group’s ongoing efforts to improve profitability under the ownership of Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of the Saudi sovereign fund, which continues to accelerate its push in that direction.

The information was confirmed through an internal email sent to staff and obtained by Richard Lewis. In the message, Niccolò Maisto, current CEO of EFG, referred to a “strategic realignment” aimed at “reduce complexity, streamline operations, and focus resources on areas with the biggest growth potential.” He added: “Critically, this marks the end of this phase of change. […] We’ve now established a truly sustainable foundation while not only preserving our core capabilities, but enabling us to better serve our partners and customers moving forward.”

This announcement adds to a series of restructuring efforts that have taken place since the 2023 merger of ESL and FACEIT. In March 2024, EFG had already cut around 15% of its global workforce, roughly 300 employees. These new layoffs come about three months after a previous report by Richard Lewis in late July, which mentioned an even larger reduction estimated between 250 and 350 positions.

Sources cited by Lewis indicate that the EMEA region, particularly the team in charge of the Esports World Cup qualifiers, was among the most affected. According to him, this decision could signal structural changes in how future events are managed, or even a potential outsourcing of certain operations.

When contacted by The Esports Advocate, an EFG spokesperson confirmed the job cuts—without specifying the exact number—while emphasizing the strategic nature of the move: “This was not solely about cost cutting, but a strategic realignment to reduce complexity, streamline operations, and focus resources on areas with the biggest growth potential.”

These changes also come amid significant turnover within the company’s leadership team. Following the departure of co-CEO Craig Levine in May, Rodrigo Samwell, a longtime executive and former Chief Marketing Officer, recently stepped down from his operational role to serve as a senior advisor.

Despite the turbulence, EFG’s leadership remains confident about the future of its operations, especially around the Esports World Cup. “We can now shift our full energy to building the future of esports," concludes the message to employees.