OG is $3.3M in debt and Dota 2 might not be enough to save them

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OG’s debt is bigger than anyone would have expected, according to their financial report: USD 3.3M

In the thick of their most daunting hurdle yet – a substantial debt amounting to approximately $3,332,102 – OG Esports, consecutive TI champions, find themselves in financial straits, as per their 2024 financial report which shows a total loss of €2,919,146. This extensive, 32-page document not only presents figures but paints a poignant picture of a prominent Dota 2 titan struggling to keep its head above water.

For devoted fans, it’s heart-wrenching. OG has been one of the few reliable organizations consistently active in Dota 2 for a long time. It’s where Sébastien “Ceb” Debs crafted his victorious comebacks. It’s the team that instilled faith in the strength of camaraderie among gamers.

In the analysis provided in the report, OG attributes their financial issues to shifts in publisher backing, tournament formats, and income strategies, which can be interpreted as a subtle nod towards Valve and the Dota 2 community. The absence of the Battle Pass, the unpredictable circuit for tournaments, and insufficient support for lower-tier teams have left organizations struggling with hefty player wage bills without a reliable source of income to cover these costs.

For some time now, OG has been running at a deficit. In the year 2023 alone, the team incurred a loss amounting to approximately €832,473 (equivalent to $965,130). However, the leap to almost €3M in losses by 2024 is quite astounding. Some supporters have raised concerns about hiring additional staff during an economic slump, as OG concluded 2024 with a total of 27 employees, which was two more than the previous year.

What are OG’s next steps to solve their debt?

Organizational Giant (OG) is heavily investing in the Asia-Pacific region as part of their broader strategy to tap into the Chinese market. This ambition is consistently emphasized in their financial reports. This strategic move aligns with their foray into mobile esports, where they’ve collaborated with Tencent to compete in Honor of Kings, finishing 8th at EWC 2025. Similarly, in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, OG has joined forces with Selangor Red Giants, fielding a Malaysian team that is currently advancing through the knockout phase.

Although the debt continued to grow, OG’s total profit margin experienced a modest increase, climbing from €788,248 in 2023 to €836,877 in 2024. However, this uptick is insufficient to compensate for their accumulating losses.

The company has instigated internal adjustments, appointing a Strategic Partnership Manager and a China-based Regional Leader, aiming to uncover more consistent business prospects beyond Dota 2. Following their non-qualification for TI 2025, they disbanded their LATAM team but continue seeking participation in European Tier 2 competitions.

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2025-08-03 12:40