Guild Esports and Bad News Eagles end Counter-Strike partnership

UK esports organisation Guild Esports and Kosovan roster Bad News Eagles have mutually ended their partnership.

Guild Eagles was formed in November 2023 with the Beckham-backed organisation expanding further into Counter-Strike after signing a women’s team earlier that year. Prior to joining Guild’s esports division, Bad News Eagles competed in the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, CS:GO’s last ever major. 

Since becoming Guild Eagles, the roster has failed to qualify for a large-scale international event. Most recently the roster was unable to qualify for the Esports World Cup Closed Qualifier after placing 3rd/4th in the European open qualifier.

Guild Esports told Esports Insider that despite parting ways with Bad News Eagles, the organisation plans to remain in Counter-Strike.

The statement reads: “Guild Esports decided alongside the Guild Eagles that it was the right decision to agree to mutually part ways. We’re very grateful to the full team for all of their hard work in the Guild jersey and we wish them all the best for the future.

“Guild will remain in Counter-Strike, keen to compete in the future, and this does not mark our exit from the title.”

Guild and Bad News Eagles’ decision to end its relationship comes at a time when the organisation is expanding into a range of esports titles. Ahead of the Esports World Cup, the UK-based organisation has entered into Tekken and Rennsport. Guild Esports was named alongside 29 other esports organisations as a partner for the Esports World Cup’s support programme. The programme provides financial capital to teams ahead of the Saudi Arabian government-backed multi-title event taking place later this year.