According to Sheep Esports sources, Austrian Force willhaben will be acquiring GamerLegion's Prime League 1st Division spot in 2024. After losing against GL in the promotion tournament and ending as runner-ups, the team may have found a way into the big league regardless.
Bringing Austria back to the DACH ERL
Since WAVE Esports
relinquished their spot to Eintracht Frankfurt in late 2022, the Prime League has observed a considerable absence of Austrian representation. With this move, AFW aims to put their country back on the map and show the DACH region the extent of their ambitions.
In the early months of 2023, this Austrian organization
struck a substantial partnership with willhaben, one of the largest digital marketplaces in the country. This strategic move also involved the absorption of TT willhaben, another of Austria's longest standing esports teams.
During the most recent competitive season, AFW achieved its most impressive performance in the Prime League to date, dominating the 2nd Division and securing two consecutive titles. Unfortunately, their impressive run would hit a roadblock in the 1st Division promotion tournament, during which they were unable to advance.
However, fate appears to be favoring the Vienna-based organization, as sources indicate that they are now the leading candidates to fill the vacancy left by the German organization GamerLegion. The reasons behind GL's departure from the league remain unknown at the time of writing this article.
Established in 2007, Austrian Force is most known in their home country for their deep ties to the local grassroots scene, frequently assisting in organizing LAN parties and other offline events.
Sources tell Sheep Esports that the organization will be entering the 1st Division with ambitious plans. While their roster for the 2024 season remains unknown as of now, the team is currently aiming to reach the EMEA Masters and dominate the Prime League for the first time in its history.
